Let’s see, backstage for the BIG speech was pretty cool, given that I started the day wondering how I was going to get in, after losing my credentials (although, some seem to think that I’m a bit gullible to think that I loss them)… Either way, I started off, hanging out in what appeared to be some bad seats. That is, until, I figured it out… why not move to the front row, of the stage, given that all of the speakers would be going on stage from that point... WOW! This was BIG! From Jennifer Hudson’s star spangle banner, to Obama’s closing speech. I witnessed it all live and up-close in person. There is one slight problem, I didn’t bring extra batteries… Oh well, just think of this picture as giving Obama an overnight tan!
Obama's acceptance speech may have disappointed some viewers who have become accustomed to his stirring/uplifting style. In a time when so many people are suffering, Obama's speeches have given those without hope, hope. This is self-evident when we look at the response from the black community, as they proudly parade their Obama gear, or engage in uncritical conversation on a daily basis. One can rest assure that come election day, Obama will receive at least 95 percent of the black vote, even if he said that he would repeal affirmative action.
On the last day of the convention, Obama opted to provide substance over his rhetorical/uplifting style. In doing so, the Democrats strategically attempted to reach out to white working class and middle class voters, by invoking what is known as a deracialized strategy. A deracialized campaign occurs when a candidate avoids the use of race-specific issues by focusing on issues that are deemed to be racially transcendent.
In my dissertation I compared the two campaign strategies of former Jackson, MS mayor Harvey Johnson in 1993 and 1997. I argued that Johnson ran a deracialized campaign in 1993, in his failed attempt at becoming Jackson’s first black mayor and a race-specific campaign in his victory in 1997. In applying the deracialization strategy, Obama has attempted to avoid the use of race during his campaign. For example, while many speakers during the convention’s final outing acknowledged the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous I Have a Dream speech, Obama decided to provide only a scant reference near the end of his presentation. Such a strategy is quite appropriate, given that blacks only make up 12.5 percent of the total population, and even less of the percentage of registered voters.
Obama's acceptance speech may have disappointed some viewers who have become accustomed to his stirring/uplifting style. In a time when so many people are suffering, Obama's speeches have given those without hope, hope. This is self-evident when we look at the response from the black community, as they proudly parade their Obama gear, or engage in uncritical conversation on a daily basis. One can rest assure that come election day, Obama will receive at least 95 percent of the black vote, even if he said that he would repeal affirmative action.
On the last day of the convention, Obama opted to provide substance over his rhetorical/uplifting style. In doing so, the Democrats strategically attempted to reach out to white working class and middle class voters, by invoking what is known as a deracialized strategy. A deracialized campaign occurs when a candidate avoids the use of race-specific issues by focusing on issues that are deemed to be racially transcendent.
In my dissertation I compared the two campaign strategies of former Jackson, MS mayor Harvey Johnson in 1993 and 1997. I argued that Johnson ran a deracialized campaign in 1993, in his failed attempt at becoming Jackson’s first black mayor and a race-specific campaign in his victory in 1997. In applying the deracialization strategy, Obama has attempted to avoid the use of race during his campaign. For example, while many speakers during the convention’s final outing acknowledged the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous I Have a Dream speech, Obama decided to provide only a scant reference near the end of his presentation. Such a strategy is quite appropriate, given that blacks only make up 12.5 percent of the total population, and even less of the percentage of registered voters.
So, I think that the Obama camp hit this one clean out of the park… wait, this was a football stadium… well, the Obama camp scored a touchdown. How? By using a few bible verses here and there to attract evangelicals and by using personal testimonies by real white people who have loss jobs and who have really suffered under the Bush administration. So, don’t take it personal when you don’t see people who look like you on stage, it’s a numbers game. Now, take a number, and wait to see what Prof. Dre’ has coming your way next.
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2 comments:
Well me personal I did not get a chance to see the speech first hand but the comments that I heard were remarkable. I heard that critics could not find any flaws in his speech that is very impressive. Black America is so honored to be able to say there is one of them standing on stage to make a difference. Even if Obama does not win the presidential election this will be a ground breaking event for the United States of America and will for ever be in history.
I think that as far as Obama given his political speech, he actually relieves the racial tension by saying that I am a man of every race acceptance. No matter how many black people or any other race of people vote for him, Obama still would be known to have sharged a big change for the Black America as we are. Among the 95% of black voters should it stop right there are grow more. Every race to Obama is an equal race. So, for him being a African American man sets the stage for a new beginning not only in Americas history but every race of people that make up this country
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