Barack Obama
Recently I’ve been thinking about Barack Obama, Henry Louis Gates, Van Jones, and Greenbridge.
When tension around race comes up, our society has a really difficult time differentiating between individual incidents of incivility and patterns of bias. South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson thinks that an apology for his single act of disrespect is enough. But others see his “You Lie” comment towards the President to be part of a larger racial pattern questioning Obama’s authority. Henry Louis Gates saw being arrested in his own home in the light of a larger pattern of racial profiling. The police officer who arrested him thought he was just arresting a guy who threatened his authority.
Closer to home, Greenbridge and its developers continue to come under criticism for gentrifying Northside, and some attacks this summer called the Greenbridge developers racist. UNC-NOW and other Greenbridge critics see this project as a part of the larger pattern of African-American displacement in Chapel Hill. Not surprisingly, Greenbridge’s developers say they’re just one project impacting the neighborhood, and one that came relatively late to the gentrification party at that.
From Saturday's Herald-Sun/CHH: "President Obama's plan to give a televised speech to the nation's students Tuesday might be causing a ruckus in some locales....
But
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Neil Pedersen has sent
a note encouraging principals and teachers to make Obama's speech
available to students Tuesday at noon if schedules permit.
Obama plans to urge students to work hard, set goals and to take
responsibility for their educations. President George H.W. Bush gave a
similar back-to-school address in 1991 and so did President Ronald
Reagan before him."
No single episode has spotlighted the crazed, anti-Obama monomania of Republicans as well as this one. There's such a stunning lack of acknowledgment of their own inconsistency that we could stand in awe if it weren't part of a larger, yet more irrational and predatory mindset.
President Obama believes that we, as Americans,
have a responsibility to help our communities and fellow citizens
PLEASE JOIN
the Orange County Campaign for Change
in supporting the
YES WE CANS FOOD DRIVE
to benefit the
Interfaith Council (IFC)
&
Orange Congregations in Mission (OCIM)
Help collect food in your neighborhood, at your work place, among friends
BRING ALL DONATIONS TO EITHER LOCATION (non perishable items only):
The Carrboro Farmers Market
(in the Free Speech Zone)
Cup-A-Joe 120 W. King St.
Hillsborough
Both from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, on February 28th
(see www.mybarackobama.com for details)
Date:
Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 4:00am to 7:00am
I have been hearing about a lot of inauguration-related activities going on this weekend and through Tuesday. I'd rather not have them clog up the calendar, but I thought it would be helpful to list them all in one place. Here's what I know about so far, please post additional events and let us know how you're observing this landmark event.
Orange County Inaugural celebration and community gathering featuring live music, slam poetry, MLK tributes, dance party, local restaurant specials. Talent includes renowned fiddler Joe Thompson, hip hop band "The Beast", slam poetry team "Sacrificial Poets," acoustic roots musicians "Mebanesville." More acts and activities confirming daily! Event organized by Orange County Campaign for Change. Century Center - 5-10 p.m. (Free!)
Southern Rail Dance Party - 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ($10 cover)
Donation of cans for "Yes We Cans" Project in exchange for access to restaurant discounts and specials.
More information: Craig Perrin - 415-218-7806
Date:
Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 12:00pm
Location:
Century Center (music, activities, tributes), Southern Rail (Dance Party)
Pages
About Us
OrangePolitics is a not-for-profit website for discussing progressive perspectives on politics, planning, and public policy in Orange County, NC. Opinions are those of their authors. Learn more.
Community Guidelines
By using this site, you agree to our community guidelines. Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will result in moderation or eviction.
Zircon - This is a contributing Drupal Theme
Design by
WeebPal.
