Academic

Obama?s Performance of Race

By Paul Butler

I have to agree with this column by Richard Cohen that Barack Obama is not angry enough. I don?t know whether it?s a personality thing or a race thing - not wanting to play into the stereotype of the angry black man. The problem, however, is his preternatural cool makes him seem too remote.

He?s a hard brother to whom to feel connected. Michelle helps - his famed speeches not so much. To give the biggest speech of his life, and at the same time be the standard bearer for a huge accomplishment in African-American history, on the anniversary of MLK?s iconic “I have a dream” speech, and to never say the words “Martin Luther King…”. It does seem like he?s trying too hard not to be too black. If it works I reluctantly accept it (turn to your black neighbor and give him or her a  terrorist fist bump right now).   I?m afraid, however, he?s going too far.

It turns out that covering is a more artful performance than it initially appears. There?s a balance but when you go too far you start to look like you?ve lost something essential.

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Full post as published by BlackProf on September 10, 2008 (boomark / email).