Barack Obama was heckled today by a small group of young people representing the “International African Revolution”. Protesters wanted to know why Obama hadn’t been addressing the concerns of Black America, including the plight of the Jena 6.
In an odd and unintended way, these folks are helping Mr. Obama’s campaign. Focusing on the plight of the poor and the outcast in the heat of a general election is a sure path to defeat for any candidate in these United States. As a people, we are uneasy with “soft” politicians. We want to hear about personal responsibility, hard consequences, common sense and “a strong America”. Criticizing the actions of soldiers, police officers and prosecutors is suicidal politics.
Barack Obama has a strong shot at the presidency because he understands these things.
I am trying to make Middle America more sensitive to the need for criminal justice reform. I wish the average Joe and Jane cared about folks like Sean and Mychal Bell. Tragically, the reality is otherwise.
Barack Obama and John McCain realize there is no political mandate for sweeping criminal justice reform in America. It is our job–yours and mine–to change hearts and mind through patient, respectful and sensitive advocacy. There are no short cuts here. We must cross culture war battle lines and take our case to the kind of people who control the political process.
Purity and power have never been on good terms. Our first job is to elect a candidate who favors reform. Our second job is to make reform a viable real-world option. Only then will we be in a position to hold presidential feet to the fire.
Friends of Justice 
Well said. It’s a form a laziness isn’t it? To rely on our politicians to solve our problems. MLK and Huey Newton never asked these questions did they? They just took it to the people and drove their point home. I’m not trying to point fingers–I’m even admitting my own passivity–we just have to stop thinking that sitting on a couch watching CNN and FoxNews is a form of action on social issues.
and together find the common ground. I feel with one such as Barak Obama as president we at least have someone with intelligence and compassion to listen and understand, recognizing change often comes by taking the first small step and continuing in the face of all obstacles.