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Anyone with a passing interest in the ongoing U.S. Democratic primaries might have heard raves about a certain Obama speech today. Go ahead and hear it in its entirety first. I must agree with pundits who are hailing it as one of the greatest speech on race since Martin Luther King’s I’ve a dream speech. This speech was necessitated by a certain angst-filled speech by Obama’s pastor. Race relations have always played an important role in U.S. politics and as Obama mentions in his speech has been exploited often by politicians to further their personal ends. He didn’t simply sympathize with African Americans and send whites down a guilt trip but gave an nuanced explanation of the current race imbroglio in the United States.
If you wonder why a desi student like me who has hardly spent time in the U.S. understand about race relations fraught with discrimination and prejudice, then try and contextualize Obama’s speech in an Indian context as well. Just simply replace blacks with Muslims and whites with Hindus and you’ll find plenty of common ground in the way religion (and now caste) is ingrained in Indian politics. I’m sure you will nod your head when Obama talks about opinions within a particular community against another expressed in hushed tones while being politely deferential when with others. You might remember a certain relative or even your parent who agreed that Muslims deserved to be taught a lesson in Gujarat or how Babri Masjid deserved to be torn down.
No matter where you travel or live, some things never change. Poor Obama keeps on harping, yes we can. Can we?
by Patrix | on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 at 3:00 am | 
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March 19th, 2008 at 4:56 am reply
Dear Dick,
DOES OBAMA EVEN KNOW WHO HE AND HIS DESPICABLE PASTOR HAVE OFFENDED MOST, AND WHY HIS FAVORABILITY RATING IS IN FREEFALL?
Why is a guy who grew up a rich kid with a Kenyan father and Southern White mother (no ties to being a slave whatsoever) lecturing Northern Whites regarding the Civil War when it was our ancestors who fought and died in the Union Army to free the slaves?
Is Obama kidding or what? Yes, Senator Obama, let’s have a discussion about race in America and then maybe you’ll understand why you are in absolute freefall against John McCain in States like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Michgian.
Lexi
March 19th, 2008 at 9:59 am reply
wah kya oocha sooch hai aap kha bhi aur obama kha bhi
March 19th, 2008 at 1:19 pm reply
Angst need not be one way, it almost always is two ways.
What brings it to the fore is to what extent is one side prepared to go to display it, and to what effect. This more than anything determines fanaticism, leaving behind memories that transcend time, because they transcended centuries.
Not for nothing is India a ‘Wounded Civilisation’ like someone famous once said famously!
March 19th, 2008 at 6:12 pm reply
IMO, race has been made a part of this campaign by the Obama Democrats, to somehow improve his chances.
If race was REALLY such a huge issue in this country, Obama wouldn’t be on the verge of the Democratic nomination. ie. there must be many caucasians voting for him.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:07 pm reply
Patrix, have you read the book “Race Matters” by Cornel West? If not, check it out - it’s a quick read. When I read it a while ago, I was thinking the same thing - some striking parallels between race issues in the US, and religion issues in India. :)
March 19th, 2008 at 8:33 pm reply
Anil, Yup! But although I don’t condone it, anger should be understood in its context.
Stone, yeah sure! Anything that can be exploited in a political race is. However, if you remember when the race started, the political pundits were talking if America was ready for a black president and America showed them their lack of touch with reality.
Amit, Nope, I haven’t but knowing what I know about Cornel West, I am not surprised.
March 20th, 2008 at 9:05 pm reply
In India it is not so simple as Black and White (pun unintended)- the word black need not be replaced only with muslims. It can also be replaced with Dalits, Gujjars, OBC, SC/ST, poor, middle class, women, blind, disabled-just about any one who is on the fringes of development and vitims of discrimination. This Obama thinggy is just too much rhetoric and emotion and Heh? for me.
Better to light a candle than curse the darkeness.
March 21st, 2008 at 9:48 am reply
Deepa, of course, it isn’t as simple in India but then he was talking about the U.S. so it cannot be all that similar yet there were enough parallels for me. And rhetoric? Obama’s speech was anything but. The lack of applause lines (didn’t stop the intermittent applause though)and loud proclamations that usually are appreciated by crowds were lacking and for a good reason. He wanted you to think and not clap.
It was a candle in more ways than one, IMO. Seeing the movie Crash would be a start to understanding the current scenario of race in the U.S. He expanded on it and told us why it may be so.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:15 am reply
Patrix-thanks. My comment was not so much on the race scenario in US (of which I have none or limited understanding) but more a response to the parallel you made with muslims in India. Anything that makes people think - I am all for it. If they enjoy and clap or not is secondary, but it was a good observation. I’ll now check Indian speeches more carefully. The candle quote also was more about politicians in India who are normally swaying the crowds with “bhashan”. I guess I see most things with a India centric perspective :(
P.S- Just wondering,Is there a way to spell check comments box? I noticed a typo I made in my earlier comment.