I live in an inner city GHETTO

[mdmc]

The fact that a black man can snort cocaine as a young man, and not end up in jail, not end up a victim of the drug war, and can become the President of the United States of America is very inspiring.

The thing about the ghetto is it is owned by the drug war. Gangs protect turf, dole out punishment, and offer economic opportunity. Even if you work your ass off to avoid the drug war (don't sell or do drugs, stay off the streets after dark) you are still seen as either a possible snitch, or as a possible target for rival gangs (turf is valued in terms of safety - random violence is used against another gangs "turf" (people living near where the rival gang operates) to show strength or weakness of a gang.

The fact that a black man can make mistakes common, if not universal, to those growing up in the Ghetto, and still become President is very motivating to those living in the inner city. Obama may have some long ass coattails when this thing is all said and done.

[Romulox]

1. Too bad Obama supports the War on Drugs then, isn't it?

I swear, Barack Obama is like a blank lump of clay that everyone can project their own hopes and dreams on.

But Barack supports the War on Drugs, despite our best hopes to the contrary. :hi:

[SoFlaJet]

2. yea and Clinton supporters NEVER do that right?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6152066&mesg_id=6152857

[Romulox]

3. I haven't a clue what your post/link has to do with Barack Obama's support of the War on Drugs...

But let's get one thing straight: Barack Obama does support the War on Drugs, just like George W. Bush, just like Nixon, just like Regan, and just like Bill Clinton.

No "change" here, that's for damn sure.

[patrice]

14. I don't understand. My perception of BHO's candidacy is that he is telling us that what happens is

up to Us. That's also the point of the OP. So the fact the Obama (and the rest of us) INHERITED a War on Drugs isn't something that discredits him. The reality is that, with few exceptions, a single person cannot change the whole system, especially since there has been such long standing momentum in things like the War on Drugs. I cannot criticize Obama for being part of the thing that put him in the position he is in now. THAT is the way things are and WE ARE THE ONES WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR TO CHANGE THE WAYS THINGS ARE. IF we do our part, he will do his.

[Romulox]

36. This is really a very verbose cop-out

"I cannot criticize Obama for being part of the thing that put him in the position he is in now."

I can. His approval makes him morally culpable. The fact that he, like Bill Clinton and George W. Bush before him, admit to having used drugs in the past makes their present support for the War on Drugs simple hypocrisy.

"THAT is the way things are and WE ARE THE ONES WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR TO CHANGE THE WAYS THINGS ARE."

So why not vote McCain if Obama = / = change? :confused:

[iamthebandfanman]

40. here

http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7499
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wQr9ezr8UeA

[Romulox]

44. Check the date on your story; Obama *retracted* that statement, claimed he didn't know what

"decriminalization" meant. :eyes:

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7506

[iamthebandfanman]

41. dupe

[cbc5g]

48. I dont understand Obama here..70% of Americans support it, whats up with this?

[patrice]

51. You think it's a copout to say people gotta get over this notion of: Just find the perfect "leader"

everything will be okay, because s/he will take care of all of us? "All we need is to pick the 'right' Mommy/Daddy and we won't have to change that much about how we live and what we do about things such as the Drug War or the Invasion & Occupation of Iraq". Not only is it naive to assume that that is how it works, it's HOW we got into this mess to begin with.

[knixphan]

76. exactly.

[Romulox]

78. Exactly? In order criticize Obama for a *non-progressive* position, I need to find a "perfect"

candidate?

That makes no sense whatever.

[The Doctor.]

58. So you are a one issue voter.

Luckily, Obama has favorable stances on the majority of issues.

[Romulox]

60. Nope. My issues: 1) economy/globalism; 2) "war on terror"; 3) for-profit prison industry/

war on drugs.

Obama is weak on 2 of these three (strong supporter of globalism/free trade/H1B visas, supporter of War on Drugs.)

[The Doctor.]

62. And how are McCain and Clinton on those issues?

[Romulox]

63. Same same. nt

[The Doctor.]

