Will Obama Help or Hurt Black People?

Prof. Vernellia Randall of the University of Dayton Law School poses the issue in a way that raises the question, if Obama wins, can he govern?

"I have been reluctant to wade in the discussion on Obama because I am conflicted. On the one hand, I am very proud of Obama. I truly believe that he wants a better America and on the other hand, I am very skeptical of his willingness to eliminate the gap in black people’s lives in access to and quality of goods, services, resources and opportunity. A race based gap that exist at every income level in every area of black life.

"I have long felt that when black people and white people hear his message of hope - they hear the exact opposite. Black people hear the hope of having a black president who will eliminate the gap between whites and blacks in access to services, goods, resources and opportunities. White people hear the hope of not only improved lives from themselves but also the hope not having to deal the issue of race any more.

"This makes Obama’s presidency particularly dangerous to the black community."

Prof. Randall does not address whether the failure to embrace the progressive aspects of Obama's candidacy will help or hurt black people, or what political strategies might be needed to achieve the reforms that she wants to see.