Walton speaks about African-American historic struggles, politics

Speakers, dinners and lectures are part of Black History Month at MU.

By Juana Summers

Published Feb. 9, 2009

For one University of Michigan professor, the change President Barack Obama spoke about was a long time coming but not one he expected to see.

"When he first announced, I told people I didn't think he had much of a chance. I never thought I would see this in my life," said Hanes Walton, a University of Michigan political science professor. "I was in college in 1959. I was there when the sit-ins started in 1960."

Those contemporary musings on a historical past marked with struggle and controversy, along with political analysis were part of Walton's speech Feb. 6 at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.

Walton is the author of the upcoming book "Letters to President Obama: Americans Share Our Hopes and Dreams with the First African-American President," and he spoke at MU as part of the university's Black History Month programming.

The event was intended to give a historical and critical perspective on the black voter during the 2008 election cycle. The two-year cycle challenged conventional wisdom on the black vote in America, largely through the candidacy of Obama.

Across the city of Columbia this month, well-known African Americans who have made a difference are being celebrated as part of Black History Month. A speaker series, celebratory dinners and lectures at the university will continue through the end of February.

The theme for the university's celebration of Black History Month is "A Quest for Black Citizenship in America." Although traditionally the holiday has taken a retrospective look at accomplishments of African Americans, this year's inauguration of the first black president has provided a pause of that tradition to instead talk of progress.

Even though the event was billed to discuss the black vote, Walton talked about the implicit failures of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's campaigns.

Walton said the Obama campaign strategy "rewrote the book" when it comes to presidential campaigning. Bringing black voters out in great numbers was a key factor of Obama's success, he said, as the black vote numbers in the 2008 general election broke records.

"An African American won the presidency and carried three of the former states of the old Confederacy," Walton said. "Only two Democratic presidents have done that."

He also discussed his frustration with questions he was asked by journalists about black support of Obama before the former Illinois senator won in Iowa.

"I had never heard of Barack Obama before he announced for the United States Senate, and race and politics is one of my specialties," Walton said.

Walton said Obama initially lacked name recognition within the black community, unlike Clinton. He said ordinary, working African Americans likely had no knowledge of Obama, regardless of his racial heritage.

"It is silly to think that somehow the majority of African Americans paid attention to this new guy," he said.

Walton said Obama didn't seem to worry about not initially attracting the black vote.

"He turned and simply said that when black people see (him) win something, then they will support (him)," Walton said. "That's all he said."

The rest, Walton said, is history.

In recognition of that history, professors and administrators will give a series of "Great African American Speeches" throughout February in Memorial Union's Bengal Lair. The speeches range from contemporary figures, such as Obama and Malcolm X, to less frequently referenced black speakers, such as Maria W. Stewart.

While traditional Black History Month celebrations involve a series of speakers, events and discussions about black achievement, the university community is also celebrating the 40th anniversary of black studies programs nationwide, in a country that still struggles in the area of race relations. MU's Black Studies program was created 39 years ago and was formerly a major in the College of Arts and Science.

"The Black Studies approach has, from its beginnings, been embedded within the tradition of the scholar-activist," interim assistant director of black studies David Brunsma said in a news release. "A tradition of pursuing knowledge not for knowledge's sake, but pursuing knowledge for the good it can do for the black community and humanity at large."