Dichotomy of Barack Obama and the Black Community

Brut America

African Americans expected a lot of President Obama. The jury is split on whether he delivered — what’s not in question is his ability to tackle the subject of race when needed.

Transcript

00:00There is not a black America, and a white America, and Latino America, and Asian America.

00:07There's the United States of America.

00:31I am Trayvon! I am Trayvon!

00:37When Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son.

00:43Another way of saying that is, Trayvon Martin could have been me.

00:47When you think about why, in the African American community at least, there's a lot of pain.

00:53The African American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences.

00:59And a history that doesn't go away.

01:08And one afternoon, 50 years ago, so much of our turbulent history,

01:13the stain of slavery and anguish of civil war,

01:17the yoke of segregation and tyranny of Jim Crow, met on this bridge.

01:21We just need to open our eyes and our ears and our hearts

01:25to know that this nation's racial history still casts its long shadow upon us.

01:33The fact is, in too many parts of this country,

01:36a deep distrust exists between law enforcement and communities of color.

01:40Some of this is the result of the legacy of racial discrimination in this country.

01:45And this is tragic because nobody needs good policing more than poor communities with higher crime rates.

01:52We need to recognize that this is not just an issue for Ferguson, this is an issue for America.

02:01This is not the first time that black churches have been attacked.

02:04This is a place of worship that was founded by African Americans seeking liberty.

02:10This is a church that was burned to the ground because its worshipers worked to end slavery.

02:18The good news is I am confident that the outpouring of unity and strength and fellowship and love across Charleston today,

02:26from all races, from all faiths, indicates the degree to which those old vestiges of hatred can be overcome.

02:38That certainly was Dr. King's hope just over 50 years ago.

02:42Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.

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