By Bruce Joffe Piedmont, Calif.
Barak Obama’s speech, “A More Perfect Union,” recognized that many of us feel some degree of black anger and white resentment. He acknowledged these emotions while neither justifying them nor condemning them. While condemning their hateful expression, he conceded that these feelings exist. Admitting them is the first step to dissolving them and moving onward.
Obama spoke from the heart, from his true experience of living in both our black and our white cultures. His life, indeed his DNA, embodies our truly American experience.
Obama mapped out a vision for getting beyond the distractions of race and racism, toward solving the real problems we face: War, economy, health, education, and environment.
An imperfect man leading us toward a more perfect union, Obama is a mensch, a real human being, the real deal. After so very many years of lesser candidates and presidents, let us hope that the American people can tell the difference. Perhaps even some political pundits, nay-sayers, and fear mongers will recognize his sensible hopefulness when they hear him.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 24, 2008. Read the original PDF.