Maya Soetoro-Ng, Barack's Sister-Where Biography Does Matter

[babylonsister]

Run time: 04:12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m4didWsPKE   Posted on YouTube: February 13, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: February 17, 2008 By DU Member: babylonsister Views on DU: 5758

 
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/02/16/where-biography-does-matters.aspx

Where Biography Does Matter

For those questioning Barack Obama's appeal to women voters, or his prioritization of "women's issues," from health to abuse to choice, I think it's wise to note that despite the dreams from his father, Obama's domestic existence has been dominated by females since birth--in every direction. A single mother raised him, and he, in turn is raising two young girls. Horizontally, of course there is Michelle (whose role as a 'strong woman' compass is getting quite the airing this week) and his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, a teacher in Hawaii.

In addition to being profiled in the New York Times Magazine last month, Soetoro-Ng has recorded an insightful interview touching upon her upbringing alongside Obama.

Not only does the segment contain a treasure trove of humanizing moments, the family photos (especially @ 1:44) are a jaw-dropping reminder that the "post-racial thing" is not just some screwball, so-crazy-it-might-work proposition for America's politics, but an indigenous outcropping of Obama's personal life.

--Dayo Olopade

[saltpoint]

1. Recommended.

[Yael]

2. K&R

Excellent. I loved the collage of photos!

[dkf]

3. Everybody is such a mish-mash of races in Hawaii that

its hard to pigeonhole people.

Frankly, mixed race kids are simply gorgeous.

[billbuckhead]

6. So non-mixed race kids aren't attractive?

[chelaque liberal]

7. Are we bored?

[billbuckhead]

9. Replacing one racism with another isn't advancement.

[dkf]

11. Oh boy, we can't even say we think a particular race or mix race is attractive to us

because its racism?

Seriously...

ON edit. You know your post really pisses me off. I am telling you how we here in Hawaii are accepting of everyone and how this melding together has created some really beautiful kids and you call US racist? Isn't what I am telling you the opposite of racist?

[dkf]

10. My nieces are the most gorgeous kids in the world I think

and they are hapa haole (half asian half white).

I'm sorry if you are offended at that.

[billbuckhead]

16. "Frankly, mixed race kids are simply gorgeous."

"Frankly, purple kids are simply gorgeous."

Just pointing out the chauvinism.

[dkf]

17. Chauvinism? I thought that had to do with sex?

I think you are being a little over sensitive here.

Are you thinking "Hmm, I am not a mixed race person, therefore DKF doesn't think I am gorgeous"?

For all I know maybe you are gorgeous. Geez.

[Bongo Prophet]

4. Thanks to you, babylonsister. What a testament to character.

How I wish those who dehumanize the "other side" could see this and acknowledge the warmth and beauty of this very interesting family.

Choose your candidates on policy, issues and, yes, on character and leadership qualities.
But no demeaning of real people is justifiable.
Antone that could do so after seeing this, has some self-examination that needs to be done.

[janetblond]

5. THANKS for that wonderful video.

I hope she's working for him in Hawaii.
I wonder if she speaks espanol?
She'd be great with the latinos.
:>)

[NOLALady]

8. She said she learned Spanish

because she was so often mistaken for Latina.

[aquart]

12. Why?

[KoKo]

19. Yes....She's out there working for him in Hawaii....CNN showed a clip of

her with the crowds.

[sloppyjoe25s]

13. Wow - i'm so glad this got re-posted!

since something happened first time.

Great Video!

[unc70]

14. Any observations about the other 6 siblings of BHO?

Does any of that provide any additional insight?

[SeattleGirl]

15. Good interview!

Thanks for posting!

[DeepModem Mom]

18. She is great! Thanks for posting -- K&R.