Barack Obama and the Politics of Hip Hop

Some 600 hundred days from the election of a new President of the U.S arguably no one has more buzz than Barack Obama. In just one speech, Sen. Obama challenged all of us to have the “Audacity of Hope” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNCLomrqIN8 ), and in turn found himself as the democratic parties’ rising star. No one can deny the fact that Barack is a fully capable and extremely talented politician. However, when one runs for President of the U.S, especially in a very full field of candidates like John McCain and Hillary Clinton, they will be questioned and critiqued on every facet of their life. Here are some of the questions Barack will face:

• Is Barack Obama best equipped to deal with the current hostile climate internationally? As of right now he isn’t, but still he has time to both hire great minds around him and learn with an open mind himself (something this Presidency has lacked).

• Can Barack Obama turn rhetoric into tangible policy proposals? Barack is as smart as any candidate in the race and has served himself well with an experienced staff (Check out a Washington Post overview of Obama’s staff-- http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/01/the_obama_inner_circle.html ). However, his staff will have to work over time to get Barack on a presidential level with key policy issues.

Barack Obama will have to face all the aforementioned questions, and his response will either contribute to bolstering or crashing his political ambitions. With all of the questions Barack will be asked, the most important question will truly test and evaluate the character of both Sen. Obama the man and this country.

For Barack Obama the million dollar question will be,

• “Can America get over its subtle and blatant racism and vote for a black man if he proves himself strong in answering every other question?”

If you think this isn’t the million dollar question then get out of your shell and talk to a few people walking down the street. You might even find subtle prejudice like that of Sen. Biden who himself is running for President (Check out http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/31/biden.obama/index.html ). All of us, no matter what the race, have some subtle prejudice. The hope that America will look beyond our misconceptions and vote for a “politics of hope” is what Obama wants.

What Obama needs is a “Politics of Hip Hop”. No other group has the power to influence this election more than the Hip Hop Generation. For Obama, he must captivate the “hip hop generation” to win. Hip hoppers are familiar with new technology, which will be an important part of the puzzle for any candidate when raising money and articulating their message. Hip hoppers aren’t surprised to see blacks who are articulate, wealthy, or young (I.E- T.I, Mayor Corey Booker, Oprah Winfrey). Hip Hoppers have the youth to knock on doors and get their fellow citizen engaged. Hip hoppers, the generation from 18 to now 35, have the power to transform our nation and bring a “Politics of Hope” or shall I say “Hip Hop” in the White House. If Obama contacts the hip hop generation, especially in a packed primary, he might have a chance to make a “million dollar question” not one at all.

So to Sen. Obama, my suggestion is that you take one from Andre 3000 and realize that you and the hip hop generation are “neck to neck” and if they don’t “move their feet” to the polls then you will not win.