Changes

==Political Views==

==Political Views==

==Published Criticism==

==Published Criticism==

In April 2007 staff writers of ''The Boston Globe'' reported the criticisms of several prominent Black academics and social leaders regarding Obama's failure to speak out regarding acclaimed radio personality [[Don Imus]] who made racially insensitive on air remarks. Obama did not comment on the Imus situation until well after prominent civil right's leaders [[Al Sharpton]] and [[Jesse Jackson]] had called Imus to account and after Imus was suspended by MSNBC and CBS Radio. Obama's comment on the situation on April 10 was, "The comments of Don Imus were divisive, hurtful, and offensive to Americans of all backgrounds." <br />

On April 11th, 2007 staff writers of ''The Boston Globe'' reported the criticisms of several black commentators regarding Obama's apparent hesitation to join the race to condemn acclaimed radio personality [[Don Imus]] who called the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos"<ref name="reuters">{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN1237895620070412|title=Furor over Imus puts heat on other broadcasters|author=Daniel Trotta|publisher=Reuters|date=2007-04-12|accessdate=2007-04-12}}</ref> on the air during the April 4th broadcast. Obama did not comment on the Imus' remarks until well after prominent civil rights leaders [[Al Sharpton]] and [[Jesse Jackson]] had called Imus to account and after Imus was suspended by MSNBC and CBS Radio. Obama later weighed in on April 10th by saying, "The comments of Don Imus were divisive, hurtful, and offensive to Americans of all backgrounds." <br />  

The incident serves to further illustrate Obama's disconnection from the old-guard civil rights era "leadership" due to both his age, nontraditional background and intellect.  Failing to address the Imus issue was described by Melissa Harris Lacewell, a professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton University, as a "missed opportunity" to prove himself as a force for civil rights.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/04/11/obamas_silence_on_imus_alarms_some_blacks/ Obama's silence on Imus alarms some blacks], Rick Klein and Joseph Williams, ''The Boston Globe'', April 11, 2007.</ref> <ref>http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/04/obama_race_and_the_election.html Melissa Harris Lacewell exposed as hypocrite, ''Real Clear Politics.com''</ref>

 

The Globe reported that Obama's perceived delay in addressing Don Imus' remarks was described by Melissa Harris Lacewell, a professor of politics and African-American studies at Princeton University, as "miss[ing] an opportunity to prove himself to blacks and white liberals who would have wanted Obama take the lead in denouncing Imus."<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/04/11/obamas_silence_on_imus_alarms_some_blacks/ Obama's silence on Imus alarms some blacks], Rick Klein and Joseph Williams, ''The Boston Globe'', April 11, 2007.</ref><ref>http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/04/obama_race_and_the_election.html Melissa Harris Lacewell exposed as hypocrite, ''Real Clear Politics.com''</ref>

==Sources==

==Sources==