(CNN) - Sen. Barack Obama's speech Monday night to the NAACP will mark a historic first: an African-American presidential nominee of a major party will be addressing the nation's oldest civil rights organization.
The speech by the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee in Cincinnati will also highlight a new generation of black leadership forged not in the civil rights battles of '60s and '70s, but during subsequent decades in which many African-Americans made great strides culturally, politically and economically, but many more remained economically disadvantaged.
Watch: Obama talks about personal responsibility
Obama himself - the son of a black father and a white mother - has acknowledged that his candidacy is in large part due to the struggles of previous generations of black leaders. But he has avoided being labeled an African-American candidate, saying he wants to appeal to all racial and ethnic groups. That has led some to question whether Obama is focusing enough on the needs of the black community.
The generational divide was in full display last week when the Rev. Jesse Jackson, an African-American leader who has long held a place on the American political stage, expressed his frustration with Obama in a comment after an interview on Fox News.
From CNN Politics
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other Black leaders and he and his family were no where to be found during the Civil rights movement. He can make all the speeches he wants he still has no experience and does not identify with Black community and the Chicanos that fought the battles in the 60's and 70's. McLaughlin said it right.... we view him as an Oreo. Black on the outside and white in the inside.
Obama has never played race card to win votes and that impressed me from the start. I will make sure we have him as our next president!
How dare you yanks tell the rest of the world how to live when you are the invaders and inforcers.
Look at these comments. Poeple don't you have eny pride. I am watching from outside the USA and am glad cuz no matter how bad my Gov. is and how much I hate Harper , I think I'll kiss his a– with gratitude for not being american
I feel sorry for you poeple that dont think like these on the blogs and also cnn for allowing these comments of hate and intolarance. I hope my cousins are watching and by the way, they are vets
I enjoy listening to Obama all the time. I usually go back and read his speeches on his website and I can never have enough of them.
He will make a wonderful President!
To RB TX: get a life!!! " he has avoided being labeled the black candidate." Well someone forgot to tell you guys, how long is the "Oreo" story going to be the Top story?
Uneducated people don't know anything about speeches. No wonder America will always be behind. If you have been captured by Obama and his well delivered speeches, then you will never waver to listen to him. What a wonderful politician American has been given in time!
Go Obama!
I hope he doesn't talk down to them.
Enough with the "he's too black" or the "he's not black enough" stuff. He is a bi-racial person, which tells me he is the perfect one to help breach the gap between both races and bring us closer together. He is the first candidate to come along since John Kennedy that has the ability to inspire the American people to strive for things once thought impossible. We need him, and we need him now.
Lisa ........No more speeches.........You need to get up off of MR Obama........If Mr Obama says Hi you will say he should've said hello........give him a break already .........Help HRC with her DEBT !!!!
Not too Black. Not too white. Just right. Rock Obama will be a President for all of America to be Proud of.
Why can't we just be Americans, period. As I see it, we all want the same things. A great country to live in. A job. A house. A nd make a better life for our children. The terms black America or white America should not be used. We should all be one. We all want the same things. Let's just get it done.
Look white men leave their families with no support. So does every race. This is a national problem. Girls getting pregnant. Also a national problem. We need to get this country back on its feet. For once lets get together and get the right person in office and put this country back on the map as the greatest country in the world.
Always make use of your gift. Obama has a talent of making a speech and those he delivers to listens.
I admire him and I 'ope he will be our next president!
What a gift to America!
You'll think ignorant racist comments if that racist is elected! Pander to all the black groups, NOBAMA. Why waste your time? You already have their votes because they are the ones that are soooo racist. Those of us making informed decisions are called racist because we are smarter! Racism wouldn't be alive today if the Black people didn't practice it it so much.
The Name 'America' will be born again when Obama is elected the President of the United States of America. Americans will travel all over the world again loved and admired and not hated. The reign of Obama will bring peace and credibility to Americans not despised. It is better to be loved than to be feared! It will be well with you, Obama!
This should be interesting... more air... and no subtance.
Unity and Change
Obama has my vote no matter what!!
LISA
sounds to me you are very racisit why dont you come clean and your post are stupid
Enough with the non-intelligent comments. Let's raise the debate. If you are REAL concerns voice them so we can discuss them. Just type that he hate the "black guy" or he beat "our girl" is getting a little old.
No country for Old men just won an ward!
Why not run a magizne cover with screaming and flesh burning women and children with Mcwar singing in his jet, dropping Napalm. He could be singing bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran. This would be an outrage to the GOP right wing rethuglicans.
Powerful, personal, and an understanding of the true goals of the Constitution...we need someone who remembers why we have a Constitution after the eight years we have experienced..........................
And? What is he going to do about the stock market, the FHA and Fannie Mae? This election is too important to get bogged down in symbolism. I think that is all some people are concerned about, Obama being both black and white is supposed to have some healing affect on the country and makes him the only person who can unite the country. Give me a break! BTW, I am African-American.
BO is a disgrace.
I'm a Hillary supporter and will stay that way till I get convinced Obama will pick her as a vp!