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


  • The NBA Strike Brings the Counterinsurgency War on Black Liberation Movement to Basketball
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    The NBA Strike Brings the Counterinsurgency War on Black Liberation Movement to Basketball
    09 Sep 2020
    When NBA players threatened to disrupt business as usual the ruling class deployed perhaps its most effective weapon of counterinsurgency: Barack Obama.
  • It’s Time to Acknowledge Hutu Genocide and Rwandan Occupation of DR Congo
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    It’s Time to Acknowledge Hutu Genocide and Rwandan Occupation of DR Congo
    09 Sep 2020
    “Global power elites are silent about Hutu genocide and Rwanda’s ongoing occupation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” writes Ann Garrison, “because it has served their interests for many
  • Olympics of Lying: Lipsticking a pig
    BAR Poet-in-Residence Raymond Nat Turner
    Olympics of Lying: Lipsticking a pig
    09 Sep 2020
    Red, white, blue burning crosses  light up Capitalist Hill, War House,  White Supreme Court sky. A 500 ft phallic symbol middle fingers poor
  • Kevin Zeese, the Passing of a Warrior for Peace and Justice
    Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, BAR editor and columnist
    Kevin Zeese, the Passing of a Warrior for Peace and Justice
    09 Sep 2020
    The human rights community mourns veteran activist Kevin Zeese, my friend and comrade.
  • Join the Black Peoples March on Trump’s White House -- Just Like We Did Obama’s
    Black is Back Coalition
    Join the Black Peoples March on Trump’s White House -- Just Like We Did Obama’s
    09 Sep 2020
    The Black Power Matters March directs us to fight against colonialism, for Black Community Control of the Police, and for a Black Agenda for Self-Determination. 
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us