The absent father issue he [Barack Obama] describes in the African American community is a real problem, but has a complex and long reaching history that Obama does not go far enough in recognizing. He has spoken eloquently about race in America (particularly after the Rev. Wright debacle), but is now using the topic to allay fears of the white community that he isn't a radical. Obama knows that he cannot become a 'black candidate' like Rev. Jesse Jackson, or Al Sharpton as he will alienate the millions of white voters he is hoping to capture in the general election. Lecturing the black community is the perfect way to do this, and Jackson was right in calling him out on it (although he may not have wanted to).
Obama does not share the same history as the African American community he is speaking to. He is of direct African descent and was raised by a white mother and white grandparents. Obama's father came to America by choice, and his ancestors were not subjected to hundreds of years of murder, abuse and humiliation.
He also talks about the differences between the Africans that immigrated to this country and the African Americans that were born here and decended from slaves.
Recent African immigrants are one of the most successful immigrant communities in America. The average annual personal income of African immigrants is about $26,000 -- nearly $2,000 more than that of workers born in the U.S.There are no widespread problems related to absent fathers, and the average African immigrant is better educated than the average American. I lived in West Africa (Ghana) for a number of months, and was amazed at the vibrant culture, iron clad family structures and lack of crime.
The difference between the two peoples -- who are genetically the same, is remarkable. After 400 years of slavery, humiliation, economic inequality, unemployment and prejudice, issues like poverty, crime and broken family structures still persist. Rather than ask why black fathers won't take responsibility for themselves, the only thing we should be asking is how any family structure exists at all given the circumstances. It is a testament to the strength of the African American community that they continue to thrive despite the horrific history of their people.
He goes on to explain that Obama is in a tight situation in this election, he basically have to comfort white voters but at the the same time assure African American voters that he's one of them.
Obama knows the topic will endear him to white voters -- those quietly afraid of too many blacks in their neighborhoods, and afraid Obama may share their anger. Obama is playing the tricky game of being 'tough on crime, and tough on the causes of crime'. He must be seen by African Americans to be one of them, and by whites to share their fears and concerns. It is politics at its highest skill level, and Obama is in danger of alienating one side or the other. He has played it well in the past, but playing to a national audience means the stakes are higher. The truth is, Obama would never lecture white audiences about 'taking responsibility' for many of the problems persistent in their communities. Poverty, unemployment and crime are huge 'white' problems, but Obama does not dedicate speeches to it. He has already made some alarming shifts to the center, enraging progressives who paid for his election. Let's hope he doesn't forget the people who struggled so valiantly so he could even get elected.
