Don Lemon Looks At Black Men in the Age of Obama

'Barack Obama.' I had read the name in the local papers for weeks and thought nothing of it. But as a newbie TV news anchor in Chicago, the writers and producers knew the critics were watching my every move. So they spelled the name out for me phonetically in the news copy. It rolled across the teleprompter as "BUH-ROCK OH-BOM-AH." My next thought was whew, I said it correctly. Truth is, that's about all I remember of that news story except another unusual name 'Axelrod' as in David, was also included. It was late 2003, early 2004. So, I would imagine the story referenced Illinois State Senator Obama's aspiration of becoming a U.S. senator.

Shortly after that, Mr. Obama began dropping by the station to be interviewed for our Sunday morning political news program called City Desk. He seemed a bit thin and appeared to always don the same khaki/greenish dress pants with a dark sports coat. I wasn't on the political beat. I didn't meet him then. But as a local news anchor, the invitations to emcee fundraisers, moderate panels and give speeches often put me in the same room with Mr. Obama and his wife Michelle. If you had asked me then, which one would eventually end up becoming President of the United States, I would have said Mrs. Obama. Check her resume.

His profile, however, rose very quickly after his surprising landslide primary victory in 2004. Truth be told, before then, many African-Americans in Chicago begrudged him for having the audacity to run against incumbent and beloved U.S. Representative Bobby Rush in 2000. He lost that race. His profile, however, rose very quickly after his surprising landslide primary victory in 2004.

When people ask me why I'm amazed at what Barack Obama has accomplished, I tell them it's not because of what most of America and the world sees and knows of his history. It's because I witnessed what I can only describe as a bizarre turn of events that thrust him into position to even become a U.S. senator. The early Democratic front-runner imploded because of a divorce scandal. Another Democrat ran out of money. Obama suddenly had a clear shot. But, he faced a formidable and very wealthy ivy-league, Republican opponent. And only in a Hollywood-like plot twist, he too dropped out because of a divorce scandal. And if all that wasn't enough, the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention one month later completely set him up to seal the deal.

It's at this point in Barack Obama's story where the masses began to take notice. Consider this, the very same story repeating itself on the national stage during Obama's run for the presidency. The characters, the challenges, the scandals have different names, but the storyline and the plot are the same. And the moral of the entire thing is that it's really not about Barack Obama the man. It's about what he represents for all of us--that anything is possible, even for Black men in the age of President Obama.

Don Lemon is anchor for CNN Newsroom. For more on "Black Men in the Age of President Obama," log on to CNN.com.

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I'd like to offer a proposal that influential Black men & women could tackle to improve the collective lives of Black America. It is a unique reparations proposal that would be supported by all America - guaranteed, pay 5 times more that what current proposal advocate for and help strengthen the Black family. Check out by idea at www.blackeconomicreparations.blogspot.com

Demetrius B Stevenson , November 11, 2009 5:55 PM

After watching the panel about the Black Men in the Age of President Obama, I've failed to realize is why so many people are using Pres Obama as a crutch to their lame excuses. There is no reason for any man not to be a "good" father to their kids; they didn't ask to be here.

So I assume DJ Drama was a deadbeat, a shithead father? He neglected his kids and treated their mother like trash? So what now? You now throw them a check and still treat their mother like trash?

It's sad that men are wanting props and giving props to Obama for doing something that they're suppose to do as men. I lost all respect for this dude and some of the people on the panel. I feel offended and insulted as a struggling single father.

I take it that more African Americas are going to start getting married, instead of just creating baby mothers? If so, why did it take Obama to do this? Obama inspired Farrah Gray to all the sudden wanting to be married and have kids? Like really, are you serious? Mind you , this was a man that didn't want to get married and procreate to continue his legacy. What did he want before?

But all the sudden, people are having life changing moments due to a man that sitting in DC in which no one can get within his vision.

Dr. Perry was the only one who had a sense of self- reliance on that panel. Being that I've set an example as an African-American father, shouldn't my picture be right up there next to Barack's? Where the logic behind that?

Amazing how a grown man being a role model to another grown man. I thought role models are people you know, and have had a personal effect on your life.

People we need to wake up. Stand up and take accountability for your actions. Be what Allah has blessed us to be.

mrblackman , November 04, 2009 11:12 AM

Don.... u r just sooo... cute! Everytime I see u on CNN in the evening I just blush.

I Luv Essence , November 04, 2009 2:02 AM

D grade given. Don, gay issues require a gay representative- always. Your panel's gay chat was like 5 Whte guys talking about being black in America. Don, you can do much better. Couldn't you've called up Keith Boykin or somebody!

Finally, the DL sensationalization BS was NOT cute. Don, a gay rep. on your panel would've informed you that "Heterosexual black men with multiple sex partners ( NOT bisexual men who secretly have sex with men) are responsible for high rates of HIV among black women, according to a senior CDC official."

the pulpit , November 03, 2009 6:52 PM

The article is very typical of the writing you'll see for web articles. No depth, just mostly opinions. Maybe this is why folks are not buying newspapers and magazines anymore. Why spend the money.

roll , November 02, 2009 2:40 PM

After 1 year in office, I think that President Obama has had an impact of the Black men in America. They look at how he is with his wife and kids, and would like to mirror that image with their family. As far as being President, I think we, as Black people, are now being included in more decision making policies than before he came to the Presidency. We still have a lot of "in-fighting" going on up on Capital Hill. They are being awfully hard on the man, but hey, we knew this would happen, right????? I think we should continue to pray for President Obama and his family. They have a long way to go.

Kizzy , November 02, 2009 9:07 AM

Excuse me again. I went to the CNN site and there was a bit more information pertaining to the article, I was just expecting more specifics on how Black men have changed in the "Age of Obama".

sonja , November 01, 2009 4:57 PM

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