“Barack Obama would be the great black hope in the next presidential race — if he were actually black.” (Salon)
Debra J. Dickerson, author of The End of Blackness and An American Story, argues that Obama is “black” rather than black, as he cannot claim ancestry from African slaves.
“Lumping us all together.. erases the significance of slavery and continuing racism while giving the appearance of progress. Though actually, it is a kind of progress. And that’s why I break my silence: Obama, with his non-black ass, is doing us all a favor. Since he had no part in our racial history, he is free of it. And once he’s opened the door to even an awkward embrace of candidates of color for the highest offices, the door will stay open. A side door, but an open door.”
