[Ws:] That there is a need for a new form of black activism that moves away from black identity politics - which was the hallmark of black power politics mentioned above - and toward issues that affect all Americans, such as health care, housing/credit, urban development, transportation, education etc. even though some of them may affect blacks more than whites. I think Obama is trying to move in that direction, and that is more encouraging than the old politics of the black ghetto.
Wojtek
^^^^^ CB: This is 3/4 wrong and 1/4 correct.
Black power and ghetto politics was very good for the period when there had been 300 years of no Black power. So, your tone of disdain for the Black power politics in the 1970's is wrong. Of course , as Doug pointed out, Black people still voted for lots of white politicians in the 70's and since. White power was still overwhelmingly dominant.
Now Black people can still vote for Blacks and a Black for President, even. They've voted for whites enough already. The new politics would be Whites voting for Blacks and Browns and Reds. The main new politics America needs is to get away from the old politics of the white suburbs. That will be a new White politics, The politics of White Panthers, a new White activism.
Obama is bad (see this thread) , but Whites voting for him could presage a significant change in attitudes about race in America. Whites voting for O could impact the attitudes of Blacks toward whites.
Well, yea we need everybody to vote for a social democratic program, an urban agenda, a new New Deal...natch.