DISQUS

Constructive_Feedback · 1 month ago

Janet:

These are Black leftists seeking to draw Barack Obama further to the left. Obama is a "Democratic Establishment Leftist". This group is what I call "Black Untethered Radical Leftists".

Their goal is NOT to take Obama down. This does not serve their interests as it would allow a right wing Republican to take his place. Their goal is only to let their presence be known and demand that Obama pay them so attention.

I assure you that the monopoly majority of them voted for Obama and that they will be making a return trip in 2012.

Their main weakness is the fact that they have failed to construct a viable local set of organizations WITHIN the Black community to which our community can turn to for our key resources. Instead they seek to nationalize their entitlements and thus have a vested interest in having Obama follow their lead. They say nothing about the members of the same machine which Obama sits upon that are failing them locally - in their schools, in their mayors offices, etc.

Janet Shan · 1 month ago

Constructive Feedback -- I never thought of it in that manner, but your analysis is on point. What I find amazing is that it is obvious that they have no viable exit strategy for the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq. The reality is that President Obama certainly won't follow their lead.

Horatio · 1 month ago

Janet. You missed the message of the march completely. Please do your homework. http://blackisbackcoalition.org/about.shtml

I feel that your summation of the event is an effort to marginalize the Black Is Back message. I don't feel a need to analyze your motivations for doing so. I just believe that you can find more common ground with the messages of the march if you bother to research the website with an honest and open mind.

Janet Shan · 1 month ago

Horatio -- I am not Constructive Feedback. Still, I have to ask, exactly
what is the agenda of this group? Why don't you air some of your grievances
to your local officials? Since when is President Obama's mission supposed to
be only for black America?

SjP · 1 month ago

Wonder if Baron and Yeshitela are trying to get interviewed by Hannity an O'reilly? Gotta go check the listings to see when they'll appear....

Janet Shan · 1 month ago

SJP -- Yes, I am sure Hannity and Glenn Beck will be booking them for their shows sooner rather than later. Nothing pleases them more than to see infighting among us.

msladydeborah · 1 month ago

Janet,

I have to agree with a point that Constructive Feedback raised Their main weakness is the fact that they have failed to construct a viable local set of organizations WITHIN the Black community to which our community can turn to for our key resources. Instead they seek to nationalize their entitlements and thus have a vested interest in having Obama follow their lead. They say nothing about the members of the same machine which Obama sits upon that are failing them locally - in their schools, in their mayors offices, etc.

I pointed out throughout the stump that we as a block of people were not really prepared to support our own agenda. That is true in too many of our communities. We have too many folks who are not willing to flip the script on their mindsets about being self-sufficient. Or making demands on the local levels of government. Because in reality that level of governing directly impacts our lives. I am not pro always approaching the Federal Government for my concerns. Some of what I am interested in is not under Obama's jurisdiction.

pelmo · 1 month ago

Msladydeborah hits the nail on the head when she says that you are being short changed by the machine which Obama sits on as the head. The Democrats take the black vote for granted. Why should they deliver, when they know no matter what, they will get that vote.

Look how quickly Obama stopped campaiging in the black community, once he was assured of a large black turn out. Republicans don't even bother, knowing they are wasting their time. So you loose from both sides. One is not going to give you anything because you didn't vote for them. The other doesn't have to deliver because they have your vote sewed up.

The next time there is an election, surprise them and vote Republican. If it's a white person against a black, vote for the white person. Just maybe, once your vote isn't taken for granted, they will have to deliver to get the vote.

To the surprise of many in Chicago, one white alderman kept getting re-elected, even when the ward turned predominatly black. The reason given, he worked hard to deliver services equally for everyone in the ward. Now people are kicking themselves, because they voted for the old It's time a black man ran this ward.

We have to vote for people who are the most qualified, not because of their party, race, religion and whatever else.

Janet Shan · 1 month ago

Pelmo -- I agree with you that the black vote has been taken for granted by
the Democrats and the President to some degree. I don't believe that Barack
Obama is the cure-all for all the ills that confront the black community.
Much of the issues should be approached from the local level. The elected
officials only show up in the inner city communities when they are up for
election or reelection. I agree that black voters should not feel compelled
to vote Democrat every time there is an election. They need to have their
voices heard and their votes actively sought by the political parties.

The Republican Party took the Hispanic vote for granted in the last election
and look what happened. They voted in overwhelming numbers for Barack Obama.
You are correct, we have to vote for the people who are most qualified and
not based on the color of one's skin. I would venture to say that many
African Americans voted for Barack Obama with no clue where he stood on the
issues.

Janet

Steve · 1 month ago

As a self-described centrist, it would be impossible for you to unite with the demands of the Black Is Back march. This march isn't an attempt to cajole the American president into helping the poor black people. This march is led by proud Africans who recognize that true freedom is won not given. The march is anti-imperialist which automatically makes it un-American. You are a centrist and the march was revolutionary. These are irreconcilable world views which your blog critique does not even address.

Janet Shan · 1 month ago

Steve -- From the story written by AFP, it would seem that the march focused
on the "perception" that President Obama wasn't doing enough for blacks in
this country. Why would he be called "white power in black face?" It would
seem that is a little hypocritical using the term blackface when most blacks
scream racism when someone white appears in such a costume. Being centrist
has nothing to do with having common sense. I would have had no issue if
this group protested on the issues -- high unemployment, high foreclosure
rates, lack of educational parity with other countries, etc. But no, they
are going after President Obama for petty reasons. Do you realize that he
has been in office for less than a year?

I am an African American who embraces the value of a solid education, hard
work, strong work ethics and yes, I don't look to the government to solve my
problems. So, I guess, in your world, I am un-American. This world view
isn't nearly as irreconcilable as you claim.

I wonder, are these same people staging protests in front of their local
representatives' offices? I would venture to say that is a good starting
place. What strategy are they suggesting to end the war in Iraq and
Afghanistan? Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows "if you break it,
you own it." That's the predicament America has found itself in. And where
were they went President Bush sent our men and women in harm's way? Did they
stage a protest in front of the White House?

Janet Shan