66. Then apparently you need to study up.

Obama;
http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=9490

Clinton;
http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=55463

McCain;
http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53270


If, after you study their records, you can still say they are the same, then you're lying. If your contention is that they're 'not different enough' for you, then you're wasting your time here as this place is hardly suited to foment the kind of revolution necessary at this time.

I'm afraid we'll need patience for the time being.

[Romulox]

67. Talk about moving the goalposts! You asked me about their positions

on the issues that are important to me.

There is little substantive difference between the 3 on 2 of my most important issues. I'm sorry if that's difficult to accept...

[The Doctor.]

69. There's no difference in their record on 'the War on Terror'? surely you must be joking...

Obama;
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/foreignpolicy/#iran (diplomacy)

Clinton;
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/iraq/ (diplomacy)

McCain;
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/fdeb03a7-30b0-4ece-8e34-4c7ea83f11d8.htm (what the fuck is 'diplomacy'?)

Are you serious?


The 'War on Terror' is also a result of how we engage in foreign policy and energy independence. If you think that McCain is going to depart nearly as significantly from current policy as Obama or Clinton, then you probably should take up another hobby besides politics.

On top of that, you must at least have an opinion about some of the other issues they differ on.

Try this; are you even interested in a return to Constitutional Governance?

[Romulox]

77. No, I specifically said Obama is weak on outsourcing and the war on drugs

Since I said that Obama is weak on two of my big issues, by negative implication I was crediting his stance on the War on Terror as being superior to McCain's and Hillary's.

[The Doctor.]

80. But what about the question;

Are you even interested in a return to Constitutional Governance?

I know that's not one of your 'big issues', but would you consider it a plus if a candidate were inclined to do just that?

[Romulox]

81. I simply don't consider that a meaningful question (no offense)

"It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is." Marbury v. Madison

"Constitutional Governance" means whatever the Court says it means, so there's no "returning" to it--for good or for ill, we're there.

[The Doctor.]

83. Let me put it another way;

"Are you at all interested in seeing the end of torture, incarceration without trial, the politicization of the Justice department? Are you interested in seeing the current administration investigated for criminal acts?"

Those really are 'yes or no' questions.

[Romulox]

84. Yes to all. What's this got to do with the War on Drugs?

Or to put it another way: how can a country have the highest rate of incarceration in the world (primarily for non-violent drug offenses,) and NOT have a "politicized" Justice Department???

[The Doctor.]

85. What does the Justice department have to do with it?

The laws that local and state authorities act on aren't written by the DoJ. The DoJ deals with federal issues, and they certainly aren't packing the jails with non-violent recreational pot smokers.

No, that's not the 'politicization' of law enforcement, that's just the enforcement of ridiculous laws.

It appears you're trying to change the subject... and poorly.


The bottom line is this; If all the candidates are 'the same' on your important issues (except the WoT), but only one of them has pledged to do something that you agree with on issues that are otherwise important, doesn't that mean that they aren't the same?

If you're true to your principles, and those include bringing this administration to justice, then you do have a preference in the candidates. Are they a 'perfect' candidate? No, of course not. But it's the only one that will address real concerns the others won't.

[Romulox]

86. The DoJ doesn't have anything to do with the federal prison population??? Oi vey.

Total Federal Inmates: 200,947

http://www.bop.gov/news/weekly_report.jsp

"More than half (55%) of federal prisoners are serving time for a drug offense"

http://www.sentencingproject.org/pdfs/federalprison.pdf

[The Doctor.]

87. Soooo... your point WAS to change the subject.

AND you're being silly.

Please explain how the DoJ is responsible for writing the laws that put the 'nonviolent offenders' picked up by state and local authorities.
Then maybe we can talk about what percentage of people were arrested by state and local vs. the DoJ... K?

Heck, if we're going to change the subject, might as well go all the way with it. I'll just assume you've accepted the other point.

[Romulox]

88. I've been talking about the War on Drugs since my first post to this thread.

What subject change? :wtf:

"Please explain how the DoJ is responsible"

I don't have time to explain to you how the DoJ decides how and when to charge crimes right now. I don't think you're interested in anything but excuses, anyhow.

