The piece that didn’t make the NY Daily News
Recently I was asked by an editor at the NY Daily News to write opinion piece on the recent “dust up” (if you want to call it that) between Al Sharpton and Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Well I found out this morning that they decided not to use it. While I may be a little disappointed, it still made me feel somewhat special to know that I had somehow gotten the attention of a major newspaper.
While I typically do not agree with Sharpton on many points, I found that after putting my assumptions aside both he and I are saying the same thing regarding how mainstream media expects Black folks to fold under the Obama ticket just because he is Black. (This link will take you to a page on CNN where there are 2 video clips of Sharpton commenting on the situation)
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Like many people who heard about some the recent comments Al Sharpton made regarding Barack Obama, my general assumption was that this was just another embarrassing tantrum by another civil rights icon that refuses to move into the 21st century. However after hearing Sharpton’s explanation of the sequence of events, I tend to agree with him on most points.
While the bulk of mainstream media has focused primarily on senator Obama’s race, you should have noticed by now that very few pieces (if any) actually delve into the substance of his political campaign. After all, here is a candidate who is billed as a “bridge builder”, yet both of his voting records with the state and U.S. senate show that he voted with Democrats over 95 percent of the time. Ask just about anybody why they believe that Obama would make a great next president of the United States and you will quickly find out that most of these individuals can barely list one reason beyond his charisma. As a commenter on a small blog suggested, the real reason why there is so much attention on Obama’s race and not his record is because quite frankly, many folks frankly do not believe he has a chance on merit alone. This is exactly why I have personally dubbed Obama as the “Affirmative Action” candidate.
It would be one thing if Sharpton only exercised caution endorsing Obama. But the truth is that he has never been quick to offer any endorsement to any candidate over the years, yet mainstream media is treating this as an act of jealously on his part. Quite frankly, Sharpton’s desire to grill each candidate on the issues is a refreshing turn to the media love fest over Obama where he is fielded questions mostly about his blackness.
So is Sharpton green with envy over the wide acceptance of Obama? Perhaps. However, Sharpton’s upcoming National Action Network conference will be one venue where simply being Black will not be enough to woo potential voters.
Rev. Sharpton’s remarks at the SOBU were partly a reflection of how little influence he has in Af-Am politics and the Democratic Party. While I have no doubt his point was genuinely felt, I also believe it was gratuitous.
Comment by MIB | March 15, 2007
Is it gratuitous because he said it. I think not. Like Duane I usually have a hard time taking Shapton seriously but from time to time the man is on point. Obama as good looking as he may be does not have what it takes to be president AT THIS TIME!!!!. That is not to say after a few years in the senate and some more votes under his belt he shouldn’t make a run for it. But now is not they time.That is not to say after a few years in the senate and and some more votes under his belt he shouldn’t make a run for it. But now is not they time.
Comment by Saudia | March 15, 2007
I cannot think of an occasion, in recent history, when a person who had a SECOND chance to run for president has won the office. It may be now or never for Obama. Too often “experience” = corruption, it is better to have a fresh approach and a complete change. A young Black guy should be given the chance rather than another old white suburbanite man.
Comment by exe | March 15, 2007
I went from one side to another.
He made sense when he said just because you are Black, you won’t get the Black vote. (Since he only won one majority Black voting district in his “run” for the Dem nomination, he would know).
But, it does sound like he’s been swigging hater-aide.
And, as I keep saying, I may not agree with him on many things, but dude is not stupid nor is he a bafoon.
Comment by DarkStar | March 15, 2007
I didn’t judge Rev. Sharpton’s comments gratuitous because it was he who made them, Saudia. Like DarkStar, I’ve more respect for him that to sell him short on account of his style. But his words were condescending in tone and text on top of revealing nothing already known to Sen. Obama, the SOBU’s audience, or Af-Ams in general.
Comment by MIB | March 16, 2007
Reverend Sharpton has no reason to be “jealous” of Senator Obama.
Most black folk know that the black political spectrum is broad enough to encompass both men. Rev. Sharpton’s message reaches more black folks through his radio broadcasts on a daily basis than
anything Obama will ever experience. Furthermore, I think Obama has made it quite clear that he prefers to distance himself from the black masses the
Frankly, this whole story has a white media footprint on it. A bunch of instigatin’ from those who find it hard to believe that just because THEY like Obama, the monolithic black electorate should now respond with one big buck dance to the ballot box.
Comment by Denise | March 17, 2007
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