Comments on: Anniversary of Dr. King's death: why Obama should have been there

By: Marie

Marie — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:12:11 +0000

Barack Obama missed the opportunity to attend the State of the Black Union, which many Black Americans gave him a free pass for, but I did not. Now he did it again, with choosing not to go to Tenn. to honor Dr. King. I get it Barack Obama does not want to be marginalized as the Black candidate, he aspires to transcend race, I can respect that but all politics aside, at the end of the day he is a Black man, or atleast he refers to himself as that and as a Black man he owes it to Dr.King to have been there.The large success of the Obama campaign relies largely on the support of Black people and everytime the Black community reaches out to him, he keeps us at a distance.Black people need to open their eyes, if you think Obama is going to look out for Black people if he is President then you are all dead wrong.

By: MODERATOR

MODERATOR — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:07:06 +0000

Anastacia,

We have links to Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama.

By: Anastacia Wilde

Anastacia Wilde — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:20:59 +0000

This is my first time on this site and I am just wondering. Why does barack Obama have a "Category" link but Hillary Clinton does not? Is this another site that reports as if this a one-person race for the presidency?
Highly disappointing to see this objective journalism at work!

By: Meko

Meko — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:17:37 +0000

Hi Roland-

First, I must say that you have great insight and you always share a wealth of knowledge. I truly have learned a lot from listening to you speak. In regards to Barack not being in Memphis, I don't see a problem with him not going. I think that Obama is looking at the big picture and the only way he can bring change is if he becomes president. He has to focus. The vision is bigger than Barack..I believe that Dr. King would want us to pull together for the movement.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:16:59 +0000

Roland, I have to agree with the majority...Senator Obama didn't miss an opportunity. We should have been sick and tired of hearing about the Rev. Wright situation and I think had he gone; it would have started back up all over again. Obama doesn't need that now, especially with him slowly but surely catching up with Clinton in Pennslyvania.

You and everyone else know why Clinton and McCain were there. Did it take McCain running for the President to finally say he was sorry? C'mon now...let's get real!

Normally, I would agree; not this time.

By: Cali

Cali — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:49:06 +0000

I'm glad Obama wasn't there. Obama, if he wins the nomination, will not represent just black America he will represent all of America! If Obama would have been at the ceremony no doubt he would have been labeled the "Black People's President" I only think Clinton and McCain were there simply because Obama wasn't and had Obama been there I don't think Clinton or McCain would have been there. Strategic? Maybe. Clinton (Bill) nor McCain even voted for the King holiday! So either way this is one of those situations where Obama was going to be criticized either way.

By: sherry

sherry — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:11:39 +0000

Why was Hillary there? For months she has been hounded about the release of her previous years income tax records and she waits until the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest men our world has know and uses his story to outshine her story. Shame on you Hillary!!! How long had you planned to release your returns on a day when you knew there would be news more worthy of coverage than you and your tax returns. Shame on you Hillary for even showing up and disgracing the man who made the world a better place for so many. You are laughable and you do not disremember or misspeak, you lie, like a rug.!!!!!!!! Obama all the way!!!!!!!!!

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:52:05 +0000

HRC did not have to go Memphis. I wouldn't call HRC racist for not being in a certain location. She could have been in NC and still acknowledged Kings assassination in a memorable way.

The person who had the biggest impact on me that day was McCain. I couldn't believe how bold he was to go to Memphis and talk about voting against MLK Day. That is bold. And I respect that man so much after hearing him talk about his mistake and seeing the error in his ways. He is apart of that generation that comes from the Jim Crow error and to see him, even if for political reasons, speak about his bad past was great.

McCain and I disagree on almost everything. He so does not have my vote. But, his credibility and honesty is refreshing. I can't say that about HRC. I don't trust her to put US first. But w/ pressure she probably will follow through w/ her plans. I like her plans before McCains, but I like McCains integrity and person better than HRC.

By: venue

venue — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:57:10 +0000

Mr. Obama has his reason for not being there.

I believe Dr.King was looking down and saying America is finally getting it. : o )

By: jT

jT — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:56:48 +0000

For Obama, it does not matter!

Majority of blacks will support him anyway.

Hillary had to be there, if not, they will call her a racist.

Good for you Hillary. You are trying hard to make people happy.

Hillary 08!!

By: C Murphy

C Murphy — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:45:06 +0000

I think is was wise for Obama to stay in Indiana. Hillary and McCain rushed there to get media coverage. Obama put the focus on Dr. King and did not choose to put the spotlight on himself. Standing on that balcony might have suggested to voters that he has the gifts and commitment that Dr. King had but would have been less than a gracious way to mark his death. Advancing your political career whatever the event is better left to Hillary.

