The Kos Kidz see Barack Obama as a pioneer, challenging outmoded concepts like “patriotism” and “pride in America:” Daily Kos: Cookies, Pride, and Farrakhan: Challenging Apple Pie Memes.

Given the way America has treated African Americans throughout much of its history, there are some damn good reasons not to feel a whole lot of pride until recently. It would be nice if, as a nation, we could face the fact that some of our citizens might have some ambivalent feelings about their “American Experience” and we should learn and respect their journey. Unfortunately, it appears we are not going to have that discussion either.

There are other clashes looming between the traditional 1950’s memes and the experience of black America. There is the dust up concerning Obama’s endorsement by Louis Farrakhan and his membership in a self-described “Afrocentric” church. Farrakhan is a one-dimensional figure to most of white America, based on his past inflammatory and anti-Semitic statements. In the African American community, however, he has some respect for what is perceived as his refusal to temper his words or back down in the face of white condemnation. …

We are going to see a war waged by the right wing against Obama, using the traditional memes as a framework. It will be a test to see if Americans have matured at all in recent years and a test in Obama’s ability to maintain the universal appeal he has developed so far.

Most likely the Obamas will serve as transitional figures, having to suppress some of their background in order to remain within the current expectations. If Obama is able to win the Presidency, perhaps our nation will grow stronger and more diverse as their experiences help move us a little farther from “Baseball, Mom, and Apple Pie.”