Unfortunately, racial identity remains a significant aspect of American politics. This dynamic was apparent in Barack Obama's political history even before he announced his desire to run for president in 2007. When commenting on the subject, Obama said, "I identify as African-American — that's how I'm treated, and that's how I'm viewed. I'm proud of it" (via NBC News).
But despite Obama identifying with the black community, this was not always reciprocated. Some pointed out that Obama did not have the typical African American childhood as he was raised mainly by his caucasian mother and his grandparents. The former president strongly felt this rejection from the black community when he contested against Bobby Rush, the only man to ever beat him in an election. In the words of David Remnick, author of "The Bridge: The Life and Rise of Barack Obama": "A community that [Obama] thought that he was part of, that he had aspired to, had rejected him and rejected him soundly" (via NPR).
In a 2007 essay for The Washington Post called "Black Like Me?," Marjorie Valburn addressed a broader perspective on this issue. She said, "American blacks don't have a monopoly on blackness or suffering. We black immigrants and children of immigrants are also often stopped by police for driving while black."
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