This evening, I spoke with Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz about the tragedy in Arizona.
In advance of President Obama's appearance at Wednesday's memorial in Tucson, I asked the congresswoman about the president's opportunity to use this moment to talk about the lack of civility in our public discourse.
The full conversation airs tonight on PBS.
I find it ironic that the first black president can't seem to be seen too often around a crowd with more than 50% black people. He can't even hardly ever mention the black community.
Tavis and blacks who occasionally criticize Obama about this realize that he is probably being advised (by mostly whites, probably) to stay away from race and that this is not unusual for blacks in powerful positions in mostly white institutions.
However, just because the president is black does not mean that blacks have to accept or remain quiet about things that they disapprove of in the performance of his job...especially as it relates to the black community.
Isn't it president Obama who sometimes tells black people to challenge each other and hold each other accountable? Well, if it's good for other blacks, why shouldn't it be good enough for him to be held accountable...or is the president above all reproach?
On that note, the president always seems willing to address black issues when talking about the negative, but he rarely seems willing to participate or engage in positive discourse or fora involving black people. Just my observation.
Please don't impugn every black critic of Obama as being a "hater." My brother's keeper means that you want the best for your brother...brotha.
She's passionate, outspoken and quite straightforward, sure but she's a very decent and well-behaved politician, quite appreciated by her constituents.
And others. :)
However look at how cartoonish the Wall Street/City of London bail outs were, the outrageous bonuses on the back of precious taxpayer money, the MASSIVE AUSTERITY CUTS to the states.
Come to find out that because of austerity cuts to mental health services in Tucson, this incident my demonstrate how something like this could slip through the cracks.