The Black Presidency : Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America

A provocative and lively examination of the meaning of America's first black presidency, by the New York Times -bestselling author of Tears We Cannot Stop . Michael Eric Dyson explores the powerful, surprising way the politics of race have shaped Barack Obama’s identity and groundbreaking presidency. How has President Obama dealt publicly with race—as the national traumas of Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, and Walter Scott have played out during his tenure? What can we learn from Obama's major race speeches about his approach to racial conflict and the black criticism it provokes? Dyson explores whether Obama’s use of his own biracialism as a radiant symbol has been driven by the president’s desire to avoid a painful moral reckoning on race. And he sheds light on identity issues within the black power structure, telling the fascinating story of how Obama has spurned traditional black power brokers, significantly reducing their leverage. President Obama’s own voice—from an Oval Office interview granted to Dyson for this book—along with those of Eric Holder, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young, and Maxine Waters, among others, add unique depth to this profound tour of the nation’s first black presidency. “Dyson proves…that he is without peer when it comes to contextualizing race in twenty-first-century America… A must-read for anyone who wants to better understand America’s racial past, present, and future.”—Gilbert King, author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Devil in the Grove “No one understands the American dilemma of race—and Barack Obama’s confounding and yet wondrous grappling with it—better than [Dyson.]”—Douglas Blackmon, author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Slavery by Another Name Michael Eric Dyson Delivers A Provocative Exploration Of The Politics Of Race And The Obama Presidency. Barack Obama's Presidency Unfolded Against The National Traumas Of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, And Walter Scott. The Nation's First African American President Was Careful To Give Few Major Race Speeches, Yet He Faced Criticism From All Sides, Including From African Americans. How Has Obama's Race Affected His Presidency And The Nation's Identity? Dyson Explores Whether Obama's Use Of His Own Biracialism As A Symbol Has Been Driven By The President's Desire To Avoid A Painful Moral Reckoning On Race. And He Sheds Light On Identity Issues Within The Black Power Structure, Telling How Obama Has Spurned Traditional Black Power Brokers, Significantly Reducing Their Leverage. Perhaps Most Movingly, Dyson Illuminates The Transformative Moments, Especially In His Second Term, When Obama Has Publicly Embraced His Blackness And Used It As A Powerful Lens Onto America, Black And White. President Obama's Own Voice--from An Oval Office Interview Granted To Dyson For The Book--along With That Of Eric Holder, Al Sharpton, And Andrew Young, Among Others, Adds Depth To This Tour Of The Nation's First Black Presidency.--adapted From Book Jacket. The Burden Of Representation -- How To Be A Black President : I Can't Sound Like Martin -- Invisible Man Got The Whole World Watching : Race, Bi-race, Post-race In The Obama Presidency -- Black Presidency, Black Rhetoric : Pharaoh And Moses Speak -- Re-founding Father : Patriotism, Citizenship, And Obama's America -- The Scold Of Black Folk : The Bully Pulpit And Black Responsibility -- Dying To Speak Of Race : Policing Black America -- Going Bulworth : Black Truth And White Terror In The Age Of Obama -- Amazing Grace : Obama's African American Theology -- President Obama's Speeches And Statements On Race. Michael Eric Dyson. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 282-333) And Index. A provocative and lively deep dive into the meaning of America's first black presidency, from "one of the most graceful and lucid intellectuals writing on race and politics today" ( Vanity Fair ). Michael Eric Dyson explores the powerful, surprising way the politics of race have shaped Barack Obama's identity and groundbreaking presidency. How has President Obama dealt publicly with race?as the national traumas of Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, and Walter Scott have played out during his tenure? What can we learn from Obama's major race speeches about his approach to racial conflict and the black criticism it provokes? Dyson explores whether Obama's use of his own biracialism as a radiant symbol has been driven by the president's desire to avoid a painful moral reckoning on race. And he sheds light on identity issues within the black power structure, telling the fascinating story of how Obama has spurned traditional black power brokers, significantly reducing their leverage. President Obama's own voice?from an Oval Office interview granted to Dyson for this book?along with those of Eric Holder, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young, and Maxine Waters, among others, add unique depth to this profound tour of the nation's first black presidency Title Page Contents Copyright Dedication Introduction: The Burden of Representation How to Be a Black President “Invisible Man Got the Whole World Watching” Black Presidency, Black Rhetoric Re-Founding Father The Scold of Black Folk Dying to Speak of Race Going Bulworth Amazing Grace Acknowledgments President Obama’s Speeches and Statements on Race Notes Index About the Author