Obama and the Politics of “Being Above Race”
On Tavis Smiley’s radio show, guest Ashley Etienne, who worked closely with Barack Obama, shared revealing insights into his presidency. She alleges that Obama’s team consciously sought to position Barack Obama as “above race,” a mindset that shaped both his decisions and how his administration approached racial issues.
Etienne highlighted a striking example: Nas, one of the greatest rappers of all time, wanted to perform his song about a Black president at Norfolk State University, but allegedly, Obama’s staff did not want him to perform it. This reflected a broader reluctance to engage with Black cultural expressions unless politically advantageous. People around Obama allegedly avoided associating him with Blackness, creating a deliberate distance from issues central to the Black community.
According to Ashley, This disconnection became especially apparent after the death of Michael Brown. Efforts to allegedly draw Obama’s attention to the tragedy were met with resistance, largely due to the influence of his inner circle. The administration’s approach demonstrated the belief that Obama could transcend race, but in practice, it often meant avoiding matters deeply affecting Black Americans.
Tavis Smiley noted that Obama’s engagement with Black culture was conditional: when it served a political purpose, he embraced it; otherwise, he kept it at arm’s length. Etienne’s behind-the-scenes perspective provides a rare look at how a president’s philosophy on race can influence policy, communication, and public perception.
For Obama, the principle of being “above race” defined his presidency, shaping both his legacy and the broader conversation about leadership, identity, and accountability in the highest office.
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