President Obama has, according to the CIA, received 400 percent more death threats than former President George W. Bush. This is only a surprise for those who don't know that America is still a racist country. When it comes to the threatening climate around the president, there are some thoughts that come to mind:

1) Are these threats due primarily to race or because people on the right simply dislike Obama's politics? It is difficult to believe that the tremendous lack of respect shown by Sen. Joe Wilson (the man who yelled, "you lie!" at the president during his speech) was not due at least in part to race. Wilson has been a member of an organization that links itself to those who have a fond regard for slavery (Sons of Confederate Veterans), and even if he is not racist himself, there is no question that racists stand with him against the president. There are some who are simply disappointed with Obama or hate all liberals, though. How do we know the difference between the two? That's what makes this problem so difficult.

2) Are those on the left turning against the president? The recent video making fun of President Obama on 'Saturday Night Live' could be a turning point in Obama's popularity with liberals. It seems that we are reaching the point where straddling the fence and reaching across the isle is making Obama look weak and ineffective. When your allies start making fun of you, that means you're in trouble.

3) What does this environment say about our country? What needs to be done in order for us to truly fulfill the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Have we really been doing the work or are we fooled into thinking that a couple of decades of superficial effort can remove the effects of the past 400 years? I argue that for us to really figure this thing out, we've got to do something innovative. President Obama can help with this challenge by supporting a national conversation on race. America really needs to talk about this.

The video is below if you'd like to watch. Enjoy!



Dr. Boyce Watkins is a professor at Syracuse University, a leading black speaker and author of the forthcoming book 'Black American Money.' To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.