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17 February 2009
Webchat with Reporter Juan Williams and Forum on Obama’s Election
CO.NX webchat transcript, February 17
Juan Williams, a leading news analyst and journalist for National Public Radio (NPR), answered questions in a February 17 webchat on the significance of President Obama’s election and what it says about America today. The webchat ended with an open forum.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript
“What Obama’s Election Says About America”
Guest: Juan Williams
Date: February 17, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. EST (1400 GMT, 1400 Beijing)
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Welcome to our webchat "What Obama's Election Says About America" with noted reporter Juan Williams. We will begin the chat in 30 minutes. Until then, please continue to submit your questions.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Welcome to today's webchat! We are pleased to welcome Mr. Juan Williams. Mr. Williams is a journalist and analyst for National Public Radio. He also appears on the Fox News Channel. You can read more about Mr. Williams in the pod to the left. Mr. Williams will begin answering your questions in just a moment.
Question [IRC Madagascar - Hoby asks]: Is the election of Obama really mean Americans change of mentality towards racism?
Juan Williams: Hoby – The election of Barack Obama as President of the United States is evidence of what is possible with the present level of racism in the country. The new president is highly educated – he went to a preparatory school, Columbia University and Harvard Law School – and he has been both lucky and masterful in running political campaigns. A generation ago even a well-educated, lucky and masterful black man had no chance of winning the Presidency. My dad, standing on a street corner in New York, was in the middle of a big city but occupied a limited place. He could only live in certain places, job opportunities beyond manual labor and the post office were limited, and schools for his children had just become integrated.
Today I live in a country where my education and income mean that as a black man I can send my children to the best of integrated schools, I can live in almost any area I can afford and while top jobs in corporations, media, science and politics remain overwhelmingly held by whites there are more and more examples of blacks, Latinos and immigrants breaking through. The head of American Express is a black man, as is the Chairman of the Board of Time Warner, the nation’s biggest media company. Major black actors and writers are celebrated in this new America where a third of the population is Latino, Black and Asian with a high rate of immigrants. So race remains a factor, especially if you are poor and uneducated, but it is no longer the powerful factor that can completely define the life of a person of color in the U.S.
Q [Gandhi]: Why is Obama constantly depicted as a victory for the rights of "African-Americans? Afterall, his maternal parents and grandparents who raised him most of his life were whites! Would it not be proper to depict Obama's victory as color neutral equanimity of American voters?
A [Juan Williams]: Gandhi – You are right about the facts of President Obama’s parentage – his mother was a white American and his father a black Kenyan. But American culture has always classified people with any black parent, even great-grandparent, as a black person. That meant they did not have the rights or status of whites during the era of strict, legal segregation in the United States. It is a joke here that you know you are black if you can’t get a cab. By that standard, President Obama would look like any other black man if he was trying to get a cab. So despite his mixed parentage he is viewed by most Americans as black.
Q [demetri]: Are there any more minority politicians that might be president?
A [Juan Williams]: Demetri – Yes, there are others. There is a new generation of minority politicians who have been able to attract voters of all colors, just as President Obama has been able to do. They include the Governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick; Corey Booker, the mayor of Newark, N.J.; Artur Davis, a Congressman from Alabama. Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, has Latino heritage and there are rising stars that have never run for office but who might be big winners. For example, if Condoleezza Rice, the former Secretary of State ever decided to run for office she would be quite formidable.
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Many of you have asked questions about the economic stimulus plan. Please go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/economy/ for more information on this plan.
Comment [Keero]: I am Karim from Egypt :)
Comment [Gandhi]: I am Gandhi from Zambia
Comment [Bernard Simwinga zambia]: I AM BERNARD FROM ZAMBIA
Comment [EDWIN ZULU ZAMBIA]: EDWIN ZULU ZAMBIA
Comment [tommy]: Tommy Mumba, Journalist , SADC NCJ / BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL WRITERS-FOURM, ZAMBIA
Comment [abidjan irc 2]: I am williams from cote d'ivoire
Comment [Abidjan]: We are from Abidjan and we are glad to join the webchat
Comment [jimmy mwale]: jimmy mwale from Zambia
Comment [abidjan irc]: hello my name is Christian. i'm from cote d'ivoire and i'm very happy to join you on this forum.
Comment [angelo nkoloma]: ANGELO NKOLOMA :Zambia
Comment [William]: I am William Nguluwe from Zambia.
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Thanks for joining us today. We are glad you are here.
