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


  • Glen Ford’s Passing – Devastating Blow for Africans Everywhere
    Milton Allimadi
    Glen Ford’s Passing – Devastating Blow for Africans Everywhere
    02 Aug 2021
    Glen Ford was committed to the liberation of African people.
  • Glen Ford – From Elder to Ancestor
    Ready for the Revolution
    Glen Ford – From Elder to Ancestor
    02 Aug 2021
    Ford led the way in political education. “I’m telling you these stories because that is what elders do, we remember things” - Glen Ford
  • Glen Ford and Haiti: A Tribute
    Danny Haiphong and Margaret Kimberley
    Glen Ford and Haiti: A Tribute
    30 Jul 2021
    Danny Haiphong and Margaret Kimberley are joined by Dr.
  • Freedom Rider: Standing with the Cuban People
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR senior columnist
    Freedom Rider: Standing with the Cuban People
    23 Jul 2021
    The current Black-centered Cuban protest operation is very well orchestrated and if Black people in this country are not careful, they will end up amplifying the dictates of U.S.
  • DOCUMENT: The Rise of Black Power in the West Indies: Walter Rodney, 1969
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    DOCUMENT: The Rise of Black Power in the West Indies: Walter Rodney, 1969
    23 Jul 2021
    Rodney succinctly demonstrates how capitalism and colonialism, and nationalism and imperialism, function to create a rigid hierarchy by which color is fused with class to keep the Black majorities
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us