[The Doctor.]

89. We were talking about the CANDIDATES stances.

And by now you've agreed they are different.

And no, I'm not interested in your excuses.

But I'll take your word that you 'don't have time'.

[Romulox]

90. No, I don't agree that we've agreed to this; Barack Obama supports the War on Drugs.

So does Hillary Clinton, and so does John McCain.

"But I'll take your word that you 'don't have time'."

I'm in a class atm. I hope that's an OK excuse for you. :silly:

[The Doctor.]

93. I was talking about the WoT, YOU turned it into the WoD to change the subject.

I don't care about the WoD, it will fail eventually. You are attempting to sidestep my point;

"There are other issues that you have admitted Obama has better positions on than the other two candidates do."

Considering that you have a choice between McCain and Obama, you'd be immensely short-sighted to dismiss Obama.

If all you can do is play games, I suggest you remain in school until you mature.

Good bye.

[mdmc]

52. the DLC uber alles

Do you really think that the media would have given him a free pass if he was a real deal.

[Romulox]

61. Good point. My puzzlement is how "progessives" hold Obama out as an "anti-DLC" candidate

When he has top officials from the DLC in top leadership positions in his campaign? :wtf:

For example, Mr. Austan Goolsbee, free trade shill and NAFTA-gaffer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austan_Goolsbee

[mdmc]

71. I think it is part of the ABB mentality

anyone but bush turned into anyone but clinton and is now - Obama is the only one.

Obama has really impressed me with his campaign to date, I must say.

[rucky]

18. How so? n/t

[Romulox]

42. "Clinton, Obama, Richardson, Biden, and Edwards all raised their hands...."

Tim Russert: Senator Dodd, you went on the Bill Maher show last month and said that you were for decriminalizing marijuana. Is there anyone here who disagrees with Senator Dodd in decriminalizing marijuana?

Clinton, Obama, Richardson, Biden, and Edwards all raised their hands. Only Dennis Kucinich stood with Senator Dodd on this important question. John Edwards was quick on the draw, pulling out the oldest pro-drug war line in the book:

Russert: Senator Edwards, why?

Edwards: Because I think it sends the wrong signal to young people. And I think the president of the United States has a responsibility to ensure that we're sending the right signals to young people.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2007/oct/31/shameful_democratic_front_runner

See also:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21528787/page/22/

[iamthebandfanman]

26. hes for decriminalization of marijuana n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

29. I have not heard that

And a link or somesuch would be madly useful where I live. I did hear him say he would stop the Federal harrassment of Medical marijuana patients, because he said, the Feds have better things to do. He did not say he favoed decriminalization and he was asked.
If you really have proof of that, it would warm my heart and I would pass it on to hundreds of concerned patients and activists. Feel free to PM anything or post anything. I don't doubt you, I very much want the info to share. It is a big issue in my circle and in my region.

[iamthebandfanman]

30. heres a link, ill look for more later if u want

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQr9ezr8UeA

btw,
he did infact raise his hand against decriminalization during one of the debates... but hes also voted the opposite way throughout his career so... i think that was just for show to not freak people out of voting for him. some people are crazy about keeping the strick laws concerning marijuana.

[Bluenorthwest]

33. Not to be picky...

But youtube links are not the best. Lots of people I know don't have high speed due to rural life. Anything in text would be fantastic. I will of course do all I can with the Youtube link and there will be many who can use it.
Thank you very much.

[iamthebandfanman]

39. heres an article

like i say, ill some better looking if you want me to this evening.

http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7499

and may i also say it should be noted

"Democratic rival Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign stated that she opposes decriminalization. On the Republican side, Senator John McCain opposes decriminalization"


obama is the best chance.

[Romulox]

43. "Obama Campaign Retracts Statement Supporting Decriminalization"

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7506

[iamthebandfanman]

68. interesting

i also noticed him and hillary get the same grade ratings from norml...
A for both regarding medical marijuana and both get a C for policy

id like to say tho, i still think hes switched his stance to better himself for the GE.... it would be something im sure republicans would raise as an issue

[Romulox]

37. No he doesn't: "Nevermind, Barack Obama Wants to Arrest Marijuana Users After All"

Obama claimed he didn't know what "decriminalization" meant when he supported it (!). :wow:

Keep in mind that Senator Obama was the editor of the Harvard Law Review.

