The Early Story of President Barack Obama

Early life

Obama's father, also named Barack Hussein Obama, grew up in a small village in Nyanza Province, Kenya, as a member of the Luo ethnicity. He won a scholarship to study economics at the University of Hawaii, where he met and married Ann Dunham, a white woman from Wichita, Kansas, whose father had worked on oil rigs during the Great Depression and fought with the U.S. Army in World War II before moving his family to Hawaii in 1959. Barack and Ann's son, Barack Hussein Obama Jr., was born in Honolulu on August 4, 1961.

Obama's parents later separated, and Barack Sr. went back to Kenya; he would see his son only once more before dying in a car accident in 1982. After remarrying an Indonesian man, Lolo Soetoro, Ann moved with her young son to Jakarta in the late 1960s, where she worked at the U.S. embassy. In 1970, Obama returned to Hawaii to live with his maternal grandparents. He attended the Punahou School, an elite private school where, as he wrote in his 1995 memoir, Dreams from My Father, he first began to understand the tensions inherent in his mixed racial background. After two years at Occidental College in Los Angeles, he transferred to Columbia University in New York City, from which he graduated in 1983 with a degree in political science.

Pre-Election Career

After a two-year stint working in corporate research and at the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) in New York City, Obama moved to Chicago, where he took a job as a community organizer with a church-based group, the Developing Communities Project. For the next several years, he worked with low-income residents in Chicago's Roseland community and the Altgeld Gardens public housing development on the city's largely black South Side. Obama would later call the experience "the best education I ever got, better than anything I got at Harvard Law School," the prestigious institution he entered in 1988.

In 1990, Obama became the first African American to be elected president of the Harvard Law Review in the 104 years of its history. He graduated from Harvard magna cum laude in 1991 and joined the Chicago law firm of Miner, Barnhill & Galland as a civil rights lawyer. He also taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago law school. In 1992, Obama married Michelle Robinson, whom he had met while working as a summer associate at another Chicago law firm during law school. That same year, he led a drive that registered nearly 150,000 black voters for the 1992 presidential campaign, won by Bill Clinton.

In 1996, Obama officially launched his own political career, winning election to the Illinois State Senate as a Democrat from the South Side neighborhood of Hyde Park. Despite tight Republican control during his years in the state senate, Obama was able to build support among both Democrats and Republicans in drafting legislation on ethics and health care reform. He helped create a state earned-income tax credit that benefited the working poor, promoted subsidies for early childhood education programs and worked with law enforcement officials to require the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases.

Re-elected in 1998 and again in 2002, Obama also ran unsuccessfully in the 2000 Democratic primary for the U. S. House of Representatives seat held by the popular four-term incumbent Bobby Rush. As a state senator, Obama notably went on record as an early opponent of President George W. Bush's push to war with Iraq. During a rally at Chicago's Federal Plaza in October 2002, he spoke against a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq: "I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars...I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a U. S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences."

When Republican Peter Fitzgerald announced that he would vacate his U.S. Senate seat in 2004 after only one term, Obama decided to run. He won 52 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, defeating both multimillionaire businessman Blair Hull and Illinois Comptroller Daniel Hynes. After his original Republican opponent in the general election, Jack Ryan, withdrew from the race, the former presidential candidate Alan Keyes stepped in. That July, Obama gave the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, shooting to national prominence with his eloquent call for unity among "red" (Republican) and "blue" (Democratic) states.

In November 2004, Illinois delivered 70 percent of its votes to Obama (versus Keyes' 27 percent), sending him to Washington as only the third African American elected to the U.S. Senate since Reconstruction. During his tenure, Obama notably focused on issues of nuclear non-proliferation and the health threat posed by avian flu. With Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, he created a Web site that tracks all federal spending, aimed at rebuilding citizens' trust in government. He partnered with another Republican, Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, on a bill that expanded efforts to destroy weapons of mass destruction in Eastern Europe and Russia. In August 2006, Obama traveled to Kenya, where thousands of people lined the streets to welcome him. He published his second book, The Audacity of Hope, in October 2006.

2008 Presidential Campaign

On February 10, 2007, Obama formally announced his candidacy for president of the United States. A victory in the Iowa primary made him a viable challenger to the early frontrunner, the former first lady and current New York Senator Hillary Clinton, whom he outlasted in a grueling primary campaign to claim the Democratic nomination in early June 2008. Obama chose as his running mate Joseph R. Biden Jr. Biden had been a U.S. senator from Delaware since 1972, was a one-time Democratic candidate for president and served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Obama's opponent was long-time Arizona Senator John S. McCain, a Vietnam veteran and former prisoner-of-war, who chose Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. If elected, Palin would have been the nation's first-ever female vice-president.

