I got Obama's books from our local library about a week ago. At the time it felt a little like a school assignment. I picked them up mostly because I thought I should read them, not so much because I thought I would enjoy them.
I started reading Dreams of My Father and am pleasantly surprised. I thought the book would be bland, but I am really enjoying it. I am not even half way through so I can't comment on the second half of the book, but so far, it is a very interesting personal memoir. It is surprising to me (maybe I am naive) how much of Obama's time and thoughts were focused on race issues as a young man. I thought he would be less sensitive because he was raised by his white mother and grandparents. Obama's memories of his struggles with race are multi-layered, complex and honest. The book was published in 1995 (when he was young thirties). I hope he doesn't lose his sincerity in his current political role.
I find the book enlightening and a little disconcerting because 1- I have a hispanic daughter who is growing up in a white family and I don't want her to feel confused about where she belongs like Barack did as a adolescent 2- and I say this with the upmost respect and acknowledgement that we are still affected in some ways by racism, but sometimes it makes me weary to think we still haven't gotten past it. We have so many other things to fix. It would be so great to be done with it. Maybe having an African American family in the white house will help.
Anyway, a good read, no matter which way you vote.
