Shelby Steele on Obama and the Politics of Race: Part 1/5

In conversation with Peter Robinson, Shelby Steele explores Barack Obama's candidacy — and his character — in light of the two strategies that African Americans have traditionally used for dealing with life in the white American mainstream: bargaining and challenging. In so doing, Steele not only reveals the paradox and weakness at the heart of Obama's campaign but also delves into challenges America faces as it seeks to go beyond the exhausted racial politics that now prevail.

About Shelby Steele
Shelby Steele is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution whose research examines the role of race in American society and the consequences of contemporary social programs on race relations. Steele has written extensively for major publications including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. He is also the author of several books including, most recently, A Bound Man: Why We Are Excited About Obama and Why He Can't Win.

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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Obama
• 2008
• Presidential
• Election
• Race
• Shelby
• Steele
• Uncommon
• Knowledge

[TheFashionistaChic]

Barack Obama is President Elect because he ran an impeccable campaign. Barack Obama won the election by a landslide because he was the best candidate considering the state of the economy and foreign affairs.

Shelby Steele makes many accusations about several public figures regarding their motivation. What is Shelby Steeles motivation? He appears to capitalizing on race relations in our country. Strategically, I must admit.

[AngrySkeptic]

Perter Robinson and Shelby Steele have since sat down again since the election.

If you are interested, I will upload the series.

[EasyEs]

How exactly was Obama the best Candidate considering the State of the economy and Foreign affairs? I really have no idea where you got that idea?

[westchesterny]

The deal is less with "white America" (huge non-connected group) than the powers that be. Whites have to "bargain" to work and play white privilege, no matter how much spam they ate as a kid. That's why hardly any white gentiles are teaching in universities anymore (only "bargainers.") Read "White Like Me," that's what one writes to get published many times--what schools tell you to write/say. Any white non-bargainers are "racists" etc. The socialization makes debtors. Banks win.

[TheFashionistaChic]

A statement is made about The Trinity United Church Barack belongs. Substandard? This is a discussion about his spiritual and religious affiliation. Also, stating intellectually beneath him? His spiritual believes transcends his intellect, having more to do with intuition and faith. I found the statement in its entirety IGNORANT at best.

[TheFashionistaChic]

Oprah is the Essence of individual responsibility. Her life is dedicated to coaching on self accountability. She leads by example. As Obama she has transcend race.

[TheFashionistaChic]

Cosby, Oprah had Cosby on her show from my interpretation she supported Cosby in his feelings. For clarification my interpretation of Bill Cosbys frustration was Come on People We have made great strides there are a multitude of opportunity. What are you doing He was speaking to us his children as a father figure. A behavior very common in our community by our grandparents.

[kilmarnock63]

akuroo,

Yeah, you're probably right. Dr. Steele seems to put too much emphasis on "black" people's interest in holding history over "whites" in order to have some power. But I think a lot of younger "black" people have NO interest in doing that. They're more interested in further creating a society where everybody gets a fair shake based on merit. I think younger "blacks" and "whites" see Obama as a step forward for everybody, not a step backwards for "blacks", the way Dr. Steele does.

[akuraoo]

Could Shelby Steele be still caught up in what Barack Obama charactarized as a time warp the same way as Rev. Jeremiah Wright by simplifying the dynamics of American society as just black and white?

[johnlorican]

I've watched these videos, now, three times over the last two months. As I've watched it for the third time (9/30), the economy is in a mess - and Obama is up in the polls by 5 points across the board.

I find it AMAZING that a higher percentage of the American public believes that Obama has a better grasp of domestic issues and the economy than John McCain. I realize there's a month left in the election- but it's STILL stunning to me. Other than a gifted orator, what IS HE????