Discussion of Obama in honor of Black History Month

Three local groups sponsored the event.

By Greg Young

Published Feb. 20, 2009

At the St. Paul AME Church, Columbia residents gathered for a forum discussion Thursday night in which they discussed their feelings about the presidency of Barack Obama and other domestic issues.

The forum discussion, which about 10 people attended, focused not only on the effect of Obama's presidency, but a wide range of issues, from the benefits and drawbacks of increased technology to a recent controversial New York Post cartoon that depicted the stimulus package as a gorilla that had been shot.

The event was hosted by three groups: the Activities and Recreation Center, St. Paul AME Church and the Frederick Douglass Coalition, in honor of Black History Month.

The discussion was open, and all of the people in the crowd were allowed to talk and ask questions to the panel.

After moderator Bill Thompson, a recreation specialist at the ARC, asked a few questions early in the event, the discussion was self-sustaining.

"Once you get it going, it takes over and runs itself," Thomspon said.

He said the event had a low turnout because of a funeral occurring at the same time.

All around, the panelists said that they appreciated the discussion, and the tone was fairly cordial throughout.

"The dialogue was good and people respected each other," said Glenn Cobbins, a community organizer and the co-founder of the Imani Mission Center.

Another panelist, local radio host Tyree Byndom, said that the discussion was different from hosting his radio show because he got to interact with people on a closer level.

"I think it is really important for us to talk," Byndom said. "I'm used to talking to the masses, but you've got to be able to go and talk to the people."

Another subject of discussion was on the steps people should take to bring about the change Obama promised during his campaign. The panel emphasized the importance of Obama's grassroots efforts during his campaign.

"If you want to see change in some way, you've got to go out and create change," said Khesha Duncan, UM programs coordinator and a panelist at the event.

Byndom reflected Duncan's sentiment during the panel discussion, saying people need to take action in their communities.

"It's made me step up the way I've served," Byndom said about Obama's election. "No longer can we just lead by words."

Cobbins mentioned the importance of a grass roots movement for change in communities throughout the U.S.

"One person can't do it alone," Cobbins said. "It takes a village to raise a child."

Duncan, along with the other panelists, also said that Obama would hold up a mirror to the African-American communities strengths and faults. Throughout the campaign, Obama stressed that African-American fathers had to play a larger role in their children's lives.

"I love the fact that he's going to have to challenge black people," Duncan said. "He's going to make all of us accountable whether we like it or not."