The Daily OrangeAuthor pushes for Obama to address post-racism in America
By Laura Foti
Posted: 9/11/09, 12:00 AM EST Section: News
With the fervor of a preacher and the words of hip-hop greats, black intellectual and ordained Baptist minister Michael Eric Dyson brought an unexpected message to Syracuse University students Thursday night.
Dyson spoke about President Barack Obama's struggle not only to publicly address race but to defy those who aim to color his bi-racial roots only white or black.
"Race is a contribution of organizing culture around a positive definition," Dyson said. "My friend said, 'Obama's half white.' I replied, 'A lot of brothers in prison are half white, too. Nobody claims them.'"
Dyson, who spoke in Goldstein Auditorium in Schine Student Center at the Fall Convocation of the Student African American Society, pressed Obama to speak more frequently and frankly about the subject of race in America.
"He's not a prophet. He's not a race leader. He's a president and I expect him to talk about race. I will vote for him again and continue to challenge him in office so I can have the right to criticize him," Dyson said. "We've seen the hope, we want the audacity."
Dyson cited his own issues with racial identity as a light-skinned black man in a society that often questions one's blackness. "Roots should nurture, not strangle you," he said.
"Mr. Dyson is very inspiring - he doesn't beat around the bush," said Paul Barbosa, a junior in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
Dyson interspersed his address with quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr., singer Beyonce and rappers Lil Wayne and Drake, a combination of pop culture and history that resonated with the student audience.
"The notion of black authenticity has been a consistent thread weaved throughout the fabric of African American identity," Dyson said of the root of the skepticism surrounding Obama's ethnicity. "Hip-hop only amplifies the whispers and the shouts."
Tarryn Simmons, a graduate fellow in broadcast journalism, was surprised by what she heard. "Dyson's lecture took an interesting turn criticizing Obama. It's very rare you see an African-American say anything negative about Obama."
Dyson said Obama tends to "run from race like the plague."
"Obama needs to tell the truth about race. We don't need to be post-race, we need to be post-racist," he said. "It means we all come together of every race, ethnicity, region and sexual orientation."
A 13-year-old audience member, who introduced himself as Joe from Massachusetts, asked Dyson if he had one life-changing moment that inspired him to share these ideas with others.
"My teacher, Mrs. James, taught us about black history even when it wasn't popular. It made a difference to me," Dyson said. "It led directly to what I do today as a professor, writer and thinker."
After hearing all that Dyson had to say, Joe said, "I'm not a big reader, Mr. Dyson. But after today I'm going to read your book."
lefoti@syr.edu
Dyson spoke about President Barack Obama's struggle not only to publicly address race but to defy those who aim to color his bi-racial roots only white or black.
"Race is a contribution of organizing culture around a positive definition," Dyson said. "My friend said, 'Obama's half white.' I replied, 'A lot of brothers in prison are half white, too. Nobody claims them.'"
Dyson, who spoke in Goldstein Auditorium in Schine Student Center at the Fall Convocation of the Student African American Society, pressed Obama to speak more frequently and frankly about the subject of race in America.
"He's not a prophet. He's not a race leader. He's a president and I expect him to talk about race. I will vote for him again and continue to challenge him in office so I can have the right to criticize him," Dyson said. "We've seen the hope, we want the audacity."
Dyson cited his own issues with racial identity as a light-skinned black man in a society that often questions one's blackness. "Roots should nurture, not strangle you," he said.
"Mr. Dyson is very inspiring - he doesn't beat around the bush," said Paul Barbosa, a junior in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
Dyson interspersed his address with quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr., singer Beyonce and rappers Lil Wayne and Drake, a combination of pop culture and history that resonated with the student audience.
"The notion of black authenticity has been a consistent thread weaved throughout the fabric of African American identity," Dyson said of the root of the skepticism surrounding Obama's ethnicity. "Hip-hop only amplifies the whispers and the shouts."
Tarryn Simmons, a graduate fellow in broadcast journalism, was surprised by what she heard. "Dyson's lecture took an interesting turn criticizing Obama. It's very rare you see an African-American say anything negative about Obama."
Dyson said Obama tends to "run from race like the plague."
"Obama needs to tell the truth about race. We don't need to be post-race, we need to be post-racist," he said. "It means we all come together of every race, ethnicity, region and sexual orientation."
A 13-year-old audience member, who introduced himself as Joe from Massachusetts, asked Dyson if he had one life-changing moment that inspired him to share these ideas with others.
"My teacher, Mrs. James, taught us about black history even when it wasn't popular. It made a difference to me," Dyson said. "It led directly to what I do today as a professor, writer and thinker."
After hearing all that Dyson had to say, Joe said, "I'm not a big reader, Mr. Dyson. But after today I'm going to read your book."
lefoti@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Chip
posted 9/13/09 @ 12:57 PM EST
Do you also support the stopping of race-based admission standards (watered-down) and financial aid at SU and other schools? And don't say this is not happening. (Continued…)
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