Obama Says Blacks Must Take Responsibility

In Speech To NAACP, Democratic Hopeful Defends His Tough Rhetoric, Urges Black Parents To Set Example

(CBS/ AP)  Democrat Barack Obama received a prideful welcome from the annual NAACP convention Monday night, but in a stirring speech to the nation's oldest civil rights organization, he nonetheless insisted blacks must show greater responsibility for improving their own lives.

The man who could become the first black president urged Washington to provide more education and economic assistance. He called on corporate America to exercise greater social responsibility. But he also received his most lusty applause as he urged blacks to demand more of themselves.

"If we're serious about reclaiming that dream, we have to do more in our own lives. There's nothing wrong with saying that," Obama told a crowd estimated at 3,000. "But with providing the guidance our children need, turning off the TV set and putting away the video games; attending those parent-teacher conferences, helping our children with their homework, setting a good example. That's what everybody's got to do."

CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic reports that Obama made a veiled reference to Rev. Jesse Jackson, who was recently caught by a microphone criticizing Obama saying he was "talking down to black people."

He said: "I know some say I've been too tough on folks talking about responsibility. NAACP, I'm here to report, I'm not going to stop talking about it. Because as much I'm out there to fight to make sure that government's doing its job and the marketplace is doing its job, ... none of it will make a difference - at least not enough of a difference - if we also don't at the same time seize more responsibility in our own lives."

Amid building cheers, Obama declared: "When we are taking care of our own stuff, then a lot of other folks are going to be interested in joining up and working with us and taking care of America's stuff. We can lead by example, as we did in the civil rights movement. Because the problems that plague our community are not unique to us. We just have them a little worse, but they're not unique to us."

Obama, who grew up without his father, has spoken and written at length about issues of parental responsibility and fathers participating in their children's lives. Yet a similar speech by the Illinois senator on Father's Day prompted an awkward rebuke from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a Democratic presidential contender in 1984 and 1988, a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a fellow Chicago political activist.

Jackson apologized last week after being caught saying on an open microphone that he wanted to castrate Obama for speaking down to blacks.

Republican candidate John McCain is scheduled to address the NAACP's 99th meeting on Wednesday. President Bush was criticized for not speaking at the convention until 2006 - his fifth year in office.

Obama spokeswoman Linda Douglass denied the candidate was trying to boost support among white voters with his own "Sister Souljah" moment. Addressing a black audience in 1992, Democrat presidential candidate Bill Clinton accused the hip-hop artist of inciting violence against whites. Some black leaders, including Jackson, criticized Clinton, but it helped reinforce his image as a politician who refused to pander.

"It's not just a speech aimed at black audiences. It's aimed at all parents," Douglass said. Noting Obama also called for more corporate and government responsibility, she added: "This is a larger theme of responsibility."

While Jackson complained about such Obama speechmaking, other civil rights activists from the NAACP disagreed. They think Obama is doing a good job balancing his role as a black candidate with the need to speak to all races.

"He can't be totally focused on the black community," said Kelvin Shaw, of Shreveport, La. Shaw said he is most interested in what Obama plans on nationwide economic issues like rising oil prices, household costs and jobs. "We need to be talking about not one race, but what affects all people."

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, the city's first directly elected black mayor, disputed Jackson's argument that Obama is ignoring other important issues for blacks such as unemployment, mortgage foreclosures and the number of blacks in prison.

"I think he absolutely has," Mallory said. Besides his messages about responsibility, Mallory said Obama has talked about jobs, health care, education and other "areas where black people are disproportionately affected."

Civil rights veteran Julian Bond, the NACCP board chairman, drew loud applause in a speech Sunday night when he described Obama's candidacy as a milestone.

"The country seems proud, and I know all of us here are, that a candidate campaigning in cities where he could not have stayed in a hotel 40 years ago has won his party's nomination for the nation's highest office," Bond said.

[johnmcsame]

Rasmussen reports that eighty-three percent (83%)of American voters place a higher priority on encouraging immigrants to speak English as their primary language.

Voters overwhelmingly reject Obama''s call for bilingualism. We can all expect another Obama flip-flop on this issue.

[patriot12436]

stratmaster
More to the point, ask yourself why i moved from the non racist point to the racist point ? There had to be a reason. I think it was a combination of experiences. After 50 years of trying to give equality i don''t see it working.