Comment [Abidjan]: I'm Izy from Abidjan
Comment [Joe Makulila And Robert Mwanza]: Joe Makulila and Robert Mwanza are online from Zambia.
Comment [Minthe Mohamed]: good afternoon sir, it is a great pleasure to share this afternoon
Comment [IRC Abidjan 18]: good morning, I’m kanga fabrice from abidjan and I’m very happy to join in this chat.
Comment [IRC Abidjan]: Hi! I'm Vanessa from Abidjan.
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Hi Vanessa!
Comment [Abidjan Irc (Amba)]: hello am Amba from Abidjan, very glad i am to join this webchat
Comment [EDWIN ZULU ZAMBIA]: I WISH HIM THE BEST WITH HIS CABINET, MAY GOD GIVE HIM THE STRENGTH EQUAL TO THE TASK, AMEN
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Thanks for your support, Edwin.
Comment [tareq]: I just wish good luck for Obama and America the great country.
Comment [jimmy mwale – Hendricks]: I am praying that the LORD GOD, grants the OBAMA and the family much more blessings and wisdom.
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Thanks Jimmy!
Comment [IRC Abidjan]: I encourage president Obama because he has many problems to solve and I think, change we can believe in!
Comment [abidjan irc 2]: I believe in Obama because it is the only president who want the change in America.
Comment [abidjan irc]: May God help him.
Q [Chiluba]: Obama's election has proved that Democracy as Abraham Lincoln defined it - "the government of the people, by the people, and for the people" and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream - "where my four children will never be judged by the colour of their skin, but by their character." This shows that Americans really practice real DEMOCRACY and RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. Hope other countries have learned one or two things starting from the PROCESS ending with VOTING and ANNOUNCEMENT of ELECTION RESULTS. To help African countries, does Obama Government have any plans to help African countries develop democracies and enhance their human rights?
A [Juan Williams]: Chiluba – President Obama has voiced a strong commitment to support Democracy around the world. His initial foreign policy challenges are handling the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, tensions in the Middle East and the spread of nuclear weapons. But his top advisors also speak about the significance of bringing economic growth and democracy to Africa as key to preventing terrorists from gaining any safe haven there.
Comment [tommy]: We wish Mr. Obama God's guidance and strength in his all Cabinet so that God will lead him and see him God give wisdom daily in his work and family protection in his Presidentship. Hope for the best for the American President Mr. Obama as he continues to lead the whole of Americans. We will always look to God in times of problems or joy with the Africans-Americans so that God, He will help all in times of financial crisis we are now facing. God will see us thru, it’s just a moment.
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Thanks for your prayers and hopes, Tommy.
Q [IRC Abidjan]: As we saw in some documentaries, the black race in the US is more poor than the rest of the population. I'd like to know what the new President has decided to do for a better living of the black race.
A [Juan Williams]: Abidjan – This is a tricky question. President Obama is not just president of black Americans but president of all Americans. When he launches a program to deal with poverty it is not limited to any one race. But you are right to think that President Obama, as a racial minority and someone who worked with poor black people after college, has a special awareness of the need to help the poor. And you are right to think that a disproportionate percentage of black and Latino people in the United States are poor.
High on the new president’s agenda is an economic package called a stimulus to get the U.S. economy out of recession. It includes added tax breaks for working class people who may not even pay taxes – so they will have more money to take home. It includes longer unemployment benefits and medical coverage. He is looking to reform the education system. All of these steps are meant for the benefit of every American but they will have greater impact on minority communities because they have more people living in or near poverty.
Comment [Minthe Mohamed]: don't you think, we all belong to the world and this racial issue is just a detail, and the most important is the value people get.
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Thanks for your comment, Minthe. Do you all agree?
Comment [Gandhi]: I wish the people of all faith subscribed to Minthe's mentality. It would make Obama's task so much easier in the middle-east!
Comment [Abidjan – Izy]: Minthe is right, the racial issue is not more important than the value of the person. If Obama can bring changes in American society, if can solve their problems why should they reject him because he is black. And I'm sure this is the case for Obama because he has a fighting spirit and he believes in his dream so he can bring the change.
Comment [Keero]: I do agree with Minthe and I personally believe the majority of the people of the world do. Being a middle-eastern, Obama is widely accepted here just because he wants to communicate. I think the world desperately needs this type of communication, and I am really very optimistic.