At first, Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said that the candidate had "always" supported decriminalizing marijuana, suggesting his 2004 statement was correct. Then after the Times posted copies of the video on its Web site today, his campaign reversed course and declared he does not support eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana possession and use.

"If you're convicted of a crime, you should be punished, but that we are sending far too many first-time, non-violent drug users to prison for very long periods of time, and that we should rethink those laws," Vietor said. The spokesman blamed confusion over the meaning of decriminalization for the conflicting answers.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle_blog/2008/feb/01/nevermind_barack_obama_wants_to_

[mdmc]

34. We have a choice between the GOP, the D, or a third party

My electoral vote will go to the dem. I always vote against the drug war.

[Romulox]

38. Bill Clinton put more drug users in jail than Ronnie and Poppie Bush combined

So no, voting for the dem is not a vote against the drug war... :hi:

[MyNameGoesHere]

4. I wonder why he neer smoked rock?

Seems a little high brow for my tastes.

[SoFlaJet]

6. he's an elitist LFWV

duh

[MyNameGoesHere]

70. well for me crack was cheaper.

My more well to do friends did blow. But hey i went down quicker than they did so it all evens out.

[kwassa]

5. Obama didn't grow up in a ghetto.

He had opportunities that ghetto kids can only dream about. He maximized those opportunities, too.

He is an inspiring role model, but his life was totally different than that of the inner city resident in many ways.

[AZBlue]

54. The OP never said he did.

[AP]

7. If only Obama had come out of the ghetto, rather than out of the finest private schools in Hawaii,

NYC and Cambridge, Mass.

[SoFlaJet]

9. yea he's NEVER had it tough

like HRC has-I mean she had to kill her own food in Pennsy growing up behind that barn

[AP]

10. The point isn't the contrast between Clinton and Obama. It's whether Obama's life is a template that

can serve as an inspiration to the people living in the OP's neighborhood.

Unfortunately, it's only an inspiration on the most superficial level. The idea that Obama snorted coke so people in the 'Ghetto' should be able to relate? They should really relate to George Bush (Andover, Yale, Harvard) then, eh?

[baldguy]

13. People aren't judged by their life experience

or "the content of their character". For the most part they are judged by the color of their skin.

Obama may not have led a life similar to that of other African Americans, but he's been treated exactly the same.

[NatBurner]

15. basically

Obama may not have led a life similar to that of other African Americans, but he's been treated exactly the same.

[AP]

21. Unfortunately, I think that if you actually grew up in the ghetto and you heard Obama's life story

you might not feel so connected, despite race.

Obama grew up in a non-white foreign country and the only U.S. state that has never had a white majority -- which is an island paradise that doesn't have a tone in common with the Bronx our south side Chicago -- and has always gone to the best schools, and had a ton of opportunities.

I don't disagree that it's exciting for black kids living in burned-out city centers that a black man will be president. But I think if might be short-sighted for white people to think that those poor black kids are going to HEAVILY identify with Barak's life story. Kids aren't stupid about gauging these things.

And I think it's ridiculous to try to build that identification around drug use (especially since the picture you get in your head is more like James Spader rolling a joint in his father's study in Pretty in Pink, and not Bodie selling W.M.D. on a Baltimore street corner in The Wire).

[Doityourself]

17. I agree. If he can inspire hope in the worst possible situation..then good.

[AZBlue]

56. The OP never said Obama grew up in the ghetto - you missed its point entirely.

[woolldog]

64. So you're basically telling inner-city youth

"Obama isn't *really* like you. Don't let him inspire you and give you hope for a better future. And inspire you to work towards something better than your surroundings"

Wow. What an inspiring guy you are. :eyes:

Look I don't care whether Obama was born and raised on the streets or not. If he or some part of his story gives people in that situation hope, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TELL THEM NOT TO HOPE? WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO TRY TO TAMP DOWN THEIR ASPIRATIONS AND "SET THEM STRAIGHT"?! GO TO HELL YOU POMPOUS TWIT!

