Another school, Another Obama chant....

I was all for it until the "Obama scholar" part. What does that even mean? Do they study Obama? Do they study the same things Obama studies? I don't get it. I love the fact that Obama is a positive role model for young African American men in the United States. This is something I've felt the African American community has needed to show that no matter what color you are, in America, you can do anything. After the institutionalized racism that was in our country for so many years, I thought this was going to be a cultural turning point. Unfortunately, it seems that many people are embracing the man and his radical ideals instead of the outstanding accomplishment he achieved and what it says about the greatness and opportunities available in America. Instead of being a figure of American Exceptionalism and opportunities, Obama has perpetuated American self abasement and the "unfairness" and "lack of opportunities" in America. He had an historical opportunity to bring the country together, and threw it away for partisan, ideological agenda. It makes me very sad. :(

I only read through some of the comments so I hope I'm not repeating anything someone already posted but that is so wrong. Obama is not an idol to be worshiped by our children. They take God out of the schools but this is okay? It gave me the creeps and made me think of Hitler's Youth.

THis isnt a good thing to teach our young ones didnt it say in there something about cheating???? Boy if they think he is one to follow they are saddly mistaken what about Abe Lincoln or JFK to follow even JOhn Wayne would be better hoppy roy rogers they all stood for America and the right way to live!

wow what a chant. I agree the positive motivation in the chant was good. But I have no idea what an Obama scholar is, but I dont think we need more of them. If they would have taken that part out, I could have signed up for it. How about switching that out for unity or some other crap like that!

I am not sure what to think about this myself. I agree with you it does seem a little creepy to me also. It is like he has kids praising him.

I am reminded of a drama I saw where a Neo Nazi was telling of his days as a Hitler Youth and his words were "and Hitler smiled on me." It is not that Obama did this, that he did not accomplish much when he was at school, was not known, it is the principle behind this. To me, when someone says "I am an Obama scholar," I check and see if that is the name of his school. If that is not the name of his school, then it is just idolization of Obama. What of the student;'s work habits? What of his parents or her parents? Did Obama do the work for him? Did Obama pay for it? If the students want to give adoration to the government, why not say "I am a tax payer;'s scholar?" Oh and would they have sung "I am a Roosevelt scholar?" or "I am a Clinton scholar." or "I am a bush scholar?" No. There is danger here of making a man into a god and that is what is happening here.

I agree that that is a very creepy video. I feel very uncomfortable about that sort of 'response' chanting just as I feel uncomfortable about a particular kind of preaching - it reminds me too much of the indoctrination seen in a number of totalitarian regimes. It is to be assumed that those students know the definition of 'an Obama scholar'. I didn't (and I suspect that most here won't either). It seems to be an Arizona State University Scholarship scheme. In the words of an ASU press release: "In recognition of President Obama's commitment to educational access and to an entire career dedicated to public service, ASU is naming and expanding its most important scholarship program in his honor. Going forward, this program will be called the President Barack Obama Scholars and will offer thousands of students with the greatest financial need the opportunity to go to college." ( http://asunews.asu.edu/20090506_obamascholars ) To be honest, there is no indication of where the video was made and there may be other, similar, schemes for disadvantaged kids that have been named for the US President. In response to your last sentences, positive role models are indubitably a good thing. I am not sure that Obama is being held up as a role model here but, if he is, then he does have the distinction of being the first black president (the students and staff in the video are predominantly black); his progress from his rather unremarkable and unpromising family background to President perhaps shows that, in broad terms, anyone can be anything they want to be (which is the main tenor of the chant). Obama is not, perhaps, the world's best public speaker and nor is he noted for his diplomatic acumen when it comes to gifts and the giving of them. I agree, too, that the Nobel prize was a mistake and an embarrassment. I would disagree, however, that he "passes the buck and refuses to take responsibility for anything". You may not agree with the methods used to take responsibility for the economic crisis but you cannot deny that he has taken steps to address it; you may not agree with many of the changes he wants to make to the social structure of America but, for a long time, the United States has been sailing its battleship out of convoy with the rest of the world. No man (or country) is an island and, for all his faults, Obama is seen by the majority of the world to be trying to bring his unwieldy ship into line. Some might say that there could have been a better captain but the fact remains that, of the candidates available, Obama was democratically and constitutionally elected from the candidates available and history will probably see him as a 'man of his time' (just as Churchill, Roosevelt, Thatcher, Kennedy, Wilson and many other leaders are seen to be).

shouldn't they be telling them to be Rhodes Scholars instead of "obama scholars". What is an Obama scholar anyway?

well, i believe an Obama scholar is one who follows in the footsteps of Obama. In terms of achievements,aspirations,academics.....that kind of thing. so which kind of scholar do u really think you are? i guess one should be their own scholar