The Race for in the White House

Whatever one may think about Barack Obama's decision to address the nation on race in the United States, there is no disputing that such an action had to be done. Throughout the whole campaign, the issue of race was ever present, albeit not on center stage, until his pastor's Sunday Morning Rantings were replayed over and over again on the political talk shows, on television and radio.

Although Obama should have spent time on this sooner to try to quell those background whispers, it is possible that the speech would have been said as pure politicking had he done so while he was still playing second fiddle to Hillary Clinton.

We need an honest discussion about race and an honest discussion about policies directed by race (such as Affirmative Action). We must have this so that they no longer remain the domain of people like Al Sharpton, who only set back progress and keep people suspicious of others. The Obama speech likely will not lead to that honest discussion, since he did not fully confront the issues and problems to the extent that he could have. But if he's all about hope, then we have to hope that this discussion does take place.