[seabeyond]

8. 3 out of 6 brothers in prison, 2 out of 4 kids in prison

i was talking to a friend of over a decade last night catching up on what is going on in her life. love her dearly, she has had such a tough life. we talk often about the culture differences we have, looking at life thru two different lenses, her being black, in panhandle of texas. me being white....

what got me yesterday as i was asking about all her family is she is the oldest with 6 brothers. (she is 54) 3 of those men are in prison. she has 3 boys and a girl. two of those men are in prison. 5 out of 6 of the men are in prison for drug related issues. last night, thinking about this well after she left.... i know under her and the childrens circumstances it is almost inevitable.

i told husband, we have been smoking pot for years.... a couple decades. our asses or all our friends arent in jail. just the wrongness of it all

another point

obama did the drugs way back in the 70's? or around. the criminal system was different back then especially dealing with the drug issue

[patrice]

11. There was a face in the crowd the last time Obama spoke in Iowa that said exactly that.

Obama was announcing that he had the majority of the delegates.

There was a young "Black" man near the front of the crowd, to Obama's left. He was kind of tall and at that age just between boy and man, a bit of an endomorph still, and the look on his roundish face is one I will never forget.

[fight4my3sons]

12. you are absolutely right

I know your ghetto. Your posts are dear to me. I had to move my own family to get my boys away from that "scene", but I love that area and the people there. My ghetto was a little farther north up the river, but the same thing was going on up there. My best friend's son went 'away' when he was 16 yrs old and just got 'out'. He got caught up in the drug war on the streets.
What you are saying is so true about Obama. I know that friends of mine with kids in their teens are looking to him right now and saying 'maybe I do have a chance'. Yes he is motivating. Thank you for posting this.

[mdmc]

35. you know the deal-i-o

peace and low stress

[Number23]

75. Motivating

Yes he is motivating.

You're absolutely right. But the reason Obama is motivating is not because he did drugs 30 years ago! It's because he is a brilliant man of color who may for the first time have a shot at the highest job in the land because of his intellect and his ability.

There are too many black folks in the U.S. who DON'T and never HAVE done drugs, myself included. To say that we ("we" being inner city black folks, of which I was one before I moved out of the country) find inspiration in Obama because he did drugs and was still able to rise up the ranks is only seeing half of the story. I love Obama's brain and his life story is fascinating. I'm glad he stopped using drugs, but I don't think it's a major reason he has got the entire world rooting for him to win the presidency.

[fight4my3sons]

79. yes, you are absolutely correct

I did not mean to imply that just because one is from the ghetto, you use drugs. I know many that live in the ghetto that do not use drugs. I wouldn't just say black because where I am from the ghatto is black, white, and hispanic. When I wrote the post I was thinking of the previous post that mdmc had posted about a family in Newburgh that had lost two sons a few years apart to drive by shootings. The same type of incidents were prevalent in the area that I lived and worked in (Poughkeepsie). Unfortunately, Poughkeepsie has a lot of problems with drugs and gangs that are hard to escape even with community involvement. I think that Obama's past history of drug use is really such a small part of his past. I have never seen these kids interested in a candidate before and am just glad that they can relate to him for whatever reason. The reasons that I support him as an adult are probably different than the reasons that a teeneager would support him. I am just happy that a younger generation is paying attention now.

[Number23]

92. We definitely agree

I have never seen these kids interested in a candidate before and am just glad that they can relate to him for whatever reason.

You are absolutely right and I agree that the excitement Obama has generated among black and/or inner city residents is just phenomenal. I'm from Atlanta and all too often I know of grown black men and women that haven't voted in 20 years because they don't see any difference between the old candidates and the new. I think Obama has definitely changed that for alot of people. I wouldn't be surprised if the voter registration forms from 'hoods like both of ours were absolutely brimming with folks who haven't voted in years but who are now eagerly voting in November.

