The race whisperer : Barack Obama and the political uses of race / Melanye T. Price.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Price, Melanye T., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Obama, Barack--Oratory.

Obama, Barack.

Rhetoric--Political aspects--United States--History--21st century.

Rhetoric.

Communication in politics.

History.

Race relations.

Rhetoric--Political aspects.

Oratory.

United States--Race relations--Political aspects--History--21st century.

United States.

Communication in politics--United States--History--21st century.

United States--Politics and government--2009-.

Politics and government.

Race relations--Political aspects.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xiii, 205 pages ; 22 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : New York University Press, [2016]

Summary:

After George Zimmerman was found not guilty of killing Trayvon Martin, President Obama talked poignantly about his experiences as a Black man and pointed to intraracial violence as serious and for Black boys. He offered no sweeping policy changes or legislative agendas; instead, he suggested that prejudice would be eliminated through collective efforts to help Black males and that all people should reflect on their own prejudices. Obama's presidency provides a unique opportunity to engage in a discussion about race and politics. In The Race Whisperer, Melanye Price analyzes the manner in which Barack Obama uses race strategically to engage with and win the loyalty of potential supporters. Drawing examples from Obama's campaigns and presidency, to Price demonstrate his ability to authentically tap into notions of blackness and whiteness to appeal to particular constituencies. By tailoring his unorthodox personal narrative to emphasize those parts of it that most resonate with a specific racial group, he tailor his message effectively to that audience, shoring up electoral and governing support. The book also considers the impact of Obama's use of race on the ongoing quest for black political empowerment-the intense scrutiny of Obama's relationship with the black community, Obama's unwillingness to be more publicly vocal in light of that scrutiny, and the black community's reluctance to use traditional protest and advocacy methods on a black president. Arging for a more complex reading of race in the age of Obama, The Race Whisperer breaks new ground in the study of race and politics. Book jacket.

Contents:

Barack Obama and Black Blame: Authenticity, Audience and Audaciousness

Barack Obama, Patton's Army, and Patriotic Whiteness

Barack Obama's More Perfect Union

An Officer and Two Gentlemen: The Great Beer Summit of 2009.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781479853717

1479853712

9781479819256

1479819255

OCLC:

926743433