Comment [Chiluba]: Thank you for answer to my first question, I would love to know how many females has Obama nominated or appointed to be in his cabinet, does the number equal or near to that of males? And how many black people in his cabinet?
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Hi Chiluba. For more information on Obama's cabinet please go to http://uspolitics.america.gov/uspolitics/elections/cabinet.html. Obama's cabinet choices reflect the diversity of America.
Comment [Abidjan – Izy]: America has many problem these times, But I think Obama will gain if he gives more importance to the Internal Policy first. I'm not saying he should not interest himself in the foreign one but his priority must be the American territory. What do you think?
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Do you all agree with Izy?
Comment [Abidjan Irc (Amba)]: Yes, I agree with Izy because during his election campaign, Barack Obama put forwards the fact that we should have a USA for americans, and that in this land said to be a glory land, people earning with less means their living be able to achieve their dream. However, Barack Obama is not just the President of the US he is also the president of the world that is why he should not neglect his duties towards the rest of the world?
Comment [Abidjan – Izy]: I said he would gain in interesting himself to the internal policy because many American people whom he has been voted for are losing their job, some are getting very poor and many other are dying because they don't find mean to take care of their family. So trying to solve these problems will Americans love him more. As for the external policy I really appreciate his diplomatic way. It's the best way.
Comment [IRC Abidjan 18]: I totally do agree with Izy and I`m wondering if the foreign policy will not impact negatively on the internal one?
Comment [Minthe Mohamed]: i think you are right izi , he must face the internal problem first than beside let me know he need to resolve the mess in the world. obama is not only the president of us but the world president as he noticed.
Comment [Ahmed – Abidjan]: With a full respect to you, but Obama is a president for U.S. only! I like Obama so much, but in the end he is not my president!
Comment [Abidjan Irc (Amba)]: I disagree with Ahmed, Obama is physically the President of the US but do not forget that USA is the first power in the world therefore ruling just the US will not be sufficient for him to achieve his goal. The evidence is that during the campaign he and John McCain were asked to give their foreign policy and home policy.
Q [angelo nkoloma: What did Obama and Martin Luther King have in common?
A [Juan Williams]: Angela Nkoloma – President Obama and Dr. King are both men who broke down racial hatred and division. Dr. King used his powerful religious values to appeal to Americans and ask why all of God’s children should not be treated equally. President Obama has used his political skills to attract young people, minority voters and people unhappy with the direction of the country. He does not often speak about race. Instead he talks about there being one America – not a white America and a black America, not a rich America and a poor America – but one America. And he asks people, much like King, to see a common destiny.
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): You all are raising some excellent questions. Do you think racism can be eliminated? Please vote in our poll.
Comment [Ahmed]: Hello, I am Ahmed from Egypt. I just entered to this web chat to ask a question about the pure racism in America, and I saw this poll you have!
Comment [tommy]: Yes it can be eliminated as long as you can work together in one common goal to work as one family one nation one country.
Comment [Bernard Simwinga zambia]: I think racism is not all about the color, thank GOD ALMIGHTY people wont be looking at the color of skin any more, but its about love; loving others is the fountain of justice and peace. I believe OBAMA is got a heart (LOVE) for the people and his enemies as this will help him achieve all his plans.
Comment [Ahmed]: By the way, I know many Americans who are racists and who don't like Obama... although I think that Obama is "fixing" the image of U.S. at the Arabian area, but he stills should take a serious steps!
Comment: What I want to say is: You can't come and tell arabs: We are the first power, and you must do what we want... or this is could be considered racism... is not it?
Webchat Moderator (Tim): Upcoming event on February 19 at 0730GMT: Please join well-known Ugandan-American filmmaker, photographer, director and actor Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine on February 19 to learn about how he has used film and theater to educate and inform those affected by HIV/AIDS and to address such global issues as race, poverty and war -- http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=78760605936
Q [IRC Madagascar]: Ms Berthine asks: Obama’s election is a big change in Americans mentality towards segregation, but still there are minority who still stick to the past especially the old generation can you give more explanation about that?
A [Juan Williams]: Ms. Berthine – You have a good eye for American politics. When President Obama first began his campaign he did not have much support from older black and Latino politicians. They typically support Hillary Clinton, the wife of Former President Bill Clinton. In many cases they did not know President Obama. He did not come to public attention through the Civil Rights Movement. He was not a black minister and he had been defeated when he ran for Congress from a mostly black area of Chicago. To the older generation of minority politicians he was also someone who did not grow up in the black community, having spent his youth in Indonesia and Hawaii before attending mostly white schools. It was only after President Obama proved that he could defeat Hillary Clinton among white voters that the older black politicians realized he could be the first black president.