[MethuenProgressive]

16. Obama lived in a middle class suburban neighborhood, and went to an exclusive private school.

Probably the first ghetto Obama ever saw was the one in which his mentor Tony Rezko owned rental property. Citing drug use as a 'black thing to overcome' ignores the facts that most drug users are white, and that most people, AAs included, never try drugs at all.
Your premise is confused, your conclusions contorted.

[Doityourself]

19. And as usual, you miss the point...but why am I not surprised. Color yourself compassionate for

a while and maybe you will get why black people and others look to him as an inspiration on what can be and how far one can go...and how far this nation has come.

I say the same for Hillary and young girls and women too.

Stop being so closed-minded and ready to beat down Obama at every turn, it shows the color of your soul, and it ain't pretty or graceful.

[MethuenProgressive]

45. What post are you responding to? Certainly not mine.

"Color yourself compassionate for a while and maybe you will get why black people"

:rofl:

[Doityourself]

46. Yes, your post. I said black people and others. Nice try. Shame.

[SeaLyons]

20. That's not Obama's story....he did not grow up in the Ghetto...

quite the opposite, but if he becomes the nominee and can inspire any young person that feels stuck in their environment, then that will be wonderful.

[seabeyond]

22. nowhere did op claim obama was ghetto. he did state black man snorted cocaine

done better in life.... was able, was capable, .... inspiration to young blacks in a world that lacks hope. there is a point here if one choses to see.

[Doityourself]

47. Finally, we agree on something. If he can inspire anyone to reach beyond their current conditions..

I say it is a plus, not a minus. It's not about his upbringing and surroundings, it's about theirs (meaning those caught in unfortunate circumstances and/or growing up in less than desirable conditions).

[quantass]

23. I'm Black and have always been in upper-middle class and i can see where your're coming from

Besides what i see from movies and news about a ghetto i have never been to one in person but i can totally understand how you must feel and can imagine how Obama (and many non-black) can understand where you're coming from as well. It is very motivating and it isn't just to blacks but to many others including people like Asian-americans, Latinos, Women, and even white ghetto kids :hi:

[Doityourself]

49. I'm black and grew up poor, but I worked my way up and out of the ghetto.

I'm very successful and I had great inspiration to reach my current station in life; yes from my parents and a few teachers, but one specific teacher that was awe inspiring and encouraged me to expand and grasp my potential, and not to fear it. His story wasn't much different from mine, as mine is not different for a great deal of those currently living in the situation I once did.

So, if Obama can do for others what my teacher did for me, more power to him and them. It is amazing what inspiration and encouragement can do.. As my teacher use to tell me, if I can propel just one out of the ghetto, then I've succeeded.

Even though, I've escaped and have brought loved ones along with me, I'm still involved with those in the ghetto because I mentor and give back, hoping to do for others what was done for me.

Love him..for he changed my view of myself and my outlook on the world, pretty much what Obama has done for me in the political arena.

[papapi]

24. Thank you. Insightful and relevant. Not everyone needs to become President for...

Obama's story to be inspirational. Some posters missed the point. They are to wrapped up in hate to realize that some love and compassion might get us a great deal farther. Spiritual harmony be with you friend.

[crankychatter]

25. Hawaii, Kansas and Indonesia are hardly Ghetto... not to invalidate what you say though

Culturally, Obama is a White guy that adopted AA culture as an adult... or near adult.

Bush sniffed coke too. And you know as well as I do that Bill "slippery as a boiled peanut" Clinton, INHALED.

Whatever it was like for Obama, I'm quite sure he wasn't stuck in the middle of gang turf.

I've done some ghetto living. Quite a lot. I'm there right now. It's hard for a family of mixed culture and racial heritage. It's hard for a kid. I know a lot of Black folks that believe a lighter skinned Black person is haughty... thinks more highly of themselves than they ought to. The belief is they experience more social popularity and opportunity... more acceptance in white society. More desirability from the opposite sex. I've known many that have been abused by extended family... emotionally and physically... Called names and insulted "You dance like a White Girl"... that sort of thing.

