Of course, I appreciate not only the from-slavery-to-the-White House theme but also the Illinois connection this commemoration is intended to reflect. But I hope the organizers have the presence of mind to pay homage to the 80th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s birth as well.
[Obama’s inauguration…, The iPINIONS Journal, November 8, 2008]
When I read that the Presidential Inaugural Committe (PIC) had chosen to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth as the theme of Barack Obama’s inauguration, I wrote a commentary admonishing its members to be mindful of focusing too much on Lincoln’s era of Civil War and slavery and not enough on MLK’s era of Civil Rights and black liberation.
Then when it became clear that Obama himself was fixated on fashioning his presidency based on Lincoln’s, I felt obliged to write another, warning team Obama that:
Even though I appreciate President-elect Barack Obama’s desire to emulate the presidency of Abraham Lincoln – by appointing a “team of rivals” [featuring Hillary Clinton] to his cabinet, I think he’s taking it way too far.
[Despite my warning, Obama offers Hillary Sec of State, The iPINIONS Journal, November 22, 2008]
At the time, I thought it was obvious that changed circumstances made it untenable for Obama to pursue this course – fraught as it was with inherent conflicts. Yet, I was prepared to concede that appointing Hillary might turn out to be a shrewd political move; although, for reasons proffered in related commentaries, I give this appointment no more than a 44% chance of success.
I’m at a loss, however, to see how parading a bunch of women dressed up like Scarlet O’Hara – the coquettish icon of slave-holding, rebellious Southerners – celebrates the spirit of HOPE Obama’s election purportedly represents.
Therefore, I am not at all surprised that the head of the Alabama NAACP, Edward Vaughn, has filed a protest with the PIC. He laments that of all of the progressive marchers they could have chosen to represent his state, the PIC’s choice of Mobile’s Azalea Trail Maids is an insult.
Moreover, he pleads that:
We needed something that could show Alabama’s great progress rather than something that shows a shameful past.
And frankly, no matter how benign a Southern tradition these maids represent, I share Vaughn’s indignation. Which makes me wonder what the hell members of team Obama – many of whom comprise the PIC – were thinking….
Related Commentaries:
Obama emulating Lincoln’s “team of rivals” Cabinet
Obama’s inauguration to commemorate Lincoln
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