Has The First Black President Failed The Black Community?......

[global1]

I hesitate to ask this question because I'm a big advocate of President Obama - but - I recall the pride and joy in the country in the black community when he was first elected. There was hope and change mantra that I think the black community had tied their destiny to that supercharged their community and the thought that they would finally be lifted from the problems they faced on a day to day basis. Wow - they now had an advocate in the White House.

Here we are almost seven years later and they face the same problems - even though the President pulled us out of the abyss of economic disaster and worked to bring unemployment down. But did it benefit the black communities whose support helped put the President in the White House? I think not. Case in point the frustration we witnessed last night as we watch the events unfold in Baltimore.

This is not just a Baltimore problem - but a problem that is prevalent all across this nation.

The President has about a year and a half left in his presidency - he can still do something to help the black community. The climate is right at this point to effect some change. It is up to him now to lead this effort as it will help not only the black community - but the overall climate in the whole country.

There needs to be an effort to rebuild these communities and put the people in the people of these communities in jobs. I posted earlier today about an idea I had regarding initiating a program I called the Urban Civilian Conservation Corps model after the CCC's of the 30's/early 40's that was part of FDR's New Deal.

Look in the greatest threads for that post earlier today. Upon edit here's the link to that post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026580889

I don't know and I don't think the TPP that he is supporting will contribute here and given the events of last night he might need to re-think it.

Again - I support this President in just about everything he does but I think this is one area where he either failed or just hasn't addressed yet. I'm hoping that in the time he has left in the White House that he will make some bold moves to help change things.

Notice in that last sentence - I still cling to 'hope and change'.

[gollygee]

1. Wow, he couldn't personally and individually end centuries of oppression in 6.5 years.

He's obviously a complete failure.



(/sarcasm)

[global1]

3. Come On Now - Did I Say A Complete Failure....

No I didn't. There are solutions to this problem. We and he needs to start somewhere.

Listen to what the President is saying just now as we speak. He's on top of the issues - now we as a country need to do something about this - with his help and leadership.

[qwlauren35]

4. Things he could have done:

Fight the prison industry.
Pardon drug offenders. (Happening).
Help create jobs in disadvantaged black communities - very difficult.
Address police brutality and profiling (way too late)

He's had his hands full, but these are the types of things it would have been nice to see.

[qwlauren35]

2. Backlash

As soon as we elected a black president, the Tea Party emerged, and racists came out of the woodwork. Did he fail the black community? Yes. Is there still time to work a 9th inning miracle? Yes.

We shall see.

[malaise]

5. How is he responsible for decades of institutional racism

Listen carefully to what he is saying as I type - this is very well said.

[global1]

7. He Has The Solutions And Right Now In These Last Years Of His Presidency He.....

needs our help.

[The Second Stone]

6. He is the man he is. He showed us that a black man can do the job

with dignity and competence. He did not make race relations a policy priority and centerpiece because that would have been a failure to show that a black man can do the job with dignity and competence without putting his personal desires for justice in one area (and it is a damn big area) in front of all the other duties. I'm a white man, and I wept with joy (actually wept) when Obama was elected. I didn't think I'd live long enough to see this very racist country do that.

Racial justice is a struggle that will continue throughout our lifetimes, and there may be setbacks. New laws can be repealed. But Obama's example cannot be repealed. He was competent at saving the economy and restoring America's honor. By doing so, he made his racist enemies look worse than stereotyped corrupt movie sheriffs.

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. With his help and guidance is fine, but

it all boils down all members of the black community making the effort to improve things a top proirity.

(I hope I've worded that so as not to make it sound offensive).

One image that particurlarly struck me last night was a grey Honda minivan pulling up to a store which was being looted and two kids with huge trash bags emerging from the side doors and heading inside to score some booty. What kind of parent ferries their kids to a crime scene to do something like this?

[global1]

9. What Makes You Think That It Was A Parent Driving That Car?.....

I saw that too and was appalled by it - but in no way did I think it was a parent driving their kid to do the dirty work. That's a bit over the top I believe.

What I was surprised about is that all through the night as I watch the cable news coverage there were cars driving in and around this neighborhood and not all of them were police.

I was wondering why a perimeter wasn't set up to prevent cars from entering this community and why the police didn't stop cars from driving in the community.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Well,

a Honda Odyssey driven by an adult.

The point is the kids were being used by grown-ups to train as THIEVES.

Nice example to set for the young-uns.

[Rex]

10. Would any kind of restitution have taken place in Ferguson without Eric Holder getting involved?

I think he has made a huge impact. Just the fact alone that he reminds people everyday they see him, that dreams do come true for everyone. It is possible despite what our throw-away culture says on TV. That a person can prove they can achieve great things in their lifetime. The POTUS has done such things and is a black man. Deal with it (IE America), reality just woke up and said social equity is possible. Obama has worked hard on many social issues that would have never met change at anyone else's hand.

He's tried to make peace with Cuba and Iran, those two issues alone set him way apart in by book. He has tried to maintain some semblance of world order, despite many calls to escalate tensions with Russia...that seems to be one step away from turning back into the USSR.

So NO...not only do I NOT think he has failed the black community, but I think he has helped save the lives of ALL the people on the planet! There are many that die from robot death machines, maybe he fails those that leave children behind in Pakistan and other drone friendly countries...he is not a saint. No person is a saint.

I do think when we look at the 8 year aggregate, we see a man that has done far more good for black men and women as well as white men and women and all other humans in America and on the planet earth.

Notice there has been some change here and we need to hope that the GOP doesn't literally fly to Iran and flip them the bird. Or repeal the ACA or overturn any social rights that we enjoy, because they suck as human beings.

You don't need to give me a disclaimer that you support the POTUS...fuck shallow people that will just judge you on one or two posts alone or maybe if someone had a bad day...

Fuck em...I think almost everyone on this website supports the POTUS.

Those that don't...well where did all the town criers about Obama bashing go? They seem to have disappeared along with the bashers.

[JaneyVee]

12. He's President of America, not just Black Americans.

If anyone should be blamed for failure it should be the political party that allows KKK, NeoNazi's, and Confederates in their ranks without condemnation.

[Mr Dixon]

13. SMH

I hope this topic stays up i have to go home now