As in the primaries, Obama's campaign worked to build support at the grassroots level and used what supporters saw as the candidate's natural charisma, unusual life story and inspiring message of hope and change to draw impressive crowds to Obama's public appearances, both in the U.S. and on a campaign trip abroad. They worked to bring new voters--many of them young or black, both demographics they believed favored Obama--to become involved in the election.

A crushing financial crisis in the months leading up to the election shifted the nation's focus to economic issues, and both Obama and McCain worked to show they had the best plan for economic improvement. With several weeks remaining, most polls showed Obama as the frontrunner. Sadly, Obama's maternal grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, died after a battle with cancer on November 3, the day before voters went to the polls. She had been a tremendously influential force in her grandson's life and had diligently followed his historic run for office from her home in Honolulu.

On November 4, lines at polling stations around the nation heralded a historic turnout and resulted in a Democratic victory, with Obama capturing some Republican strongholds (Virginia, Indiana) and key battleground states (Florida, Ohio) that had been won by Republicans in recent elections. Taking the stage in Chicago's Grant Park with Michelle and their two young daughters, Malia and Sasha, Obama acknowledged the historic nature of his win while reflecting on the serious challenges that lay ahead. "The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there."

Obama's inauguration took place on January 20, 2009.

Burglars, Beaters, and Burners 1992

Burglars, Beaters, and Burners 1992

Roger Brown

American (1941-1997), oil on Canvas

     I would place Burglars, Beaters, and Burners (BBB92) in an exhibit chronologically chronicling the African-American experience. BBB92 is a visual representation of the tumultuous 1992 Los Angeles race riots. The 1992 Los Angeles riots were triggered four white Los Angeles police officers were acquitted after being seen on videotape beating a black man (Rodney King). While this painting is aesthetic—the dark shadow, the all black human representations, and the blazing fire on the rooftop, the sheer simplicity of the painting—this art is symbolic of a very fragile time-period in American race relations. The plight of the African-American began with slavery in the 17^th century, the Jim Crow Era in the late 19^th century—which was triggered by the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th Amendments—culminating with the Civil Rights Movement, resulting in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. BBB92 is symbolic of deterioration of race relations, and the African-American community realizing that some White Americans still viewed them as inferior—as hominids, as opposed to the advanced human species.

Africanamericanhistorymonth.gov wesite review

The African American History Month website provides a cornucopia of information and sources pertaining to African American history. Moreover, these sources can be utilized for pedagogical and scholastic endeavors. The legitimacy of these sources is manifested through a variety of materials, including; exhibits & collections, images, audio, video, and primary source documents. This site—and its sources—are further substantiated by its impressive list of sponsors, with The Library of Congress and the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration at the apex.  This website is the culmination of these sources—which is given their own separate links—in addition to some other cultured and academic constituents.

The composite of various sources is the most pivotal component of this website. However, the inescapable “about” section is impressive in its own right. For those unfamiliar with the origins of Black History Month, the “about” section of this website provides an intermediate background on the development Black History Month; evolving from Negro History Week in 1925, birthed by Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, into its modern day prominence. However, the eloquence of this section is inevitable, being that it is an excerpt from an essay written by Howard University Professor, and Stanford Ph.D. Daryl Michael Scott.

The “exhibits & collections” link sorts nearly eighty items into eleven distinct collections; art & design, baseball, civil right, culture & folklife, government & politics, military, music & performing arts, religion, slavery, resource guides, and profiles. The content is merely a sample of material related to African American history available from the Library of Congress and partner agencies. Here, one can view digitalized primary source documents such as, The Emancipation Proclamation. One can also gain further insight on the collections and exhibits made accessible at the Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, and primarily the Library of Congress.

More digital images can also be found under the “images” link. Needless to say, they are all photos or paintings with some relation with African American history. This viewer can view the images in a slideshow format. However, I would recommend ordering the images in chronological order. This could improve the continuity and flow of the slideshow; while simultaneously making it more comprehensive.

