There seem to be quite a few thematic parallels between Obama's speech on race and Song of Solomon. In the first place, both the speech and the novel define their audience. Obama says that he wants to create a country in which everyone, regardless of race, can carry out a safe and prosperous life. He emphasizes on this by poiting out the common aspects all human beings share: there are „problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all”. Obama focuses on this topic in even more detail as he explores the specifics of discrimination versus African-Americans. Not only are coloured people treated with disrespect by white people, other African-Americans may also attack their fellows depending on how pure they are: „At various stages in the campaign, some commentators have deemed me either 'too black' or 'not black enough'.” This relates directly to the theme in Song of Solomon about mixed marriges and how the children of such a relationship are never truly accepted into either the society of colored people or the society of whites.
One other aspect in which the novel and speech are similar is regarding both authors' view on travel. In Song of Solomon, Milkman ultimately departs on a journey to find out more about himself. By meeting the same people his ancestors knew and learning about the history of his family, he is able to feel at peace with himself. At the same time, Obama uses the same method to relay his point of view. He doesn't speak so openly and out right about principles and the need to abolish discrimination. Instead, Obama also tells his own story which is a lot like Milkman's: both of them are the children of African-Americans but of white upbringing. However, they can still discover their true selves by undertaking a personal voyage, because, as Obama says, „in chronicling our journey, the stories and songs gave us a means to reclaim memories that we didn't need to feel shame about... memories that all people might study and cherish – and with which we could start to rebuild.” In the end, Obama shifts the focus from a purely black audience to include people of all races. Similarily, Song of Solomon may employ primarily black characters, but the themes it conveys are universal: there can be discrimination within a single race, and anyone could take up a journey to find out more about him/herself.
What I found most peculiar while reading Obama's speech was that it was not like other political speeches I have heard. In most other cases, I lose the train of thought of the author too soon into the text, but reading Obama's thoughts on racial segregation was more or less a breeze. Although I am not an American, nor have I suffered from racial discrimination, I believe to have found a common language with the author. The only racial problem in Bulgaria that I can think of is regarding the gypsies, and Obama seems to offer a very reasonable solution to all such problems. By finding common ground, setting sights on the same goals for the future and uniting in order to achieve them, this is how gypsies can finally be integrated into Bulgarian society. Personally for me this is also important, because I have already had several unpleasant and painful encounters with bands of gypsies. After each such case I wanted to pay back the gypsies for what they had done, but now that I think about it, in light of our acceptance into the EU and all the prospects for the future, it would be immeasurably better to pass all of the forthcoming challenges as one nation. Realizing this has made me more aware of my own position in society, my personal role in making a better future: accepting others, sharing everything with them, working together towards a common goal, and rejoicing with my newly found friends.