By: Molly

Molly — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:38:39 +0000

GO HILLARY !!!
Gee – A negative story about obama – how can that be????
Obama should of gone to MLK – Stop making excuses for him.
Maybe the media should look a little deeper into obama – his background seems very questionable to me!

By: TCharisse

TCharisse — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:37:23 +0000

I am surprised Roland that you would minimize the impact of King's legacy and Obama's acknowledgement to location. It is very obvious why Clinton and Mccain were there - to try to appease blacks by showing how much they grieved too at the loss of King so that they can gain ground in the black community. Why would Obama have to subject himself to a "Sambo-like" presentation on the balcony? He has no problem identifying with all persons and this was his opportunity to show that King transcended race, gender, socio-economic status, etc. He allowed people to see first-hand the results of a King era in a city other than where King was brutally murdered. Why minimize King to one city? The King family wasn't making speeches in Memphis. They were at the graves of their parents honoring them there. Does this new great orator always have to portray himself as King reencarnated? Or perhaps is it possible, he is the Dream somehow coming forth into some kind of reality?

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:26:32 +0000

We all don't go to Israel to remember the death of Christ (though not a good comparison to MLK but I don't have another one).
MLK represents equality, peace and love for all races. What touched me with Obama's speech was when he repeated RFK's statement that reminded folks in Indianapolis that MLK preached love and compassion, and as such Indianapolis was quiet when other cities erupted.

By: Ingrid

Ingrid — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:28:03 +0000

It was a good thing that Obama didn't go to memphis. This is a smart, well caculated, and thoughtful man. He wouldn't dare insult the King's.

Going to memphis would have taken the shine off of King. No doubt. All the people who would have showed up to see, touch, Obama. He also took King's message to a place where King couldn't go towards the end of his life. Rember he was unpopular at that time for speakng out against the Vietnam war and America. He took that message to the political arena infront of a largely white audience. He is fulfilling Kings dream day by day.

A large part of this society just doesn't get King's dream and some of those people were in Indiana. The people who get it were in Memphis. Let us take time to look at the bigger different picture.

Let us bot look back and stay stuck in the horrific past of King's death, but take King's dream forward to new generations. Roland I wish you saw the bigger picture. I am glad Obama didn't use that day KINGS DAY as PR to further his political career. That would have been a bad bad move.

By: kd

kd — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:14:37 +0000

Roland,

Normally I agree with your statements and your ability to see past the everyday trival comments of this campaign and what it has become. On this I do disagree...perhaps I'm mistaken but I believe that Sen. Obama lives his life and has based his race for presidency on MLK 's dream for equality. In my opinion, this does not change if he was physicially present, present through his speach in Indiana or by his actions each and everyday. Ironically, I think he would have been critized for taking the spotlight off of MLK and placing it on himself. Did he miss an opportunity...perhaps...but I commend him for his decision to be in Indiana and extend Dr. King's memory there...the bottom line is if he does not win in Indiana and upcoming Primaries...the dream that Dr. King preached all those years again will once again not materialize.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:06:40 +0000

Roland,

I understand what you are saying but I think people would have saw it as being self-serving. Remember, Hillary and John McCain were there.

By: Penny

Penny — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:16 +0000

Debating YOUNG vs OLD. Obama is young. Hillary and McCain remember that era of the country's history. They are OLD. Obama did not experience the ignorance of the Civil Rights period. In this generation it is hard to believe that there separate bathrooms and eating establishments Thoughts of superiority. WE do not want to go backwards, WE want to move forward with inovation and new ideas/. Because he wasn't there MLK was still smling down. To me it represents inspiration. We need the respect of the global economy . They are young and more inovative and they are listening. Hillary and McCain will n0t bring any new IDEAS.

By: Diana Beckman

Diana Beckman — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:51:49 +0000

Furthermore, this is the first time I have ever seen them make a such big deal of MLK's death anniversary. Did he not have an anniversary last year? Why now?
Could it be that Obama erupted the Consciousness of the country?
Could it be that Obama himself had lead us here... to highlight, like no other year before, the birth and death with this opportunity of his legacy?

Don't judge the man, try to understand him!

By: Diana Beckman

Diana Beckman — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:44:35 +0000

You probably wont post this...but here goes....

I am so glad Obama stayed away from Memphis. He was where he was suppose to be. The other candidates saw it as the media op it was and that is why they showed up...NOT for the love of black people, but for their vote. Obama can only make change if he wins the presidency... and that means change for all americans. i am disappointed in you Roland! Just because he is black doesn't mean he has to be there. We can worship from whereever we are. It's what in our hearts that count–not the judgment of other who knows not what is in our heart. You all cant see the forest for the trees!