All is not well in River City. In the black community, there is much discussion about President Obama's performance and commitment. It is an honest discussion. On his campaign trail, we saw the civil rights people ignored; we saw ministers disregarded; and we saw Tavis Smiley exiled for raising the question about the absence of a black agenda from the Obama platform.
President Obama represents black America's proudest moment and America's "Aha!" moment. His ratings are high and he still appears to be on the campaign trail with daily major announcements. Recent ratings show he out-polled Jesus! Wait a minute, everybody. Jesus he is not.
Constructive criticisms bear airing. There is only one black cabinet member. Black press has been totally disregarded and black press received little to no advertising from the campaign coffers.
Roland Martin has written a commentary about the lack of diversity within the White House press office. Presently, there is an African American deputy press secretary and a Latino heads up broadcast media. But as Martin says, this is not sufficient. There is discussion on how the rules of Affirmative Action might change from being racial and gender oriented to economically-based. It would be a travesty if the black president eliminated Affirmative Action rather than put teeth in the rulings to make it effective and empowering. That alone, would be a Stimulus Package.
The most rousing censure comes from Steven Rogers who is a professor of entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is premiere in his discipline, sits on many corporate boards and is considered a business guru. His letter has circulated among the early supporters of what I call Day One people of Barack Obama's. His points beg attention and addressing.
Northwestern University Professor Speaks Out
Professor Rogers is from the Englewood community and is also a Harvard University graduate. He asks the question, 'What should the black community expect from President Obama?' His answer is "... (W)e should expect very little, unless he and his advisors have a major change of heart and commitment, as it relates to the black community. It saddens me to say that the new administration has made it clear through their actions, snubs, insults and inactions that President Obama has no plans to do anything special, other than represent the symbol of being the first African American president to help black businesses or the general black community as a whole. Like President Ronald Reagan and the Bush Presidents, President Obama expects the impact of his presidential policies to "trickle down" to the black community. Unless he changes the pattern that he has established of omission and ungratefulness toward the community, who gave him the highest percentage of their vote than any other ethnic or racial group and provided him the "seed capital" for his national political career, it will not be good for the black community or America. The United States of America is strongest when the black community is strong."
Rogers points out that the " . . . federal stimulus package will go to only white-owned companies as has happened under President Bush. Black-owned companies create jobs for minorities, second only to the government."
He further points out that "all of these black entrepreneurs deserve the opportunity to work on behalf of the federal government. He knew who these black business owners were when he needed money." On government appointments, Rogers point out that "it is no different than President Bush. His highest-ranking cabinet appointees include the same number of blacks as President Bush appointed. Furthermore, he has continued the age-old tradition of excluding blacks from top leadership positions involving commerce. No black was seemingly even considered, or ultimately selected, to serve in any of those positions, including the Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Commerce or Chairman of the Securities Exchange Commission or Small business Administration.
Comparing Obama's Behavior to Lincoln's Rogers says, "Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery. President Obama is not going to do anything special for the black community. In fact, if he needs to prove to the country that he is everyone's president, he will speak out against the black community or worse, ignore it.
This passive-aggressive behavior toward the black community is reprehensible and undeserved. What has the African American community done to Obama except love, support and nurture him? When nobody knew who he was, we gave him money for his campaign and to support his family.
"He seemingly is a man with an exceptional short memory and lack of respect for the black community. That must explain why he refuses to mention Dr. King's name in his important speeches."
The Rogers question is weighty, what should the black community expect from its first black president? The answer is what we should expect from every politician that we support and elect. Obama was let off the hook when he didn't have an urban or black agenda, like the other politicians were expected to. Did pride get in the way of reasoning? The administration is in its infancy, but now is the time to speak. The earliest and most faithful Obama supporters are disgruntled. The black community expects a closure in the gaps -- education, employment, housing and business. We expect black fullness in the White House at every level of the administration. We expect to see black faces on the first level of the White House. This is the real measure of the Obama presidency. We expect fulfillment.
The black community desperately wanted you to win and, Mr. Obama, we want to win, too. Texas won with a Bush presidency and so did the oil industry. The black community wants your affinity. We want to grow and for you to understand the issues. Your experience as a community organizer, state and national politician and your record has having the longest-ever campaign provides a unique perspective. Use it.
I hope the president doesn't ever forget those who helped initially. We understand your world has changed, but we want ours to change with yours. Remember how difficult it was to be a working professional with household responsibilities while trying to pay off student loans? Remember? We expect the stimulus money to stimulate our businesses and communities, too.
Rogers ends his essay by stating, "I desperately want President Obama to be successful. Should we as black folks give him a pass? Absolutely not! We are running out of time and cannot afford the luxury of giving a pass to him or any other president. Our communities are dying a slow death. President Obama had the "audacity of hope" to expect big things and the black community should, too. Ironically, longtime television reporter Sam Donaldson, said it best on numerous television shows when he said, 'President Obama owes the black community. He should dance with the people who brought him to the party."
Sadly, it seems that perhaps President Obama wants to attend another party.
The black community deserves much more than symbolism.