The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress

by Jelani Cobb

A trenchant and timeless examination of the still-contested meanings of President Barack Obama's election, from a preeminent scholar of race, politics, and American history-with a new introduction by the author.

When voters in 2008 chose the United States' first black president, some Americans hailed the event as a sign that the nation had, at long last, transcended its bloody history of racial inequality. Obama's victory was indescribably momentous, but if the intervening years proved anything, it is that we never leave history entirely behind. Indeed, this may be the ultimate lesson of the Obama era.

First published in 2010, The Substance of Hope is acclaimed historian Jelani Cobb's meditation on what Obama's election represented, an insightful investigation into the civil rights movement forces that helped produce it, and a prescient inquiry into how American society does-and does not-change. In penetrating, elegant prose, Cobb teases apart the paradoxes embodied in race and patriotism, identity and citizenship, progress and legacy.

Now reissued with a new introduction by the author, reflecting on how the seismic impact of the Obama presidency continues to shape America, The Substance of Hope is an indelible work of history and cultural criticism from one of our most singular voices.

224 pages, Paperback

Published October 13, 2020

About the author

Also writes as William Jelani Cobb.

Reviews

[Vijay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting narrative on the election of Barack. Worth reading if you're trying to understand the psyche behind the black voters and especially from the side of the so-called community leaders. Obama was able to reach across the divide primarily due to his non-focus on the black life plight - a poison pill it seems.

Was he "black" enough, probably not, otherwise there would seem to be a change in the systemic racism that is still in play during and post-Obama era.

This book looks at the issues that Obama faced within his own race and the manner in which he was able to successfully obtain what he needed to win the democratic nomination and as well as the office of the presidency.

A worthwhile read and not long.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A year or so ago, I attended a panel discussion between Evan Osnos, Jill Lepore, and Jelani Cobb on the subject of American history. I was only familiar with Lepore’s writing and opted to read one book each by the other two. It took a while to get to Cobb’s mostly because I am generally reluctant to read about history I lived through, but I am glad I did as Cobb’s focus is on what President Obama means for many people. Cobb wrote most of this book well before Barack Obama left office. As such, Cobb’s focus is on how Obama navigated the 2008 campaign to win the presidency and what that meant for African Americans. Fascinating stuff here. I only wish it was a little longer.