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Originally Posted by daisym
I'd seriously doubt its literal. I would interpret it as symbolic - especially since he is coming from a religious perspective.
It would most likjely be related to pride, indentity etc.
I can see that would piss off a few whites, but oftentimes one of the ways a disadvantaged/downtrodden/dsenfranchised group can maintain a sense of pride in themselves is by reaching back to their symbolic roots.
I'd seriously doubt he hates America - although like many churchmen in mainstream churches he may be very critical of the 'dog eat dog' ideology of the nation.
And refusing to be blinded by patriotism is hardly a bad thing.
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Well, as much as blacks are still disadvantaged in some important ways, and the African identification is somehow tied in with overcoming these disadvantages, non-blacks are probably wondering what it means for them, and rightly so, given that we live in a hierarchical society.
I thought Obama made a good start of explaining this in his speech, but I would say he has much further to go if he is to get the support of non-ultra liberal whites.
This opportunity to explain this issue may be even more important than whether or not he gets elected president. I hope he goes further and doesn't take the position that he's addressed it and it's time to move on. Our racial divide is a deep seated problem that needs to be addressed in depth if it's to be overcome.