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 Brazilians Hit Hard by Covid-19
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley and Glen Ford
    Black Brazilians Hit Hard by Covid-19
    10 Aug 2020
    Brazil and the US lead the world in coronavirus fatalities, with Blacks in both countries dying disproportionately, said Jaime Amparo Alves, an author and social anthropologis
  • “Black August” Honors Captives of Armed Struggle
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley and Glen Ford
    “Black August” Honors Captives of Armed Struggle
    10 Aug 2020
    “Black August started in San Quentin to highlight the armed struggle,” said Jihad Abdulmumit, chairperson of the Jericho Movement, which advocates for political prisoners
  • Political Prisoners: “Say Their Names”
    Glen Ford, BAR Executive Editor
    Political Prisoners: “Say Their Names”
    06 Aug 2020
    Unless folks are under the delusion that victory over the “fascists” is imminent, the condition of political prisoners should be a deeply personal, as well as political, concern to all activists.
  • Freedom Rider: How Trump Can Steal the 2020 Election
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR senior columnist
    Freedom Rider: How Trump Can Steal the 2020 Election
    05 Aug 2020
    The election was stolen from Clinton four years ago and the even weaker 2020 candidate can expect the same fate.
  • American Left Silence on China Helps Lay Foundation for the U.S.’ New Cold War
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    American Left Silence on China Helps Lay Foundation for the U.S.’ New Cold War
    05 Aug 2020
    When it comes to China, Democracy Now, Jacobin, The Nation and others on the imperial-minded US ‘left” are allies of white supremacy.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us