Must-see and hear of the day

By Kathy G.

Below is a clip of Rich Trumka of the AFL-CIO speaking about working class racism and the necessity of electing Barack Obama. It's powerful stuff. After watching this, I understood why Trumka is one of the leading figures in the American labor movement. He pulls off something very tricky here: he names the racist opposition to Obama for what it is, but not in a heavy-handed, guilt-mongering way. I think it's crucial that Obama supporters speak openly about the racism that Obama faces, in such a way that causes the people who have racist thoughts about him feel at least a wee bit guilty about it. Yet at the same time, we don't want to get all superior and self-righteous, because that's a turn-off.

I think Trumka strikes just the right balance in this speech. He calls out the racism for what it is, but doesn't say that those who harbor racist feelings are necessarily bad people. He frames racism as an evil, but also as something that can be overcome. In short, he appeals to folks' better angels, which I think is a much more effective way to go than castigating them would be. It's a moving speech, and he's an impressive rhetorician and speaker.

(H/T: Sir Charles of Cogitamus)

Comments

[Sir Charles]

Hi Kathy,

It's been awhile. Trumka is great -- not the kind of guy anyone makes arugula jokes about.

[Karl Weber]

Wow, what a speech! Thanks so much for posting. I feel fired up!

[Annie]

I'm speechless, but thankfully, Trumka is not.

[minstrel hussain boy]

add my kudos, and my thanks. . .will be linking this from gnb. . .

[Jesurgislac]

I'd love to post a link to this. Do you know where there's a transcript?