Obama talks about race, faith in America

3/21/08"Race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now," Democratic presdiential candidate Barack Obama told the American people Tuesday in Philadelphia. Obama addressed issues such as race and faith in politics as well as the controversial statements made by his pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Obama challenged the American people to make the changes that would enable the country to "continue on the path of a more perfect union." The speech touched many Emersonians in different ways.

"He transcended the media practice of defining the Reverend Wright by sound bite and used the controversy to discuss the far more crucial and complicated issue of race relations in America," said Emerson history Professor Roger House.

Sophomore theater studies major Camelia Lopez said it is about time someone speaks openly about issues that are so clearly part of our nation's present. "The truth of the matter is America is a melting-pot," Lopez said, and it was appropriate for Obama to speak of unifying a nation made up of peoples from all over the world.

History Professor Lester Lee said, "Race or race consciousness is deeply embedded in American social fabric." However according to Lee the change that has taken place in America "has been real and substantive."

Obama said he agrees that America has made vast progress in the fight against racism and discrimination in its short history, but he acknowledged a "racial stalemate" that America has been caught in for years.

In an appearance on "Larry King Live" on CNN Tuesday, Emerson Professor Carole Simpson spoke about Obama's speech as well as race relations in America. "I can't believe we're still talking about it, that this is still an issue. I thought if I worked against racism and discrimination in my business, it would be gone in 30 or 40 years. It's not," Simpson said.

The progress America has made in the last century can be seen in its most pure form in this year's race for the presidency. America has shown overwhelming support not only for an African American man, but also for a woman candidate. "Remember that there are people alive today who could never have imagined an African American or woman as president," Lee said.

Obama's speech has transcended racial and political barriers, opening up a much needed dialogue about race relations. "What Obama gave was not simply another political speech," House said, "It was a declaration of the new politics of unity.