Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Is Barack Obama Good For Black People? The Great Debate in Harlem, Part 2 of 2
Bill Quigley
12 Aug 2009
🖨️ Print Article
On June 25, hundreds of black America's formost thnkers and doers gathered at St. Mary's Church in Harlem NY to ask and answer the question of whether Barack Obama was good or bad for black America. We here present some of the 5 to 7 minute presentations pro and con on whether Barack Obama is good for black America. Click the flash players to listen to or the mics to download them in MP3 format.

Glen Ford

The fact, says Dr. Jared Ball of Morgan State University and voxunion.com, is that Barack Obama did not emerge from the struggle of our people for peace and justice.  He has been imposed upon us by outside forces in answer to that struggle, not in fulfillment of it..

Charles Barron

 

While NY City Councilman Charles Barron disagrees with some of Obama's policies, he seems to draw a line around those who disagree with the president, calling them “intellectuals” who he says, do the hood no good.

 

Dr. Marimba Ani

Give the brotha a break?  Dr. Marimba Ani doesn't think we should give the American empire a break.  If anything, she notes, having a black man sitting in the big chair makes it harder to fight.

Charles Barron

 

argues that Barack Obama represents incremental but significant change, and even though the election was eight months ago, reaches back to compare Obama with McCain.

 

 

Viola Plummer

Barack Obama is a “yes we can” symbol of national unity for black people, says Viola Plummer.

.

 

Diop Olugbala

 

 

The Uhuru Movement's Diop Olugbala argues that a lesser evil is still quite evil. We can, he insists, do better.

 

Click here for part one of the Great Debate in Harlem, with Glen Ford, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Nellie Bailey and Dr. Gloria Browne Marshall

 

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    Nicaraguan Democracy Exposes the U.S. Oligarchy
    24 Jul 2024
    The Republic of Nicaragua recently celebrated 45 years of its revolutionary government. The U.S. labels it and other nations that demand self-determination and sovereignty as “undemocratic." However…
  • Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    CHAPTER: The Ford Foundation and Black Power, Robert L. Allen, 1968
    24 Jul 2024
    The late Robert L. Allen broke down the dialectics of Black elite co-option and counter-revolution. Hello, Kamala.
  • ​​​​​​​ Ajamu Baraka, BAR editor and columnist
    War, Genocide and Coups: Biden/Harris and The Irreversible Crisis of Neoliberal Fake Democracy
    24 Jul 2024
    The Imperialist chickens have come home to roost.
  • Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    Chicago Authorities Want a “Conversation” with the Poor People’s Army about the DNC 2024
    24 Jul 2024
    The Poor People’s Army has a permit to march to the steps of the Democratic National Convention in August, but now Chicago authorities want to have a “conversation” with them.
  • Biden drops out news
    Abayomi Azikiwe, Black Agenda Report Contributor
    Biden Steps Aside in Favor of Harris as the RNC Further Solidifies the Cult of Trump
    24 Jul 2024
    Under pressure since the June 27 disastrous debate, the president exits the campaign creating more uncertainty on the political landscape.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us