The Persistence of the Color Line: Racial Politics and the Obama Presidency

by Randall Kennedy

Timely—as the 2012 presidential election nears—and controversial, here is the first book by a major African-American public intellectual on racial politics and the Obama presidency.
 
Renowned for his cool reason vis-à-vis the pitfalls and clichés of racial discourse, Randall Kennedy—Harvard professor of law and author of the New York Times best seller Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word—gives us a keen and shrewd analysis of the complex relationship between the first black president and his African-American constituency.
 
Kennedy tackles such hot-button issues as the nature of racial opposition to Obama, whether Obama has a singular responsibility to African Americans, electoral politics and cultural chauvinism, black patriotism, the differences in Obama’s presentation of himself to blacks and to whites, the challenges posed by the dream of a postracial society, and the far-from-simple symbolism of Obama as a leader of the Joshua generation in a country that has elected only three black senators and two black governors in its entire history.
 
Eschewing the critical excesses of both the left and the right, Kennedy offers a gimlet-eyed view of Obama’s triumphs and travails, his strengths and weaknesses, as they pertain to the troubled history of race in America.

Genres: Politics, Race, Nonfiction, History

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a topic that warrants a book undoubtedly but honestly, I felt Kennedy's particular take on the matter could probably have been covered in a long-ish NY Times or Atlantic article without losing too much of the meat here. The book is decently written and there were some great anecdotes referencing the flagrant racism of some prior presidents (including some who are are revered in the history books for their courageous stands against slavery, Jim Crow or racism as a whole) and 'founding fathers.'

The chapter tying recollections of the author's veteran father to a larger historical examination of the relationship between African-Americans and patriotism was a particular standout in my view, but by the end, I wasn't sure what Kennedy's final feeling towards his overall theme encapsulated in the book title was or whether spending time reading it had been worth it or not.

[Joshunda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Randall Kennedy is a deft writer and with this book he has made me want to read everything else he's ever written. He does a good job, I think, of noting that he favors a lot of things about Obama symbolically while also critiquing some of his non-progressive stances on same-sex marriage and his lack of a stance on the high incarceration rate for black men. I liked this book a lot, even though I'm not a huge political junkie & sometimes legal jargon makes my eyes cross.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kennedy does a salutary job of explicating the psychology that exists at the intersection of race and politics, especially as it relates to the Obama presidency. These stand alone essays are wide ranging and perceptive in their analysis of both the racial politics (which involve all races; not just black or white) and the social millieu our most recent and historical presidential cycle.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, informative and enlightening look at Obama's candidacy and presidency, and the question of post-racialism in America (Kennedy demolishes the latter notion early on). Randall Kennedy is a formidable scholar who writes with clarity and grace, yet is not above biting sarcasm. One of my favorite sentences: “When people exclaimed that they never thought that they would live to see the day a black man was elected president, they were indicating how little they expected of their fellow Americans.” Professor Kennedy is clearly a fan, but determined not to be dazzled. Commenting on the defense by some supporters of the Obama administration's accomplishments to date (the book was published in August of 2011) against attacks from the left he observes, "The progressive reforms attributable to Obama are surely praiseworthy. But to laud them as "enormous" is to indulge in grade inflation."

[Lashawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book absolutely captivating—I could hardly put it down. Kennedy tackles a subject that feels both urgent and deeply relevant to today’s political climate, and he does so with the pacing and readability of a novel. His engaging narrative style draws the reader in, making complex issues accessible without sacrificing depth.

What makes the work especially rewarding is Kennedy’s meticulous research. The footnotes and endnotes are not merely academic formalities; they are rich with fascinating details and insights that enhance the main text. Skipping them would mean missing out on some of the book’s most compelling revelations.

Kennedy succeeds in delivering a book that is at once entertaining, thought-provoking, and highly informative. It bridges the gap between scholarly analysis and engaging storytelling, making it suitable for both casual readers and those with a keen interest in contemporary political issues.

In short, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand the political forces shaping our world today. Kennedy not only informs but also challenges readers to think critically about the times we live in, which is the mark of truly impactful writing.

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good analysis of the Obama presidency.

[Hezekiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The racial politics of the Obama administration was the most talked about issue during the 2008 presidential election. For reasons unknown, the racial politics of the election not only dominated the conversation but also drove particular selections. Obama has created a division within the history of America's race relations that normally would be ignored but was surfaced. The author Randall Kennedy writes about the complicated race relations of America and why Obama was truly elected. From handling black politics to how he is viewed in white America, Obama has walked a fine line of pleasing all parties. His democratic nomination was due to the likeness of white America and the guilt that is attributed to all the bad things they have done. Using that guilt, he rode it to the election into the White House and as such becoming the 44th president. Once elected, he used that position to enforce his policies without stratifying race relations or racial lines in favor of either side. the author dives into these crucial positions and the racial implications about the conservative right in their criticism. The racial aspects of Obama's election are still being used today and affect the presidency of the White House. Race has always been a powerful dynamic in America and in electing the first black president, America has chosen to bring this problem to the forefront. It is a problem that America still struggles with continuously.

[Theon Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Randall Kennedys book, The Persistence of the Color Line: Racial Politics and the Obama Presidency, explores the continued relevance of race in the age of Obama, as his Du Boisian title might suggest. Having read much on the subject, I found the book to be fresh, insightful, and informative. He focuses on how Mr. Obama ascended to the presidency, how the 44th president interacts with different racial constituencies in the nation, and what his presidency means for the future of American race relations. If I had to describe the book in one word, I would call it “fair.” Kennedy respectfully examines conservative and liberal perspectives on Mr. Obama’s failures and successes in the book. He does not dehumanize those with whom he disagrees Admittedly, Kennedy writes from a moderately liberal stance. However, I believe that he is fair to people on both ends of the ideological spectrum who might disagree with him and represents their views faithfully. This book will be of interest to people who seek to critically engage issues of race and ethnicity in the 21st century from all ideological perspectives.

