Is it the right thing for Obama to do?
http://media.www.ncatregister.com/...
Attending the event which has annually been one where black people unite to voice their opinions on the state of black america in terms of all the challenges they face in a socieity where prejudice continues to prevail at all levels of societal interaction, makes Obama's conspicuous abscence from the event fodder for those in the black community who find him "too white" or "not black enough"
My personal opinion is that if Barack Obama were to attend this event, it would corner him into being the black candidate when he is trying to broaden his appeal to all americans and is locked in a tight contest in 2 states that may determine his chances for the presidency.
But one must ask onself, what hRC is doing attending this event??
Further, would HRC not attend a feminist event?
Interesting questions to ponder.
Clearly as the coordinator and organizer of this event, Tavis Smiley has called Obama's refusal to attend a "serious miscalculation"
The black community is up in arms about this situation.
I hope we can all unite and support Barack Obama for uniting a very divided country rather than pigeon hole him in this way?
Could it be possible for him to go to the event and come out looking quite good? Its possible but it would be a tough political dance in the face of Cornel West and Al Sharpton and jjesse Jackson and Michael Eric Dyson and other thinkers and leaders who might be in attendance, and focus on issues most important to black people.
I believe that sometimes you just have to be politically practical.
Attending an event where you'v elocked up the support of that constituency versus campaigning in ohio and texas where the fight and struggle is still quite active.
There is no doubt in my mind, in a diffrent circumstance Barack would have attended the event.