Reflective Essay: Dreams from my father: A story of race and inheritance

Reflective Essay:

Dreams from my father: A story of race and inheritance

In the memoir ‘Dreams from my father’, Barrack Obama not only explained his African heritage but also revealed how racial variations affected the American society. The book described Obama’s early life, parental care, education, community involvement and the American perception on race. In his quest for development and equity in the society, Barrack Obama stated in the memoir that:

“What is our community, and how might that community be reconciled with our freedom? How far do our obligations reach? How do we transform mere power into justice, mere sentiment into love?” (438).

The first statement in the quotation aims at challenging the reader to think of the relationship between the community and freedom. The author (Mr. Obama) knows that problems are easily solved if the stakeholders have an in-depth understanding of its nature. Hence, by posing the question on how the community can be reconciled with freedom; he intends to initiate a mental revolution among his readers. Even though the publication of this memoir came at a time of greater racial tolerance and civil rights as compared to the 1960’s and 1970’s; the statement intended to re-affirm the importance of freedom in the society.

In the second statement; Obama acknowledges that every individual has an obligation to the community. By posing the question on the extent to which individuals have an obligation to the community; he intends to mentally challenge the readers to evaluate their contributions to the society. To him (Obama), serving as a community development organizer with local churches in Chicago was not his ultimate goal because he yearned for something more. Therefore, his intention was that the readers would not only focus on serving the community in one area but they would also be able to come up with different and better methods of service to the society.

In the last sentence of the quote, Obama explores the relationship between power and justice. He understands that a just system would only be available if those in power are able to respect the rights and freedoms of others regardless of race, ethnicity or family background. The statement therefore intends to indirectly challenge the reader to think of ways in which the society can be transformed to accord justice and equality. In this regards, Obama hints in the statement that greater equity and justice in the society can be accorded through an open minded and unbiased leadership (power).

Moreover, the last sentence quotes the transformation of mere sentiment into love. In the memoir, Obama revealed the difficult childhood he underwent without the presence of his biological father. Due to lack of constant meetings with his father, he couldn’t build a personal relationship with him. The memoir states that, “At the time of his death, my father remained a myth to me, both more and less than a man” (5). Hence, by posing the question on sentiments and love; he hoped that the reader could understand that he (Obama); cherished his racial background regardless of the distance and absence of his biological father.

In conclusion, the quote from Barrack Obama’s memoir “Dreams from my father” aimed at challenging the readers to understand their role in the community, to advocate for equity and freedoms and also to fight for good governance. In general, the quote was intended to bring change to the American society through mental liberation.

Works cited

Obama, Barrack. Dreams from my father: A story of race and inheritance. New York: Broadway books publishers, 2004. Print