[patriot12436]

tibu987
In my opinion 99% were black for more than one reason. Lousiana is a heavy black population probably 60 to 70 %, lack of education, lack of proper upbringing, lack of motivation, and yes i even allow for the racial treatment that their ancestors received and discriminatioin after slavery. I am now wondering if it is possibly something in their DNA as well. I do not know all the answers, i just form my opinions on my experiences. I have fially concluded no matter what we do there willalso be a racial barrier until there is a race war.

[patriot12436]

strat
I just call it as i see it, same as you do, we all have opinions. Have a good evening.

[fleura-2009]

Now McCain is geering up to Mitt Romney for the VP spot...finally we shall have someone of some intellect capability this season to debate against.

Fellow Republicans should make a point of listening to Fleura when it comes to politics.

[fleura-2009]

Face it we all know and can relate to someone of Muslim or Christian or Jewish faith.

How idiotic to make nonsense statements about any of the religions and expect that you vote should count.

Get back to your confession booths...oups that would be Catholic..lol

[fleura-2009]

There is nothing wrong with being Muslim. It is no different than being Jewish or Christian. Anyone stupid enough to think that religion is the determining factor this season, NEEDS TO STAY FAR AWAY FROM THE POLLS.

I am Fleura and I approve this message!

[fleura-2009]

Barack Obama Rules!!

He is our Modern Day Politician and speaks to all platforms! No one else brings everyone to the debate table as Barack Obama.

Let''s all just face it, he is the voice of all Americans including you and you too, Rowdy!!!

Obama 2008!

[johnmcsame]

johnlameshame is obssessed with muslims because his daughter is married to a muslim boy ...and john is p-issed off of the fact that his grand childrens are going to muslims...and he is dying inside every day...

Posted by pointbreak14 at 09:32 PM : Jul 15, 2008

pointbreak14, thanks for making my point. As a muslim yourself you should know. If my daughter married a muslim man, her children would be muslims. There is no two ways about it. I noticed the thought that they could be brought us as Christians or Atheist did not occur to you because the whole world knows that the children of a muslim man automatically become muslims.

It was a slip of the tongue but you proofed by point that Obama was born a muslim. Most of the liberals who post on this blog are ignorant about this. They probably don''''t know any muslims.

[tibu987]

Obama: "blacks should take responsibility".

Easy to say.

The solution is education.

[tibu987]

patriot 12436
"unfortunately 99% of them were black"....

and why do you think that is?

[Stratmaster7]

give up on Patriot. te more you push, the more he/she shows his/her racist agenda.

[patriot12436]

I have to leave for an appouintment at the embassy now. I will continue when i return. You see i am your worst nightmare, i am th white who isn''t afraid of you because your black.

[patriot12436]

I never looked for criminals per se except to arrest them in my job. I didn''t choose a suspect by race, unfortunately 99% were black.

[patriot12436]

lalabradle
Now comes the insults. That always happens when someone doesn''t have anything to back up their argument, does not have the intelligence or education to respond in a civil manner, or both. I am moving back to the U.S. in September so as to be home for the elections. I will continue my travels as time permits. Unlike you i have no iterest in committing crimes. I do believe now though that it has to be in the genetic makeup. Once race couldn''t be that screwed up unless it was.

[lalabradle]

Oh patriot,

I am sorry. You have to look for white criminals under pedophile, child molestors, serial killers and oh yeah, shooting up schoolmates. 99% That makes them so much better.

[lalabradle]

The truth is, you don''t want to hear the truth about blacks. It feels better for you guys to continue the stereotypical nature of your closed minds. If you pretend that black people don''t want anything, you don''t have to deal with providing them with it.

[lalabradle]

patriot
I''m sure you probably left because your little money could go a long way in another country. I see you as an educated weasel, probably molesting little boys and girls in the Asian countries where it''s okay.

[patriot12436]

lalabradle
You say other countries don''t have he racila problems. I have a friend who lives in Australia. He says the aboriginees make up 3% of the population yet are responsible for a majority of the crime and social problems there. Now remember the aboriginees are the ones who were in Australia first. Do these statistics sound familiar.

[patriot12436]

lalabradle
I remember i am in a foreign culture and have learned how to show respect for th culture. The only crimes i saw by whites here was the canadian school teacher who was molestig children, and the Thai police are the ones who caught him.