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Jun. 6th, 2008 11:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pearwaldorfApparently some photographs taken from the funeral train of Bobby Kennedy were discovered and they'll be put on exhibit at the Danziger Projects gallery. I'm not a big fan of multimedia slideshows, but this one is particularly good. Not being of my generation, I've never understood the fuss about the Kennedys or Bobby in particular, but the frequent comparisons to Obama make me think I might have to.
Speaking of Obama, hearing this new Nas track and the samples spliced in are surprisingly affecting. Not to trivialize an incredibly monumental event that should rightly be celebrated, reading this article made me sad. As there were plenty of people who thought there were no more racial issues when the Civil Rights Act was signed, there are people who will see Obama's nomination and (please $deity) election as an indication of things being OK. Once again, I want to emphasize that this is a Huge Fucking Deal and it's awesome, but just because the country is ready to accept a black man in the White House doesn't mean institutional racism goes away. It's kind of like (and I can't believe I'm bringing in a BSG reference into this) when Seelix became an officer and could fly planes and it's supposed to signify some sort of deep abiding change in the way social structures work in the Colonial Fleet. Until the kid working in the tylium refinery or living in South Central can actually be president, there's still plenty of work ahead of us.
Speaking of Obama, hearing this new Nas track and the samples spliced in are surprisingly affecting. Not to trivialize an incredibly monumental event that should rightly be celebrated, reading this article made me sad. As there were plenty of people who thought there were no more racial issues when the Civil Rights Act was signed, there are people who will see Obama's nomination and (please $deity) election as an indication of things being OK. Once again, I want to emphasize that this is a Huge Fucking Deal and it's awesome, but just because the country is ready to accept a black man in the White House doesn't mean institutional racism goes away. It's kind of like (and I can't believe I'm bringing in a BSG reference into this) when Seelix became an officer and could fly planes and it's supposed to signify some sort of deep abiding change in the way social structures work in the Colonial Fleet. Until the kid working in the tylium refinery or living in South Central can actually be president, there's still plenty of work ahead of us.
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Date: 2008-06-06 10:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 03:51 am (UTC)I share your excitement (and awe) in the new developments in our country with Obama's continued success and admiration from the people. Almost everyday I find myself confronted with comments about him or his campaign or just in general of the race that deflate my happiness balloons.
A class mate of mine 'revealed' the reason to me why Obama is so popular....because he's Black(!) (To elaborate 'he's black so black people will vote for him?' or so I told) There goes more of my balloons :(
Which upsets me because truly that's not why I like Obama.
I do think that he is a positive role model as a Black man.
I failed to remind this classmate that not just black folks
are voting for him...there's Americans of all colors and creeds.
But truly, I believe in his vision for change. I want
someone to believe in that believes in me too.
I also HATE hearing that Barrack is too optimistic...honestly
what gives? Do we not need optimism to get out our beds each day
now to start the day knowing all the problems that our country is
in?
I am almost pleased with the land that I live in
if I am allowed to say so...I haven't been this excited in
politics for such for a long time...And Hilary...whooo boy!
I believe that I saw another entry in your journal with more
about her that I'd love to also comment on if that's okay with you?
Whatever happens in the end I must say that I both appreciate
Obama's and Hilary's (Hilary's to an extent) efforts...hey think about it we still have some work to do (referring to your line about
the kid in the refinery or the South Central kid) but today we live in a place and time where a child with brown skin or a little girl can say "I want to grow up to be the President of the United States"
and be perhaps be taken more seriously for it. Freaking Great. :)
*P.S. My father admires Obama but doesn't think he'll win.
He believes that he is capable of winning but just won't. He
says that "They'll either assassinate his character or him"
But instead of trying to fight a battle of words I sympathize
with him, my mother and the others of their generation that
are Obama supporters...They lost great leaders that inspired
them that, like Obama represented change and leadership beyond
their time...like Bobby and King.
My mother was only in the 6th grade when King was killed but
during the speech Obama gave on television when I learned of his Democratic nomination she eerily started to recite words from a speech of Dr. King's. Which you can imagine creped me out. But it angered me to some level because I could see in that moment a resemblance. But I also understood her actions too--She was reminding me of King's fate: to be cut down for wanting to
bring something different.
Things like that sway my fragile 19 year old heart
to and fro. (Not in a good way)
So on an ending note, Thank you for putting out a blog that was meant for little old me to find. Truly stimulating .I pray I didn't offend you as a random person posting to your personal blog. I also hope that I am allowed to comment with your permission on a few of your other blogs.
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Date: 2008-06-13 08:12 am (UTC)