It has been along time since I heard a political speech like the one given by Barak Obama today.

I acknowledge the speech was prompted by and necessitated by the growing political turmoil in reaction to the publicized incendiary comments made by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright during one or more sermons at the Trinity United Church of Christ.

Nevertheless, it was a brilliant political speech because it genuinely was from the heart and for the first time in many years addressed the one topic that continues to permeate throughout our democracy and remains the cancerous tumor it has always been: racism.  What a dilemma for a black candidate in America!  He can continue to ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist—how disingenuous!  On the other hand he can confront and deal with it—how dare he!  In many ways, he is damned if does and damned if he doesn’t.   This is not the same problem confronted by Sen. Clinton in her candidacy.  

Do we really believe Americans will go to the polls and cast their vote for either a black man or a white man without the color of their skin playing no role whatsoever?  Right.  

For the first time in years I can remember, we had a candidate for public office put it all out there for the world to see.  It was an incredibly honest speech evincing a candor that has not been seen or heard from since John Kennedy ran for office against Richard Nixon.  This speech was thoughtful, well reasoned, logical, articulate, and courageous!  Oh my goodness, it was written and delivered by a black man!

I particularly liked when he quoted William Faulkner.  I can just hear President Bush now as he lamely asked, “did he see ‘Meet the Fockers?’”  How nice it will be hear from a thoughtful, well reasoned, logical, articulate, educated President.