The Price of the Ticket: Barack Obama and the Rise and Decline of Black Politics (Transgressing Boundaries: Studies in Black Politics and Black Communities)

The historical significance of Barack Obama's triumph in the presidential election of 2008 scarcely requires comment. Yet it contains an irony: he won a victory as an African American only by denying that he should discuss issues that target the concerns of African Americans. Obama's very success, writes Fredrick Harris, exacted a heavy cost on black politics. In The Price of the Ticket , Harris puts Obama's career in the context of decades of black activism, showing how his election undermined the very movement that made it possible. The path to his presidency began just before passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, when black leaders began to discuss strategies to make the most of their new access to the ballot. Some argued that black voters should organize into a cohesive, independent bloc to promote both targeted and universal polices; others urged a more race-neutral approach, working together with other racial minorities as well as like-minded whites. This has been the fundamental divide within black politics ever since. At first, the gap did not seem serious. But the post-civil-rights era has accelerated a shift towards race-neutral politics. Obama made a point of distancing himself from older race-conscious black leaders, such as Jesse Jackson- and leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus-even though, as Harris shows, he owes much to Jackson's earlier campaigns for the White House. Unquestionably Obama's approach won support among whites, but Harris finds the results troublesome. The social problems targeted by an earlier generation of black politicians--racial disparities in income and education, stratospheric incarceration and unemployment rates--all persist, yet Obama's election, ironically, marginalized those issues, keeping them off the political agenda. Meanwhile, the civil-rights movement's militancy to attack the vestiges of racial inequality is fading. Written by one of America's leading scholars of race and politics, The Price of the Ticket will reshape our understanding of the rise of Barack Obama and the decline of a politics dedicated to challenging racial inequality head on. The Historical Significance Of Barack Obama's Triumph In The Presidential Election Of 2008 Scarcely Requires Comment. Yet It Contains An Irony: He Won A Victory As An African American Only By Denying That He Was The Candidate Of African Americans. Obama's Very Success, Writes Fredrick Harris, Exacted A Heavy Cost On Black Politics.in The Price Of The Ticket, Harris Puts Obama's Career In The Context Of Decades Of Black Activism, Showing How His Election Undermined The Very Movement That Made It Possible. The Path To His Presidency Began Just Before Passage Of The 1965 Voting Rights Act, When Black Leaders Began To Discuss Strategies To Make The Most Of Their New Access To The Ballot. Some Argued That Black Voters Should Organize Into A Cohesive, Independent Bloc; Others Urged A More Race-neutral Approach, Working Together With Other Racial Minorities As Well As Like-minded Whites. This Has Been The Fundamental Divide Within Black Politics Ever Since. At First, The Gap Did Not Seem Serious. But The Post-civil-rights Era Has Accelerated A Shift Towards Race-neutral Politics. Obama Made A Point Of Distancing Himself From Older Race-conscious Black Leaders, Such As Al Sharpton And Jesse Jackson--even Though, As Harris Shows, He Owes Much To Jackson's Earlier Campaigns For The White House. Unquestionably Obama's Approach Won Support Among Whites, But Harris Finds The Results Troublesome. The Social Problems Targeted By An Earlier Generation Of Black Politicians--racial Disparities In Income And Education, Stratospheric Incarceration And Unemployment Rates, Rampant Hiv In Black Communities--all Persist, Yet Obama's Election, Ironically, Marginalized Them. Meanwhile, The Civil-rights Movement's Militancy Is Fading From Memory.written By One Of America's Leading Scholars Of Race And Politics, The Price Of The Ticket Will Reshape Our Understanding Of The Rise Of Barack Obama And The Decline Of A Politics Dedicated To Challenging Racial Inequality Head On--publisher Description. Clash Of Ideas -- Chicago, Political Capital Of Black America -- Entering The Promise Land -- Respectability As Public Philosophy -- Wink, Nod, Vote -- Price Of The Ticket. Fredrick C. Harris. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [193]-204) And Index. "The historical significance of Barack Obama's triumph in the presidential election of 2008 scarcely requires comment. Yet it contains an irony: he won a victory as an African American only by denying that he was the candidate of African Americans. Obama's very success, writes Fredrick Harris, exacted a heavy cost on black politics. In The Price of the Ticket, Harris puts Obama's career in the context of decades of black activism, showing how his election undermined the very movement that made it possible. The path to his presidency began just before passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, when black leaders began to discuss strategies to make the most of their new access to the ballot. Some argued that black voters should organize into a cohesive, independent bloc; others urged a more race-neutral approach, working together with other racial minorities as well as like-minded whites. This has been the fundamental divide within black politics ever since. At first, the gap did not seem serious. But the post-civil-rights era has accelerated a shift towards race-neutral politics. Obama made a point of distancing himself from older race-conscious black leaders, such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson--even though, as Harris shows, he owes much to Jackson's earlier campaigns for the White House. Unquestionably Obama's approach won support among whites, but Harris finds the results troublesome. The social problems targeted by an earlier generation of black politicians--racial disparities in income and education, stratospheric incarceration and unemployment rates, rampant HIV in black communities--all persist, yet Obama's election, ironically, marginalized them. Meanwhile, the civil-rights movement's militancy is fading from memory. Written by one of America's leading scholars of race and politics, The Price of the Ticket will reshape our understanding of the rise of Barack Obama and the decline of a politics dedicated to challenging racial inequality head on"--Publisher description In this book, Fred Harris contends that Obama's success has, in reality, exacted a negative price. His victory has not only utterly transformed the forms of black politics that emerged in the 1960s and which laid the foundation for his eventual ascendance, Harris claims - it has profoundly weakened them