Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and potential victory Nov. 4 represent a major shift in how the political system is going to reflect the U.S. populace, according to 51Թ professor Pete Banner-Haley.
Haley talks about the historic nature of the Illinois senator’s campaign in the latest of 51Թ Conversations, a of podcast interviews that highlights members of the 51Թ community.
Haley says he was struck by the way Obama has galvanized young people across the nation. He feels young voters, who often prove elusive come Election Day, will turn out for Obama and could provide the difference in his race against GOP Sen. John McCain.
While not all young people support Obama, he has offered a vision and a call for change that resonates with many, says Haley.
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| Professor Pete Banner-Haley says Sen. Barack Obama has galvanized young voters across the nation. |
He notes how most students he talks with don’t have an issue with Obama being black, and often get angry when race is mentioned as a reason not to vote for him.
But race may play a role on Election Day, especially among undecided voters who step into the voting booth and become uneasy about voting for the first black presidential candidate to win major party support.
“This is all new,” says Haley, “and it’s something that has never been done in American history.”
If elected to the highest office in the land, Haley says Obama would become a powerful symbol for all Americans of what is achievable and also would force major changes to what author Charles R. Johnson calls the “black American narrative.”
“What will be the black narrative now? Steeped in victimization, steeped in the consequences of slavery and the stigma of racism for so long, now we have before us a man who well could be the next president,” said Haley. “That narrative will have to change.”
Haley, in fact, is adding a discussion about that topic to a book he has authored about black intellectuals, one of his research interests.
To listen to the complete podcast, please to listen now or right-click and “save target as” to download file. You also can go to the 51Թ Conversations or iTunes for more download options.