Obama vs Clinton? - The Los Angeles Sentinel

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Feb 09, 2010 at 04:53 AM

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Talk To Danny

Obama vs Clinton?

Written by Danny Bakewell Jr., (President & Executive Editor), on 01-31-2008 00:00

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Obama versus Clinton, this is a question that I as well as many other African Americans have been plagued with for the past few months. While I do not embrace the concept that Bill Clinton is the first African American President I certainly do believe that he is the first president who actually cared what and how African Americans felt as it related to his administration and our agenda.

I also believe that President Clinton actually felt more comfortable around African Americans.

That being said, Barak Obama doesn’t just ‘feel comfortable around us,’ he is one of us. He is the real deal. He understands the plight of African Americans and in particular African American males. I often say that no matter what success or financial advantage you have achieved every Black male knows the same sick, gut wrenching feeling, which comes when the police pull up behind you and flash those bright lights. It does not matter if you are a millionaire or a common everyday teenager from the hood. We all understand and feel like we are victims.

No person other than a Black man can truly understand what I am talking about. I equate it to women trying to explain childbirth (you may sympathize with my pain, but you will never actually feel it).

Well, Senator Obama has been there. He understands our pain. People can question if he is Black enough (which is truly an insult) or they may not feel he has enough experience (which is also an insult) but at the end of the day, we need Senator Obama as much as he needs us. We need him to reinforce our belief that anything is possible, that we can overcome and that a man can actually be judged by the content of his character not just by the color of his skin.

My good friend Reggie Jones Sawyer has a sign at the entryway of his house that says “No Negroes, No Mexicans, No Dogs.” This is a reminder to him, to me and to anyone else who comes into his house that no matter how far we have come, we still have ways to go.

Voting for and electing Senator Obama is for me a reminder of how far we have come, and a confirmation that we really can get to where we are and want America to go.

Whether Obama gets to the White House or not is yet to be determined, but what I do know is if he does not get there it wont be because of me, I believed the dream, I saw the potential and I voted to make history TODAY rather than wait until later.

So, whether you agree or disagree, now more than ever I really need your input. I need to hear from you. I need to know what is going on in our community. I also need to know what other stories we need to tell, and what is on your mind. I really do want to hear from you, I want you to “Talk to Danny.”
VOTE FOR BARAK OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!

Sincerely,
Danny J. Bakewell, Jr.
President & Executive Editor

Last update: 01-31-2008 00:00

Published in : Executive Editor Blog, Talk To Danny

Users' Comments (8)

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Posted by Paul Denby, on 01-31-2008 15:25,

Mr. Bakewell,

Your insights are remarkable. I'm convinced that the Senator has already accomplished a monumental feat in that, he has brought about a spirit in this country that I personally have not felt since; Joe Louis (the brown bomber) was a symbol of all that was right with America.....The MLK era, (the bus boycotts etc.) The Kennedy era and the Muhammad Ali brawls which found me and many others huddled around a radio or TV, filled with pride and anticipation.

How Blessed we ALL are to have so many GREAT and GODLY people bursting forth to benefit the entire world.

Paul Denby
DenbyMinistriesInc.com

Posted by barackalltheway, on 02-02-2008 16:01,

The African American Community needs to vote for Barack. I'm sure there would'nt be an Asian or Hispanic individual on the planet that would consider voting for someone other than the individual that looks like them if the opportunity presented itself! This IS a popularity contest. And to the Blacks that want to vote for Hillary - dance your jig until the curtain is drawn! Then keep it real and do what you REALLY know is in your heart.

Posted by Jaclyn, on 02-02-2008 18:57,

I am an African American women who owns a home. Will I still own it in a year? Mr. Obama supports a health plan that does not include everyone; will I be one of those not included? As you know, California is a boarder state. What's going on with the illegal allien situation? Applications now include your bilingual status. How does this affect my children's prospects for obtaining employment?

I am disappointed that Obama accepted Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Kerry's endorsements. Mr. Kennedy has been in office 40+ years and Mr. Kerry could not even defend his own war record during the las telection. Will these be the types of people Obama will have surrounding him in the White House. Yikes!

I'm looking for the best man or women to do the job. They don't have to look like me.

Posted by cUSHITE, on 02-02-2008 20:36,

I'm so proud of Mr. Obama and happy that he has received the endorsements by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Senator John Kerry and the countless others. He is on the right side of the fence in order to create progressive and positive change in this country.

Mr. Obama's health plan will include all Americans. Unlike the past seven years, he has the best interest in the average man, woman and child in the country. This past seven years nothing has improved the lives of anyone other than the oil companies, our imperialist corporate control government, and the Chinese government. I'm proud to be apart of this new direction this country is going in. Like always, we will just run over people...like "Jaclyn" to move our culture forward and this country forward. People hated on other people of African descent in the past such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus so it's not surprising.

An African American president! It's time for President Barak Obama!

Posted by JAMES v. lYLES, on 02-02-2008 20:36,

tHE HOPE IS THAT WE, THE DEMOCRATS, WILL HAVE ATICKET UNLIKE ANY TICKED WE HAVE EVER HAD-A BLACK AND A WOMAN. lETS CELEBRATE THAT. tHE DEMOCRATS WI DETERMINE WHO THE NOMINEE IS. tHE NOMINEE WILL DETERMINE WHO HIS OR HER RUNNING MATE WILL BE.

Posted by Efil Sih, on 02-02-2008 20:39,

I could not have said it half as well as you have said the truth Danny. Old Clif Jones , our friend still irregardless oif his resting , along with others in our generation ,would certainly have also agreed.Thank you again as always, for telling it like it really is.

Sincerely,

Efil Sih

Posted by Peris, on 02-02-2008 20:57,

I am without a doubt pro Barack - and have no problems admitting it's mainly because he's Black. It's interesting to hear the confidence other African Americans have in saying they plan to vote for the person that will "do the best job" - while in an environment that has traditionally slighted us; and at the hands of people that don't look like us!

No matter who wins, general policy won't change much. There will be business as usuall to the benefit of a few. I just appreciate knowing my odds of eating a crumb or two increase by having a leader who at least symbolizes the side of the fence I stand on. Let's face it: If all the candidates are looking out for their own self interests first (I seriously believe they are) then the only person I have a REAL chance with is Barack!

Posted by Martha, on 02-11-2008 14:08,

Danny can you tell me why all of the Black Congressmembers supported Clinton over Obama? Did they sell us out? Do they know that their districts voted in support of Obama? Well we know! Obviously they are not aware that they were elected to work for us not the other way around. Should we do a recall in their districts to send a message because they went against the will of their constituents? Can you find out how much they got paid to support the Clintons over Obama?

Finally, I think it sends the wrong message to their constituents that they will sell us out for the right price.

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