The most practical and valuable feature—for academic purposes—on this website is unequivocally the link “for teachers.”  I would challenge anyone to find another website, which provides access to a wealth of primary sources and substantiated scholastic material about African American history. An educator, pundit, or student can garner primary source documents or background information on topics ranging from; Jackie Robinson to Birth of a Nation (Ku Klux Klan). The idiosyncrasy of this website is the availability of lesson plans in differing languages. The astounding element links teachers (or whomever else) to another website where he or she can download a “resource book” teaching about the United States in; Arabic, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

My only criticism—aside from the aforementioned recommendation—of the website is the arrangement and navigation. This is not applicable to the African American scholars, pundits, and those with a keen interest in African American history. However, the website structure would be too obtuse for a “common” civilian with a mild interest in African American history. Upon navigating into the links, I find the narrative (arrangement) too prolix. I presume that the majority of the websites’ audience is astute civilians, keenly interested in African American history; and that this issue may be exceedingly difficult to circumvent. However, the surfeit of information, links, and sources alike can be further condensed.

The African American History Month website will be undoubtedly valuable to educators and scholars with a concentration in African American history. However, the material will also be of interest to those civilians with subtle inquiries. This website not only contextualizes Black History Month, but expounds on the topics, providing a plethora of (primary) sources with the utilization of esteemed academic establishments.

The Great Emancipator?

     As a young African American schoolboy, I held President Abraham Lincoln in great reverence. How could I not? My grade school teachers lionized Lincoln as “The Great Emancipator,” and subsequently canonized him after his assassination.  However, as I advanced through my academic career, and further explored the origins of my race, I became disappointed. I uncovered the veil concealing this historical figure, from the veracity of his character.

     This is not an attempt to cast aspersions on Mr. Lincoln. Nevertheless, it is my duty to analyze him as subjectively as an educated African American can. The exploits of “The Great Emancipator” must be proper contextualized prior to awarding him with any merit.
President Lincoln defeated Stephen A. Douglas to win the 1860 Presidential election. Lincoln faced arguably the most difficult task of any President. The insurmountable task of keeping the nation unified. The issue of slavery had been dividing the nation for decades. However, the acquisition of western territories (from the Louisiana Purchase and the American-Mexican War) intensified the national debate.
     While it is true Lincoln did want to prevent slavery expansion into the western territories. It was not for the betterment of the slaves. Lincoln belonged to a Republican party, who wanted to prevent black migration in order to afford white men economic prosperity. Lincoln emphasized that he and the Republican Party wanted to protect whites in North and West (and those who desired to move to the western territories) from economic competition with free blacks: “Negro equality will be abundant, as every white laborer will have occasion to regret when he is elbowed from his plow or his anvil by slave niggers.”
     To properly contextualize the Emancipation Proclamation, one must contextualize the passing of a few legislations prior to the Emancipation Proclamation. The Civil War began in Fort Sumter, SC in 1861 (ironically South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union). At this point, Lincoln’s primary focus was to win the war and unify the “nation.”
     The Confederacy defeating the Union at the First Battle of Bull Run (the first major battle of the Civil War) galvanized the North. Rumors surfaced that some slaves of Confederate soldiers were accompanying them during battle. Slaves were not participants in armed combat; however, they were assisting their masters with menial tasks, contributing to a Confederate victory.  These contributions resulted in the Confiscation Act 1861. The Confiscation Act of 1861 emancipated all slaves who contributed to the Confederate war effort. Lincoln did not pass this legislation to cease the sadistic practice of slavery. It was a political ploy to discourage the South’s war efforts.
     One year later, Confiscation Act 1862 passed into legislation. The Confiscation Act in 1862 essentially declared all slaves of the Confederate soldiers free.  Lincoln himself wrote that this bill was “an act to suppress insurrection, to punish treason, and rebellion, to seize and confiscate the property of rebels, and for other purposes.” Lincoln clearly states that this bill’s primary purpose is to punish the disloyalty of the Confederates. Even more telling, he refers to blacks as “property.”
In 1863, the infamous Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. This legislation freed the slaves in the Confederacy. However, slavery still existed in the Border States that remained loyal to the union (MD, DL, MO, and KY). If “The Great Emancipator” was a man of high virtue and a true egalitarian, why not emancipate all slaves immediately? Why were there three separate legislations, incrementally and conditionally manumitting slaves prior to the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865? Why would a man who stated that he was “in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race” manumit the poor, colored folk?
     As a pundit in African American history, I am obliged to investigate as deep as the abyss. I cannot allow a man to remain in African American lore as “The Great Emancipator.” He is more Ku Klux Klan than NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). Yes, I do acknowledge the emancipation legislations passed under his presidential terms; however, I do so with a thorough comprehension of what and who I am acknowledging. I acknowledge a man who by political and de facto regulations “freed” the slaves. I also acknowledge a man whose views on blacks were impeccably aligned with 19^th century white supremacists.