Discuss Michael Eric Dyson's Nov. 5 Op-Ed article

"...the first black American who got the chance to prove it." Replace the word "black" with other words like female, Asian, cancer-surviving, or single-parent and then you see the significance of this historic election. All things are possible.

scastillo @ 2:29 PM PST, Nov 5, 2008

Hi Michael, I just wanted to let you know that THEWEEK.com linked to your article today in a piece we wrote titled "Racism after Obama's victory,' (http://www.theweek.com/article/index/90393/3/Racism_after_Obamas_victory). We enjoyed reading your take on this subject. Thanks, and all the best, Harold Maass Editor THEWEEK.com

Harold Maass @ 12:14 PM PST, Nov 5, 2008

This signals a change of direction. The civil rights movement removed the restrictive barriers of segregation and resulted in a dramatic increase in the black middle class. Now that energy must apply towards the empowerment of the black underclass. The place to start is the young, unwed mothers that sustain dysfunctional, matriarchic societies with the poverty related problems. Women-run societies often raise good women but not good men. Poorly trained men negatively influence their culture. Empowerment must occur, providing educational and economic opportunities do no good when people lack the attitudes and behaviors to take advantage.

Ransome @ 11:40 AM PST, Nov 5, 2008

Obama had a dream too. He studied hard and applied himself.This was his hour and and I have faith in him to be the best of examples as the most powerful man in the world. God Blessed him abuntately.

Rachel from Illinois @ 11:23 AM PST, Nov 5, 2008

"The brutal facts of black existence -- slavery, segregation and the stunting of social and political ambition -- have dashed the hopes of black progress time and again." We should never have to hear again how the blacks are treated unfairly. It's over! Thats refreshing, since no one living today ever owned black slaves, but we have sure been blamed for it. If a black person doesn't reach the goals they want, they have no one to blame but themselves!! I'm not sure they can live without having that crutch to throw up in our faces all the time!

norman @ 10:53 AM PST, Nov 5, 2008

So, then it was about race all along? Empty suit, but he's black, that makes him the right person. Hope you can now lay aside your white guilt as the debt has once and for all been paid by our American Republic, may it rest in peace.

RH @ 10:50 AM PST, Nov 5, 2008

Obama was elected DESPITE Sharpton and Jackson, not because of them. Wake up. White up-bringing and Harvard Law Review got the white votes. The message of Cosby, Thomas, Powell, Rice, and Obama is, "Drop the gangsta rap; talk and behave like us and you have a chance." Ironically, Obama who is not an African-American but half African and half white American, may well pressage a dimunition of our culture.

A. Callahan @ 9:50 AM PST, Nov 5, 2008

Barack's Victory proves that we have made progress as a Country. We no longer need institutions that push minorities ahead because of their skin color. We need private school like education and high expectations for kids of color.

KEith @ 9:26 AM PST, Nov 5, 2008

You are so right Mr. Dyson. The chain has been long and the links have been chinked but the power and strength has yanked Brother Barack over a barbwire fence to this pinnacle moment of achievement. Yes we can. As a black woman, I am beaming. As a mother of first time voters I am blazing with fire. Yes we can, yes we will, wait and see. pam ward, author WANT SOME GET SOME BAD GIRLS BURN SLOW

pam ward @ 9:00 AM PST, Nov 5, 2008

Any minority who would have won would have had a profound post campaign effect -- so this isn't merely a black / white issue, per se. In short, this is far more reaching; it is profound in a translucent way: Imagine for a moment that single parent doing his or her best to raise a child. A child that maybe that parent or guardian believed had little to no opportunity because of socio-economic status etc.. Imagine their feelings now -- and more importantly their child's -- if of a comprehensible age. Barrack's win provides a tangible road map for many who otherwise may have been lost.

R. Bassett @ 8:15 AM PST, Nov 5, 2008

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