Obama as the First Black President

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/02/opinion/obama-as-the-first-black-president.html

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To the Editor:

Re “The President of Black America?,” by Michael Eric Dyson (Sunday Review, June 26):

Surely the paramount challenge Barack Obama faced as the first black chief executive was establishing and defending his credentials as president of all the people. Nothing would have destroyed the hopes inspired by his election faster than a perceived racial tilt.

One can imagine the terrible anguish the president’s inner self must have suffered while he held to a restrained and steady course. All Americans, black and otherwise (I am white), are better for it.

WILLIAM C. SEXTON

Pittsfield, Mass.

To the Editor:

Michael Eric Dyson praises President Obama for his powerful eulogy delivered at the funeral for the Rev. Clementa Pinckney in Charleston, S.C., where he sounded so much like an African-American preacher in his delivery that one of the pastors of the A.M.E. Church jokingly called him “Reverend President.” Later, however, Mr. Dyson criticizes the president for the tough-love remarks he has sometimes made to black audiences.

Isn’t that what black preachers have done throughout the history of the black church? They have soothed us in our sorrow, cheered our delight and chastised our objectionable behavior — at least that was what was done in the churches I’ve attended.

DAVID L. EVANS

Cambridge, Mass.

To the Editor:

Michael Eric Dyson says, “Mr. Obama’s failure to take to the bully pulpit on race unhappily coincided with the rise of racial demagogues.” I see it differently. A black man in the White House, doing an excellent job in so many ways, enraged the virulent racists who desperately wanted Mr. Obama to fail. That is what brought out the racial demagogues.

America is infected with racism, and one black man, even the president, could not possibly win by attacking — head on — such a subtle, ingrained and powerful cancer.

In some ways, President Obama’s presidential career mirrors the racial battle that Jackie Robinson faced when he broke the color barrier in baseball. If they wanted to succeed, neither man could ever give their racist enemies any ammunition, any reason to allow their racist adversaries to win.

As a white man married to a black woman for 43 years, I was glad to hear Mr. Obama say that he is “not the president of black America,” which Professor Dyson found “dispiriting.”

I think some black leaders expected too much from our first black president. That is unfair to one who has done so much for black Americans and all Americans.

MICHAEL J. GORMAN

Whitestone, Queens

To the Editor:

I’m a 60-year-old white guy, and here’s what President Obama has done for me: He has made my relationships with black friends more personal.

As a result, I have a greater understanding of the black perspective on living in America. I pay more attention to black filmmakers, authors and media personalities. I find the comedy of Leslie Jones, Chris Rock and Tracy Morgan artistic and meaningful. I get why Spike Lee is angry, and not only do I listen to him, but I also agree with him. I cried for days when Trayvon Martin was murdered, and later the killer set free. I march with Black Lives Matter.

In Barack Obama’s 11th hour, I soak up every speech, every news conference, every public appearance, and I believe that his nuanced, inclusive manner is why he has done more for the future of black America than Michael Eric Dyson’s essay gives credit for. I’m really gonna miss this guy.

DOUG E. ROBERTS

West Hollywood, Calif.