"I see we have amen corner over there," chuckled President Barack Obama as he paused to acknowledge the audience's encouragement during his speech at the NAACP's Spingarn Awards dinner.
The comment was dead on, causing those who gathered to laugh in response.
Obama's remarks were a clear example of his ability to connect with people of all hues and political persuasions -- and to be totally authentic while doing it.
Last night was a good ol' fashioned sermon. Not quite fire and brimstone, but the president took the assemblage to church nonetheless. He relished in the call and response typical of black audiences, often smiling knowingly as calls of "well" and "make it plain" punctuated his pronouncements. ...
NAACP Convention
US President Barack Obama speaks during the NAACP 100th Anniversary convention in New York, July 16, 2009. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) 100th anniversary convention in New York City July 16, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES POLITICS)
REUTERS
Sean Combs, or P. Diddy, attends the NAACP 100th Anniversary convention prior to US President Barack Obama's speech in New York, July 16, 2009. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama waves after addreessing the NAACP 100th Anniversary convention in New York, July 16, 2009. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) 100th anniversary convention in New York City July 16, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY)
REUTERS
President Barack Obama speaks during the 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP, Thursday, July 16, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
AP
President Barack Obama speaks during the 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP, Thursday, July 16, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
AP
President Barack Obama speaks during the 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP, Thursday, July 16, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
AP
President Barack Obama speaks during the 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP, Thursday, July 16, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
AP
U.S. President Barack Obama embraces National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Chairman Julian Bond (L) as he arrives to speak at the NAACP's 100th anniversary convention in New York City July 16, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES POLITICS)
REUTERS
''We can't outsource our responsibility as parents," Obama said.
"Well!" the audience replied.
"We have to participate in our children's education."
"Participate!"
The give and take never waned as Obama inspired, chastened, challenged, thanked and ignited a multihued but mainly black audience at the NAACP's centennial celebration in New York City.
The president could hardly do wrong on this evening, not that he is prone to gaffes (Sarkozy should take notice). But this partisan audience was as ready to receive the fruits of their labor as any proud parent. Obama's accomplishments undoubtedly validate the existence and struggle of the NAACP and other black-focused organizations and enterprises.
Earlier in the day, he hosted a group of black journalists, including Derek Dingle, editor-in-chief of Black Enterprise, on Air Force One for the trip from Washington, D.C., to New York City. It was the absolute right gesture, symbolic or otherwise, on such an auspicious day. Just another example of the keen instincts and insight of the president and his team.
Obama is a shape shifter in the best sense. He is a part of all of us and can, at turns, evoke John F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King Jr. with authenticity. Last night, he was the good reverend doctor without ever seeming forced or contrived. His audience ate it up, emerging energized, validated and nourished. The road ahead for this nation is uncertain, and the president will be continually challenged by the enormity and complexity of the problems we face. Yet when you hear him speak, it's easy to imagine that the light at the end of the tunnel is more likely a ray of sunshine than a locomotive ... well!
Comments: (12)
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By: ADMR on 7/17/2009 9:36PM
This Headline is APPALING - REV.DR.??? - KING EARNED These titles AND is turning Over in his Grave.
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By: All Winners LOVE Winners on 7/17/2009 10:06PM
SEE U Posted at 4:21 - Wink AND Eternal BLESSINGS.
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By: Jazz on 7/18/2009 12:54AM
OK SO SOMEONE WAS HAVING A LITTLE FUN CALLING HIM REV. DR.....SO WHAT!!!!...WHO CARES!!!!
POINT IS.....
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES SIR!!!! MR PRESIDENT!!!!!
YOU ARE RIGHT ON POINT!!!!!!
I'M SICK AND TIRED OF BLACK FOLK BLAMING
EVERYBODY ELSE BUT OURSELVES!!!!!!!!
IF I AM SOMEBODY..(a 54 yr old black woman)..CAN BE WHO I AM DESPITE BEING POOR....DESPITE THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND DESPITE RACISM...SO CAN THE REST OF YOU....
PARENTS!!!!!.....RAISE YOUR MOFO KIDS!!!!!!!
PULL YOUR CHILDREN'S PANTS UP!!!!...(you should get a summons for this)..."indecent exposure"...I'M SICK AND TIRED OF SEEING DRAWZ AND BUTTCRACK!!!!!
TEACH THEM ENGLISH...GIVE THEM A BOOK INSTEAD OF ANOTHER GAME FOR THEIR XBOX....BEAT THEIR BUTTS....GET THOSE GRADES UP....TURN THAT MOFO TV OFF FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR....AND BEAT THAT BEHIND SOME MORE......(i can go on and on).....
BE PARENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND I LIKE THE WAY MY PRESIDENT DID IT .....HE SPOKE DIRECTLY TO US....UNLIKE BILL COSBY WHO WENT ON TALK SHOW AFTER TALK SHOW TALKING TO WHITE HOSTS...
AND THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE FED UP WITH HIM AFTER A FEW MONTHS....THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE ON BOARD SINCE HE ANNOUNCED HIS PRESIDENCY.....
THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE THERE AT THE BEGINNING.....THOSE OF YOU WHO VOTED FOR HIM.....AND NOW EITHER COMPLAINING ABOUT HIM....COMPLAINING HE'S NOT DOING ENOUGH....COMPLAINING ABOUT THE STIMULUS....COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS OR THAT.....
THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE JUMPING SHIP...........WELL GO RIGHT AHEAD AND JUMP!!!!!!...STFU AND JUMP!!!!
DROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HIS PLATE IS FULL....HE HAS A MESS ON HIS HAND!!!!
I ELECT TO GIVE HIM A CHANCE!!!..A 4 YEAR CHANCE!!!
PRESIDENT BARACK H. OBAMA....COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF......HAS RAISED THE BAR....NOW "WHATCHU" GONNA DO?????!!!!!!!!
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By: Black Moses on 7/19/2009 6:32PM
Yea he raised to bar of butt-dancing by Blacks for jews and other races. Blacks have long produced excellence. Where have you been? There's nothing special about Booker T. Obama. Too many Blacks admire articulate individuals and not builders. An articulate Blacks man that doesn't build is weaker than a popcorn fart. The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad is the best friend the Black man has ever had in america (I am not a muslim, islam is arab supremacy like christianity is white supremacy), and the Honorable Louis Farrakhan is an excellent example of a true Black man. Black nationalismn is and has always been the answers but these Black anglophiles have a soft spot in their heart's for whites and others.
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By: Black Moses on 7/19/2009 8:23PM
Jazz hate to give you the blues about Booker T. Obama. The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Louis Farrakhan are builders and if Booker T. Obama was such I would praise him. Blacks have too much jesus as it is, christanity reminds me of slavery. A popcorn fart is weak, got it now? Wish I had some crayons to make it more lucid. Yea, butt-dancing. Did you see Booker T. Obama with that yarnmukle on when he visited israel, or whenever he speaks before AIPAC? Black butt-dancing in its highest form. Dealt with Bush for eight years for sure I can deal with this puppet. Why should I leave what my ancestors build? Sound just like a Black anglophile. Don't post if you don't want people to respond. Lay off that Booker T. Obama kool-aid.
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By: kcn9971 on 7/18/2009 4:47PM
I have followed Obama as he has traveled all over the world, and I'm puzzled.... I can't understand how this man can heap praise on Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, the Muslim World, and the Russians. but chooses to chastise, belittle,and scorn Black America? Are we below the level of Communists, Dictators, and Terrorists? We already know Mr. Obama, your loyalty to the illegal aliens and gay radicals garnish more attention than a bunch of dope smokin', socially inept, incorrigible Blacks. Do we not deserve the respect of a orchestated telepromter speech; or are Blacks so dumb a telepromter would be a waste of time because all you need to tell them is the same ol' "pie in the sky"..."we shall overcome"..."get your act together".. redderick. But what's worse, is the number of Blacks who applauded your speech faling to realize you were not offering them solutions, ideas, or leadership; Only a pointing finger. Did you point a finger at the Saudi King for enslaving their women? Did you lecture Castro about his behavior twards his own people? Are the people living under Chavez not trying hard enough? You uplift everyone except your own people...And you, sir, is what's wrong with Black America!!!
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By: Barbara on 7/18/2009 6:46PM
OBAMA is doing what he's told to do. I'm sick of him. He's doing just like the rest of the previous crooks, vacationing and living well off the tax payers dime.
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By: Black Moses on 7/19/2009 12:03PM
Booker T. Obama is not one of us Black people. There's nothing new about what he is saying; the Black nationalist have been doing what he is talking about since Martin R. Delany. Blacks have and are doing great things. He should continue to lecture his blue-eyed cousin about this broke ass country. This butt-dancing, jewish-lackey can't hold the underwear of proven men like the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Rev. Jeremiah wRIGHT. I didn't vote for him because the handwriting was on the wall when he threw the Hon. Farrakhan and Rev. wRIGHT under the bus. The mulatto has always been untrustworthy. Now that the mulatto has critical mass they are going to show Blacks how they really feel about us. The jews and mulattoes have had a special relationship since the days of the ultimate mulatto Dubois and Joel Spingarn (charter members of the NAACP). The new president of the NAACP is mulatto. I know that Black Power is dead because Blacks have an insatiable appetite for and proudly promotes the mulattoes, but that doesn't mean Blacks shouldn't continue to work as the Honorable Marcus Garvey instructed us to do. Stating is not hating!
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By: Jazz on 7/19/2009 6:59PM
lazy azz black people that don't want to do better..that's all you are...you and the rest of these dumbazz iliterate racist black people!!!!!
butt-dancing?????...
and what the hell is a popcorn fart?
are you articulate? are you a builder?
i bet you're not!!!!!
farakahn and mohammad "aint" did a damn thing for me and they're not my friends!!!!...my Friend is Jesus!!!!!
and Barack H. Obama is my Black American President!!!!!
if you don't like it or him... go to another country.....leave!!!!!!
because he's going to be around for the next 4 years...so get over it!!!!!
***rollin my damn eyes!!!!...sick of mofos complaining about my president*******
NOW DON'T EMAIL ME ANYMORE!!!!!!
YOU HAVE YOUR OPINION AND I HAVE MINE!!!!!!
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By: Black Moses on 7/19/2009 12:04PM
love obama
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