[Wisteria Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every American should read this if you want to understand the persistent battle of racism in America. Are you curious to see how our political system has influenced the current status quo?
Randall Kennedy Harvard law professor and author presents a look at our history particularly in his words, "...The troubled history of race in America."
This book subtitled: Racial Politics and the Obama Presidency may astound you as it did me. As a librarian and interested reader of non-fiction, I was impressed with his detailed bibliography. Now to find a little more room on my bulging bookshelves. This one is on my Must Keep bookshelves.

[Zoe Xiuha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit to being disappointed by this book. Strangely, while acting as a decent historian of important racial moments surrounding and plaguing the Obama presidency, Kennedy's famed persuasive skills felt lacking. Instead of poignant legal, social, and contextual analysis, the book overwhelmingly felt like a series of judgments (racist/not racist, intentional/unintentional, malicious/benign) with little concrete backing. Definitely a project whose subject matter deserves extensive study, however an unfortunately under-nuanced undertaking.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have loved this book in poli sci class. Chapters that read like a compilation of thoughtful essays about Obama's 2008 campaign and election and the appointment of Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Kennedy answers the question of whether or not America is postracial in the book's first sentence: No. For both the black AND white communities there are questions about the "tightrope between being black enough but not too black."

[Andre(Read-A-Lot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and quick read. Some of the material is dated obviously. The premise of the book is that the election of Obama did not erase the color line. The folly in thinking otherwise, is clearly debunked by Mr. Kennedy. If you are one who subscribes to some post-racial period that we now are in, then read this book and see if you still feel the same way at the end.

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this thoughtful book, especially after having read Rebecca Traister's "Big Girls Don't Cry." Many of the same events from the 2008 interpreted quite differently. This book goes further than the campaign, however, and analyzes the Obama presidency as well.

[Beardo Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kennedy with another in a dependable line of considered, eloquent and (generally) balanced writing on complicated subjects. I found myself disagreeing with a number of his stances throughout but, as always, happy to have engaged in that mental battle with his writing.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. I've gotta read more of this guy's work.

[Brian Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book written by an African-American Harvard Law professor who realizes that Obama, as a professional politician, must walk carefully amid a racial minefield.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a pleasure to read Randall Kennedy, a consistently thoughtful, insightful, and eloquent writer.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

prescient socio-political commentary on the United States's rife history of race through the prism of the Obama presidency.

[Billy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Topical, of course, but it will be more interesting to read this in 20 years. Interesting how Prof. Kennedy uses the same ethical appeal he alternatively faults and defends the president for.

[Ellen Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written like an elegant, beautifully reasoned legal brief, this book takes a hard look at the role racial prejudice played in Obama's campaigns and his presidency.

[Seth Arnopole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the most perceptive writing about President Obama that I have read.

[Magnus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was ok.

[Arzikia · Rating 3 out of 5]

History is an undeniable part of life. While reading this book, I was drawn to a poem written by a New York educator and writer Abel Meeropol and later put to music by Billie Holiday and Nina Simone.

The irony of the symbolism in describing hanging dead corpses as live, fresh fruit is a powerful merging of two very opposing concepts. Hanging fruit is generally assumed to ripe and alive (fresh) and ready to eat; to provide nourishment for our bodies. A good thing provided to us by God above is used to replace the image of a bad thing, hanging from the tree.

Hanging and lynching of black men and women was a direct byproduct of slavery. Thereby, the message that the author is conveying is that people who suffered and died by hanging as a result of slavery - those people (and the act and image altogether) are fruit.

If we are able to replace the image, the memories and the generational backlash of bodies with edifying visual of apples, oranges, lemons or whatever your fruit of choice may be that grows and hangs ripe for your picking -- from a tree, then perhaps you can accept slavery as apart of God's plan for the nourishment of the souls mankind.

For if you lived long enough, you know then that happiness is much sweeter when you're intimately familiar with grief, despair and sadness. For the good company of others means so much more when you come to know and spend time with those who are less pleasant to be amongst.

I am appreciative of the time spent and research gathered in the publication of this book. Further, I do applaud President Obama, his cabinet and staff on their delicate handling of the issue of race during his presidency. I'm thankful they saw fit not to agitate the elephant the room.

While I feel that my country, this place I know and call home has burned, damaged and left set aside some of the many children born in its very own backyard while embracing and lifting up those of foreign nations or more bluntly newer immigrants (because unless you're of Native American decent then most of us in fact are of the lineage of an immigrant), I'm glad to be American. I rationalize the unfairness, improprieties and un-leveled playing fields via Darwinism. I just hope that unlike Martin Luther King, Jr and so many others that I am again able to reap the benefits of the things that I have overcome.

I found the deepest truths is this book in thoughts that conveyed that "important figures in American history have contemplated with fear and awe the prospect of divine retribution for racial slavery."

"Thomas Jefferson remarked, "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.""

While I'd rather not think slavery was of an order of God, I do honor the privilege to have friends and family of all different races, backgrounds and religions and give that sweet glory to God. And having our first black President is one of the greatest proofs that we have embarked and broken new ground on something incredibly wonderful and powerful to build upon. I believe the seed has been planted for a greater resistance to "The Persistence of the Color Line."