Barack Obama, the Middle Way, and words of Compassion

Obama's recent race speech is being described as one of the most important speeches in contemporary America. What struck me was that he didn't condemn his pastor's bitter words but rather humanized him, and humanized the black community.

but the anger is real, it is powerful, and to simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races

But at the same time, he did not demonize white people which is all to common in racial dialogue within communities of color which too easily dismiss white people's own pain and suffering.

to wish away the resentments of white Americans, to label them as misguided or even racist, without recognizing they are grounded in legitimate concerns, this too widens the racial divide, and blocks the path to understanding

But I think what is most inspirational about Barack Obama, which came out beautifully in this speech, is that he is not uncritical of America's flaws, but at the same time he is not so overly critical of America that it parallelizes the potential to change America for the better. This is what love is, for country or for a friend, for family, or for a life partner. We humanize them, and acknowledge flaws not in an egotistic and hateful way, but through the right intention of believing that they are capable of so much more, that you know and have confidence that they can be better people.

A commenter on YouTube wrote that the speech was, typical of Obama, great words, but no concrete actions outlined. To this, I say: but words are powerful. Culture is powerful. Action is of course important, but the consciousness and attitude of compassion and a genuine desire for positive change must come first and foremost, because in this way the actions are not just meaningless, sometimes even harmful actions, but they become infused with an expression of the truth, and they become infused with the right intention, and the right motivation, what Obama called in his speech "serious dialogue" and "working together."

I find the parallels of Obama's right intention with the right intention of the Dalai Lama. What the Western media has been leaving out of many of their reporting of the Tibetan riots is the fact that Tibetans are attacking innocent civilians. A Han Chinese boy runs into a monastery deftly shaking, petrified and fearing for his own life, and a Han Chinese woman doesn't dare to leave her home for fear of being attacked outside. Tibetan violence, we must understand its root, but in the end it is more harmful than it is helpful.

Only when both sides of a conflict cease the anger and violence can serious dialogue be engaged in, and then through working together can problems be solved. Sometimes, it's really extremely difficult to do so, but sometimes one side has to swallow its pride, and stop their anger and violence first before the other side. The Dalai Lama understands this, and is threatening to step down as the leader of Tibet's government in exile.

Sources:
- Short video of Obama's speech
- Full Version:


Articles:
- Obama's Race Speech Heralded as Historic
- Dalai Lama Appeals for Calm in Tibet