Jan 22 2009
Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama
Much has been said in the aftermath of Obama’s election and inauguration about the state of America’s racial politics. African Americans, particularly of older generations, never thought they would live to see the day the US elected a black president. But what does Obama’s election mean about race-relations in the US? We spend the rest of the hour hearing from anti racist writer, activist, and educator, Tim Wise author of several books including White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and Speaking Treason Fluently: Anti-racist Reflections From an Angry White Male. His forthcoming book is called Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama. Actor and activist Danny Glover has said that Wise’ book “provides an insightful and much needed lens through which we can begin to navigate this current stage in our ongoing quest for a more inclusive definition of who we are as a nation.” Tim Wise recently addressed an audience at All Saints Church in Pasadena, California. Special thanks to Global Voices for Justice for making this recording available.
GUEST:Tim Wise, anti-racist writer and educator whose latest book is “Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama
For more information visit http://www.timwise.org/
6 Responses to “Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama”
I would love to have a transcript of this!
If Obama cared about the weakest in society, we’d be seeing an executive order commuting every death sentence in the U.S. Yeah–Obama’s like Lincoln! Wouldn’t want doing the right thing to spoil our ambitions for the next election. I think MLK had other plans.
Surely Mr. Wise is another self-hating, radical, leftist, Kool-Aid guzzling Jew.
Why offend ALL “white people” as you pontificate about “white supremacy”?
White people are not ALL rich, wealthy and guilty if just one of us is left behind. I am one of those folks left behind, and I am offended to be branded by this arse-hole’s racist blather! Go to hell!
I would also love a transcript of this.
mike, wise makes clear to point out that not all white people; although he is sure to remind you that all people have been trained to be racist, and, i would add, that the benefits to racism might come in ways too subtle for you ostensibly to appreciate.
your animated rejection is code for the general feeling that people are responsible for their own mistakes, and thus i would urge you to analyze your own “behind.” still, if you are looking expressly, longingly, for where-you-enter, you are exhibit-a: white-denial.
the jews gave us liberation theology, thank god.
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