We Deserve More Than A Symbolic President
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.
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The question is what are the opportunities from the Presidlent's side. I agree with you that we all have to do our part.
I just found this great article today by Sylvester Brown Jr. at STLToday.c
He talks about the message coming from people like Tavis Smiley about accountability, and that while it's important to hold President Obama accountable, at the same time community and political leaders have to understand that they play a critical role in helping to improve the Black community, that Obama can't do it all by himself. This has to be a team effort. He isn't the Savior of Black America and he shouldn't be. We can save ourselves if we take advantage of whatever opportunities are provided while he is in office, such as better schools in our communities, better health care, job opportunities, etc. Black "leaders" like Tavis should spend less time complaining that Obama isn't sucking up to them, and more time figuring out how to work WITH Obama to help improve the state of the community that they claim to care so much about.
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Get real! While we expect any president to be accountable to ALL the people, somehow, I suspect too many folks think Obama's a magician. He cannot do everything at once and please everyone at the same time. Remember he's only been in the job for two months and weighted down with the biggest mess any president has inherited! Give me (him) a break!
WE know he is not a magician. In a short time, two months, trillions of dollars have moved out of the White House. My article is valid and raises pertinent points.
Mr. Rogers wrote:
"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."
Actually, "we" did not support him right away. "We", supported Hillary because of Bill (well, not me, I hadn't committed my support to either of them until Hill and Bill began playing the race card lol). Is Obama really being "passive aggressive" toward the Black community? Or is it that he's not approaching issues of racial inequality the way that you (and others) would like him to? Is this a case of "if you're not doing it the way I would have done it, then that means you don't care about the Black community"? If so, is that really fair?
And let’s not forget about the debate among many in the Black community in the beginning of the presidential election about whether Obama was “Black enough” . This debate preventing many from supporting him early on.
I agree that, as African Americans, we should not be afraid to hold President Obama (and other Black politicians) accountable. However, I'm inclined to believe that some people, particularly some of the Black "leaders" and "intellectuals", are only saying these things because they're miffed about not getting a "piece of the pie", that it's less about the Black community and more about them and what they can get out of a situation. Tavis Smiley is a prime example of this. He wanted Obama to come to "his" event to announce his candidacy for President. Obama didn't show up, and since then he's been trying to discredit Obama, especially where Black people are concerned. WhenTavis has the guts to speak out about the NAACP's lawsuit against Wells Fargo bank (the same bank that sponsored this year's State of the Black Union), then I'll listen to what he has to say about holding people "accountable". Until then, he's just a big hypocrite to me.
typo: prevented not preventing
There were some of the "We" who supported early. That is the we referrred to. The early We supporters convinced some of the late comers. Yes, it is fair.
No, actually criticism as harsh as Steven Rogers' is not "fair" when the man hasn't even been in office for 100 days. Even so, he's already been declared a "traitor" to the Black community by a few people (like Stevens) who are probably talking mainly out of spite because Obama did not nominate them for any position in his administration.
I don't hear any of the grass roots in the Black community complaining. It is you "leaders" who think you've been shown up.
Furthermore he is targeting the Black community.
Pay attention to what he is doing for schools and job training, who do you think will benefit from this? We lag behind on every health indicator, access to health care is an important step.
Have you heard of the office of urban affairs? It was created solely to deal with inner city poverty.
Obama's focus is on lifting the underclass as it should be, not giving face time to "leaders".
The Black middle class is doing fine, I don't think a token appointment will help or hurt you.
Let him do his job and judge the result.
Oh, he's got some enemies in the "grass roots" or the "liberal/p
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I do hear the grass roots, which was the stimulus for the article. The black middle class is not dong fine. I don't want an appointment, token or otherwise. I was judging his results.
While issues still exist for the black communtiy, that Obama must consider himself as an "in" for the black community seems off base.
Affirmative action switching to an economic rather than race component shouldn't be a travesty to the black community? Those feeling the stigma of racism resulting in lack of success economically would still benefit. Also, in regards to ministers, there are many who do good work, but there is also an element in this community who are insane. The minister that still calls Obama a "pimp" and a "mack daddy?" Or even his own minister who all but derailed Obama's campaign - he should be pandering to them?
Lincoln was no abolitionist, and his eventual action in regard to emancipation were as calculated and political as you can find.
Your model for the presidency is Bush and TX's largesse? One of the major failing points of Bush were paybacks to croneys despite corruption
Obama has plenty on his plate to even survive this first term. Getting elected was a success, pulling us out of the economic disaster and 2 wars will be a success, and a miracle. Let's not add righting the wrongs of over 200 years to his plate. What you consider snubbing was a black candidate showing that he intended to be a President for all the people that elected him. If he had done otherwise, he would not be President. I would cut him some slack.
My model is absolutely not BUSh. We did not ask for a right of a 200 year wrong. Keep cutting slack and once again "we" will be forgotten.
Speaking as an African-American, one of the things I don't want from the Obama Administration is a "Token" Administration where blacks are put in top positions for the sake of appearances. I don't believe for one second that President Obama deliberately, ignored, snubbed or stepped over blacks to hire whites. I believe that he put people in top positions who he felt can get the job done, they just happen to be white.
Professor Rogers, although well meaning, his views come from small thinking. He is missing the big picture. Right now, blacks and whites and other ethnic groups are all in the same boat. We are ALL losing our jobs, our homes, our savings, etc. and for us to expect President Obama to pay special attention to our needs is ridiculous. Had Obama ran his campaign on an urban/black agenda, he would not have won. Not only that, it was whites and other ethnic groups who helped bring him over the top.
Throughout his campaign, Obama has talked about personal and mutual responsibility. We ALL have a responsibility to pursue every opportunity that comes along. How many black designers made a dress or a gown for Mrs. Obama and gave it to her to wear on a special occasion? If black companies want some of the stimulus, they need to do what other companies do - Lobby like crazy for it.
We blacks need to stop complaining and being so presumptuous.
Is this woman serious...
Well said Ms Wilson!
As a bi-racial woman and huge supporter of social justice for all the author's perspective FRUSTRATES me. President Obama garnered black support because he campaigned for it; early on most blacks were Clinton supporters out of past loyalty.It was speculated that he would not win the nomination due to huge Clinton support among Blacks. This turned out to be false due to the hard work of the Obama campaign and capitalizing on situations that served to help his message resonate with people. Not until his Iowa win did a majority of the black community began to support President--then candidate--Obama; until that time they treated his bid as lofty but desitined to fail just as others before him.The perspective that he does not do enough for Blacks and he does not walk around all Black Power fisted is bothersome and insulting OUR collective accomplishment in electing him president. Let's give him a chance and quit acting victimized! My father told me that I would have to work double to succeed in my country, he may have been right--I know that was the case in his generation--but I worked double hard anyway. There is still work to be done regarding unconscious, institutional racism in our country--however if my ethnic group would understand that until then they may well need to work double they will be able to help themselves in spite of and despite the racial bias they may encounter.
You are ever so right, there is still much work to be done.
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