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

  • Black Agenda Radio
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio July 19, 2024
    19 Jul 2024
    This week, two scholars provide an analysis of the 2024 presidential election. We talk about Project 2025, the conservative manifesto being used to save Joe Biden’s re-election, and how it should be…
  • Trump shooting
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Biden's Weakness, His Debate with Trump, and the Assassination Attempt on Trump
    19 Jul 2024
    Dr. Anthony Monteiro joins us from Philadelphia to talk about the 2024 presidential election, the aftermath of the Trump and Biden debate, and the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
  • Election 2024
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley , Charisse Burden-Stelly, PhD
    Project 2025, the 2024 Election, and Political Discernment
    19 Jul 2024
    We talk to Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly about the 2024 presidential election, the controversy surrounding Project 2025, and Joe Biden’s physical health - topics worthy of discussion that must be…
  • Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    The Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump and Political Violence Waged by the U.S.
    17 Jul 2024
    The words “political violence” are the latest hackneyed and dishonest phrase emanating from the political class. The assassination attempt on Donald Trump was a minor affair compared to the treatment…
  • Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    TRANSCRIPT: Analyzing the Correct Method in Combating American Fascism, George Jackson, 1971
    17 Jul 2024
    Martyred Black Panther, George Jackson told us long ago that fascism has been the de facto political state of the US for some time. Today we can clearly see that both Trump and Biden are, quite…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us