Q [William]: Black American youths in hip pop lifestyles seem to portray an “i don’t care attitude” toward school or education in their videos, does Obama’s success and education inspire them.
A [Juan Williams]: William – Good question about the Hip Hop lifestyle. Too often it is full of the gangsta’ life and thug attitude. The attitude toward school is that it is either a “White Thing” or a warehouse for black and Latino young people who are not expected to excel. I think this leads to people giving up on themselves and never trying to take advantage of education or opportunity – the very keys to President Obama’s success.
Good bye and thank you for your questions. I hope we can do this again.
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Thanks so much for being with us today, Mr. Williams!
OPEN FORUM
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): You all have asked so many great questions! Unfortunately, due to time constraints we will not be able to answer them all. However, we will now open the chat for your comments. Let's continue the discussion.
IRC Abidjan 18: how many black do we have in Obama`s cabinet?
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Here is a more information on Obama's cabinet: http://uspolitics.america.gov/uspolitics/elections/cabinet.html.
abidjan irc: please i'd like to know what kind of change obama can bring in us because concerning the iranian’s nuclear there is no change concerning their place at the security council there is not change in short what kind of change obama can bring.
Ahmed: Abidjan Irc! With a full respect to you and Obama... but you should notice that when U.S. forced it's "democracy" in Iraq, every arabian did not really like U.S.!
So regardless if America is the first power or not... I think that using the forces is not a good idea anymore... and I think that Bush failed in this anyway!
Tommy: Yes it has change the image of America abroad.
Ahmed: But if America uses the public diplomacy … it would be a better solution for sure!
Abidjan Irc (Amba): (for Ahmed) no i don't mean using force by 1st power, i just mean that the world is organized and this is why the US has to have a careful overview on the world. Look why in other countries people are not asked to give their foreign policies?
Abidjan Irc (Amba): Is it possible for Barack Obama to succeed his mandate without the support of Republicans?
Gievans: What is now the plans of Pres. Obama for all the armed forces deployed in the wars in diff. places like Iraq and Afghanistan?
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Visit our new Blog "First 100 Days". First 100 Days will follow President Obama's initiatives and policy directions. We'll look at new presidential orders, policies on the economy, alternative energy and foreign affairs, and his use of new media. We’ll review the new president's progress and governing style, take a look at the challenges of governing the United States, and keep you informed about the fun moments as well. We encourage you to share your thoughts on the president’s job. http://blogs.america.gov/campaign/
Ahmed: Don't you think that America is racist, because it does not allow arabs to enter it's lands? It's impossible for any young arab to be granted the U.S. visa! Don't you think it's a pure racism from America to do so? And do you think that Obama is going to change this soon? (My question is to Mr. Williams!)
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Mr. Williams had to go, but we are interested in hearing your thoughts and comments. Please also visit us on facebook at http://co-nx.state.gov and let us know what topics you would like to discuss in future programs.
Tommy: Ahmed the question he is asking are too strong why? It’s like you don't like President Obama's elections.
Keero: Ahmed, Mr. Williams left. I am Egyptian, and I believe your information is not right, regarding visas and stuff.
Ahmed: I like Obama, and I consider him a hero for sure! Keero, why do you think so? America is really very restrictive against Muslims and Arabs, when it comes to the visa!
Keero: I am in a community where a lot of us Egyptians earned US visas easily and smoothly.
Ahmed: My young friends from Europe can enter America without a visa under the Visa waiver program!
Keero: The Arab community in USA live a life that is much better than they live here.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): Ahmed is entitled to express his views as is everyone on this forum. We please ask you to be respectful when expressing those views. Thank you!
Vinicius Marra: Pres. Obama is much more diplomatic than Mr. Bush and for sure it will increase US popularity but we can not forget what happened in 2001.
Abidjan - Izy: Is Obama the first President to face so many crisis during his mandate?
Webchat Moderator (Kristin): Thanks to all of you for joining us today. However, we are now reaching the end of the program.
I hope you will visit our page at http://co-nx.state.gov to learn about future programs.
Webchat Moderator (Mark): The Webchat is now closed. We wish to thank Juan Williams for joining us today. A transcript of today's webchat will be posted to http://co-nx.state.gov and to http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html within one business day. Speakers are chosen for their expertise and may not reflect the views of the U.S. Department of State.
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