On Wednesday, March 12th I joined Guardian journalist Gary Younge and BET Vice President of News and Public Affairs Keith Brown in a discussion of Obama and the media. Dr. Noel Anderson organized and moderated the panel, which included video clips of Gary Younge covering Obama in South Carolina and Jeff Johnson’s BET interview with Obama. The room was packed with the college community and older Brooklyn residents.

Keith Brown said the question he wanted answered by Obama during the BET interview is: “What’s in it for us?” What does an Obama presidency mean to – and for – Black America? He also wondered if the fact that Obama is not entangled in Old Guard Black politics is a good thing.

Gary Younge made an excellent point when he emphasized Obama’s rich background. His US family is from the Midwest, but he lived in Hawaii. He went to Harvard, but he worked in Chicago. Younge said Obama can’t be placed in a specific place like Clinton in Arkansas or Bush in Texas. Younge also offered an international perspective when he explained that there is support for change overseas. In England specifically, he said, there is interest in Obama.

This discussion took place before Rev Jeremiah Wright entered a seemingly endless loop and Obama’s speech today. I will appear on FOX 5 at 5:00 this evening in an exclusive interview with Dari Alexander. Lemme know what you think if you happen to catch the broadcast.