Princeton Professor: ‘America Is Still Poisoned by Racism’
EmailABC News On Campus reporter Matt Gelb blogs: The inauguration of Barack Obama as the nation’s first black president Tuesday can only make Martin Luther King’s message more poignant, Princeton University professor of religion and African American studies Eddie Glaude said Sunday night. “A national holiday in (King’s) honor ought to be a reminder of the incompleteness and fragility of our democracy,” said Glaude, the keynote speaker at Syracuse University’s 24th annual Martin Luther King celebration. “Not a celebration of American triumphs, even as we are poised on the edge of history.” Glaude often alluded to Obama during his 45-minute speech, which capped the celebration inside the Carrier Dome that included songs, awards and readings. He cited King’s prophetic words of change during the Civil Rights movement as a harbinger for Obama’s election, but cautioned against merely settling for that. “Despite the success of the movement, America is still poisoned by racism,” Glaude said. “The sickness of the nation’s soul requires much more. … It’s not enough that we elect President Obama.” Alicia Bourne, a junior biology and psychology major, liked how Glaude didn’t try to simply sugarcoat Obama’s election as the end all be all. “I was glad that he did that because a lot of people don’t take into the fact that it doesn’t stop here, that it’s a continual progress,” Bourne said. “It’s an evolution, which started from the days of slavery to now, where we’ve come to the point where we have a black president.” But Obama’s inauguration Tuesday was on the minds of many in attendance. When Glaude first mentioned Obama’s name, a loud cheer resonated. And multiple times throughout his speech about King, Glaude teased the audience saying, “I’m getting there,” in reference to Obama. Before Glaude spoke, both the Syracuse University Black Celestial Choral Ensemble and Total Praise Community Choir sang to the 14 rows of dinner tables that took up half of the Dome’s football field. The ceremony meant more than in past years because of Obama’s election, Bourne said. She has attended the celebration for three years in a row. “It is special because you actually get to see the progress of Martin Luther King’s dream,” Bourne said. “It leaves you with pride.” That’s why, as Glaude said, King’s teachings can serve as a reminder of what must still be accomplished. “As we stand on the verge of history,” Glaude said, “what better way to do so and what more substantive act could we be engaged in, than one commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King?”
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“Despite the success of the movement, America is still poisoned by racism,”
Sure is, but not how he thinks it is. The racism from decades ago has been replaced by appeasement, affirmative action, and entitlements. Personal responsibility has left the house and isn’t coming home any time soon.
Posted by: Stan | January 19, 2009, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
There is also something called reverse racism. And it is not coming from those who are white. People like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are good at keeping it alive. Would they be able to grab the limelight if they would stop with the racism themselves? They thrive on it because that is how they make a living in my opinion. They are not peacemakers.
Posted by: Fran | January 19, 2009, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
Fran,
I don’t think it is really Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who are responsible for reverse racism. They were marginalized during the Obama campaign and now as a result of his election. As I recall, it was the white liberal media and white democratic govenment officials (Murtha in PA in particular) who constantaly called any and everyone who did not want to cast their vote for Obama racists. It was the media who black mailed the public at large and women in particular with the label of racist and misyganistic slurs. So I think Sharpton and Jackson really should be left out of this now. It is white liberals who have picked up the mantle of reverse racism, demeaning and devaluing women who run for office and spreading Obama propoganda which early in his campaign reached a level of cult of personality. It’s sad to see how the public’s resovle has been weakened to the extent that the media and corrupt government officials are able to successfully control their minds while presenting them with an inexperienced leader, selected because of his race. Now that the public’s undivided attention is trained on the this great first black president, corrupt officials are able to continue looting the country’s treasury with impunity and will finally finish ruining the country. And for the record, I’m a black person! So how do you reconcile that?
Posted by: steelwaters | January 19, 2009, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
What does it take to please Blacks???? Are we suppose kiss-up to these people at all times? Enough is enough. GROW UP! This racism thing is a total BORE.
Posted by: Dave | January 19, 2009, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
Racism will never be over.The African-American community has no reason to think that they are being held down any longer.Unfortunately in four to eight years their opinions will not have changed.For all those that voted for Mr.Obama simply becauseof his race will be sorely surprised. He is nothing like those that voted for him.He is a Harvard graduate who will never have to live his life as a normal citizen.Four short years ago another African-American reached the third highest office in this land.Yet I don’t recall all the praise that Mr. Obama recieves being heaped upon Ms. Rice.
Posted by: william tripp | January 19, 2009, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm
Has it ever dawned on anyone that its AFRICAN AMERICAN ACTIVISTS who are the only ones keeping ‘racism’ alive?
Racism by whites is basically a myth at this point for whites as a whole.
Its getting tougher and tougher for the african antagoists to FIND racism these days to keep their VICTIMIZATION ADVANTAGE alive and well.
P.S.
Notice how Asians, Native americans and even Latios arent WHINING and SNIVELLING like little children? Notice how African american professional victims could CARE LESS about any other group other than their own cause ?
Posted by: infoseeking | January 19, 2009, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
Hey, Goofball Eddie, You talk about racism? Take a look at the OJ Simpson trial. Your fellow blacks even got a murderer off!!! You people are the ones who are making it racist. The blacks and jews are the most racist of any people, there are and I for one, am fed up with their game playing.
Posted by: Anna | January 19, 2009, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm
EXECUTIVE ORDER issued by President George w. Bush on the 01.16.09., a legal action is being filed in the Federal Court in the Central District of California. The executive order provides for Reciprocity and Reinvestigation of Individuals in positions of public trust.http://drorly.blogspot.com/2009/01/for-immediate-release.html
legitimacy for presidency of Barack Hussein Obama, aka Barry Obama aka Barry Soetoro legitimacy for presidency and US citizenship.
Posted by: Mike | January 19, 2009, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm
Anna
There are black racist and jews racists. But there also white racist and not racist. The fact is many white people are still racist, discriminate and treat other races as inferior (like many other races do; the japanese, chinese…). This is a fact that many white has to live with it. I never heard kill him because he is black, I never hear we dont need a white in the white house.
Posted by: cheguevera | January 19, 2009, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
Interesting that NEVER, EVER in these kinds of speeches do you hear these race huslters define what the end game is.
Exactly what do you who “claim” to represent the black people of America want? What are the criteria that need to be satisfied so that the country can move forward as a nation of Americans, not a collection of victim groups
Posted by: Mike_C | January 20, 2009, 8:44 am 8:44 am