Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Is Barack Obama Good For Black People? The Great Debate in Harlem, Part 2 of 2
Bill Quigley
12 Aug 2009
🖨️ Print Article
On June 25, hundreds of black America's formost thnkers and doers gathered at St. Mary's Church in Harlem NY to ask and answer the question of whether Barack Obama was good or bad for black America. We here present some of the 5 to 7 minute presentations pro and con on whether Barack Obama is good for black America. Click the flash players to listen to or the mics to download them in MP3 format.

Glen Ford

The fact, says Dr. Jared Ball of Morgan State University and voxunion.com, is that Barack Obama did not emerge from the struggle of our people for peace and justice.  He has been imposed upon us by outside forces in answer to that struggle, not in fulfillment of it..

Charles Barron

 

While NY City Councilman Charles Barron disagrees with some of Obama's policies, he seems to draw a line around those who disagree with the president, calling them “intellectuals” who he says, do the hood no good.

 

Dr. Marimba Ani

Give the brotha a break?  Dr. Marimba Ani doesn't think we should give the American empire a break.  If anything, she notes, having a black man sitting in the big chair makes it harder to fight.

Charles Barron

 

argues that Barack Obama represents incremental but significant change, and even though the election was eight months ago, reaches back to compare Obama with McCain.

 

 

Viola Plummer

Barack Obama is a “yes we can” symbol of national unity for black people, says Viola Plummer.

.

 

Diop Olugbala

 

 

The Uhuru Movement's Diop Olugbala argues that a lesser evil is still quite evil. We can, he insists, do better.

 

Click here for part one of the Great Debate in Harlem, with Glen Ford, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Nellie Bailey and Dr. Gloria Browne Marshall

 

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • Communist Party Marxist - Kenya , Booker Omole
    Statement of Solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran Down with US Imperialism Forward with the Sovereignty and Dignity of Oppressed Nations
    04 Feb 2026
    The imperial assault on Iran is punishment for the crime of sovereignty, a protracted siege that oppressed nations worldwide recognize as a weapon threatening their own future.
  • BAR Radio Logo
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Black Agenda Radio January 30, 2026
    30 Jan 2026
    In this week’s segment, we talk about human rights and citizenship and the Trump administration's persecution of Haitian immigrants. We begin with a discussion of the need to protect the 14th…
  • Donald trump post on Truth Social
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Protecting the 14th Amendment, Citizenship, Due Process and Equal Protection
    30 Jan 2026
    Donald Trump's executive order challenging birthright citizenship also endangers the 14th Amendment guarantees of due process and equal protection. DaMareo Cooper is co-executive director of Popular…
  • Save TPS
    Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
    Trump Targets Haitian Immigration
    30 Jan 2026
    Trump's attacks on immigrants have focused on Haitians. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may end for 350,000 people, and even those scheduled to be sworn in as citizens are now being denied. Abraham…
  • Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    ICE Exposes Democratic Party Irrelevance
    28 Jan 2026
    The Democratic Party is useful only to the oligarch class, who give them their marching orders. Doing anything that serves the people is never on their agenda. They will not address the ICE…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us