Obama would try to represent all

Re “Would Obama be ‘black president’?” Feb. 10

I am surprised that no one has pointed out that 30 to 40 years ago, “black” referred to those we now speak of as African Americans. However, with the substantial immigration since 1965 of West Indians, Africans and others who are recognizably partially or wholly of African lineage (such as from Brazil and Panama), “black” has actually become an umbrella term for all those in America of African descent. Those of us teaching and writing about race and ethnicity emphasize that “black” is no longer synonymous only with African Americans; that is a dated notion that obscures our very altered reality in contemporary America.

Thus, a more accurate question -- if even thought to be necessary -- ought not to be whether Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) would or would not be a “black president,” but would he or would he not represent African Americans. That distinction would be a step toward broadening and more accurately conveying what he may represent, or may in part seek to represent, but he certainly understands that he cannot win if that is all he labors to emphasize.

I believe that Obama recognizes the need to persuade African Americans of his concern for issues of importance to them and, at the same time, that he fully understands the need to convince all Americans that he can represent the concerns of many segments of the American community.

ELLIOTT R. BARKAN

Professor emeritus

History and ethnic studies

Cal State San Bernardino