Obama didn't have to endure that coming up. I'm going to have to read his book eventually. Just as soon as I find my grampa glasses and get an extra ten bucks.

:-)

[grantcart]

27. Several people in the thread apparently thought you were suggesting that

Senator Obama's election will serve as a template or a paradigm for inner city people.

I understood that you were simple making the point that it would be a symbolic point and not a paradigm or a template.


The reality is that people are oriented by symbols. Changing core symbols is not just 'symbolic' but represents a new reality.

On January 21st if the world wakes up to an African American family having slept in the White House and now in control of the most powerful job in the world the simple symbolic nature of that act will in fact create a new paradigm.


It will have an impact on Wall Street, Harlem and the projects. It will be intersting to see if it also has an impact on the Gaza strip and elsewhere.

It's going to be fun to watch - thanks for your post.

[crankychatter]

28. Good point.... Michelle is actually just as inspiring as Barack - n/t

I hesitate to even visualize them in the White House.

It's just too wonderful an image, after living in this tyranny.

[rox63]

31. Obama did not come out of a ghetto, but he did grow up as the "other"

The places where Obama grew up did not have many black people. As multi-cultural as Hawaii is, there aren't many black folks there. Most of Hawaii's multi-cultural society comes from Asia-Pacific nations. Not many black folks in Indonesia or Kansas either. So he was "different", or the "other", in all of the places where he grew up. Additionally, he was mostly raised by white people. So while he looked black to other people, he did not have the grounding and support of the black community that many other AA kids would have had. So in that way, he was also different from most other black people.

[madrchsod]

32. i agree

the real terror in this country is on the streets of urban america and it`s spreading to the pleasant valley suburbs. there`s a lot of dead and wounded in america over a street corner,a block,and a neighborhood.

obama election to the presidency may give them the idea that there is a way out...

[Freddie Stubbs]

50. Senator Obama did not grow up in an inner city ghetto

[Catherina]

53. The OP didn't say he did. What's with the loose answer? n/t

[mdmc]

55. no, but lots of black kids do

and they see hope in Obama.

[AZBlue]

57. It is inspiring!

K&R
:D

[zonkers]

59. Is it hard to get a latte in the ghetto?

[mdmc]

72. honestly, not hard at all

Before my ghetto became a ghetto, it was an immigrants city. There are still two Italian bakeries that sell latte' (cappuccino). There is also a couple coffeeshops in the gentrified 'historic district', which is on the cusp of the ghetto.

I think that lattes are my favorite drink in the world. I have one every morning. I have a cappuccino machine, but I usually just add milk to espresso that I make on the stove.

In the heart of the ghetto you can't get a latte. You can get coffee and you can get those fake powder cappuccinos that they sell from a hot chocolate machine, but not a latte.

[Binka]

65. Holy Shit My Dad Is A Native Of Newburgh!

My uncle was the chief of police there. Tuff city. No Shit!

[2rth2pwr]

73. I don't like how you are saying that drug use and sales are universal for black men in the ghetto.

Silly me, I'm the only one.

[Number23]

74. Where you from???

The fact that a black man can make mistakes common, if not universal, to those growing up in the Ghetto, and still become President is very motivating to those living in the inner city.

You seem to have a fairly low opinion of black men. Are you saying that every black man in America that did not use drugs, go to jail etc. is somehow an exception to the rule??? And for that, they should be lauded?? If that's what you're saying, I don't even know where to start. I know alot of brothers that would take deep and immediate offense to your statement.

Obama wasn't raised in a ghetto so why you feel that the "shortcomings" of the ghetto somehow apply to him is interesting. And I would argue vehemently that drug use is a common mistake made by folks in the ghetto anyway. When I was a kid, the "bad boys" in our neighborhood sold drugs, but they damn sure didn't use them. Most of the buyers were the white guys from across town.

[barack the house]

82. I appreciate this post to show how much this presidency will mean and change. It will mean hope.

[gmudem]

91. I live right across the river from you in Beacon

And in case anyone didn't believe mdmc, he is very much telling the truth about Newburgh. I can't imagine that is a very fun place to live.