(ThyBlackMan.com) Why do I say this? Why the sea change in attitude? In presenting to you a logical premise of why Tavis Smiley, Dr. Cornel West and many others, including myself could be wrong in our criticism of this president and the way he has conducted his presidency (especially concerning those policies affecting African Americans), there maybe yet some hope of making real progress in addressing double-digit black unemployment. In promoting a plan of job creation, (http://www.sslumpsum.com )which has been my agenda since writing for ThyBlackman.com, my comments regarding this president have never been mean spirited. However, they have been critical. Feeling that something should be done about five years of double-digit black unemployment, which is destroying the very essence of the black community, many of my pieces criticized relentlessly this president’s approach or non-approach in dealing with this issue.
Now, let me lay out before you the premise of why I think many of us could be wrong in our criticism of this president and I will attempt to get to the point as quickly as possible. Let us first examine his policies toward Hispanics and comprehensive immigration reform. Hispanics lobbied President Obama and, in deed, they also lobbied the 42 black members in the House of
Representatives. The Hispanics sponsored marches across this country. There was no question; any one who turned on their television set during that period knew Hispanics as a group wanted the Congress of the United States and President Obama to take up the issue of immigration reform. The White House and Congress responded positively to the Hispanic community’s push. We know this because we recently observed a comprehensive immigration reform bill pass in the Senate. That bill is now being debated in the House of Representatives.
The push for immigration reform included the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other Hispanic political pressure groups, all in pursue of that single objective. Mr. Obama submitted to their wishes concerning comprehensive immigration reform, saying he would like to see such a bill on his desk by the end of the year for his signature. For those of you who do not know, the Congressional Black Caucus is also on board indicating they will vote for such a measure. Such a move will hurt blacks economically; nevertheless, that is the Caucus’ position. (See https://thyblackman.com/2013/07/12/blacks-need-to-wake-up-their-worst-nightmare-is-unfolding/ )
The Gay Movement adopted and employed a similar strategy; they lobbied the White House, held rallies and parades around the country in support of their cause of legalizing gay marriages. They used donations and political pressure groups in pursue of their cause and presto, President Obama responded positively and promoted the rights of gays to marry in face of much opposition in the black community. The move to promote gay marriages did not happen as fast as being suggested here, however, the point being made, is that their strategy to accomplish their objective was similar to that of the Hispanic community.
Now, here comes the black community. They too employed political pressure groups in their cause. They rallied and held marches across the nation and they were very specific in their demand. They demanded that the justice department at the federal level file charges against George Zimmerman for violating the civil rights of Trayvon Martin after the not guilty verdict in a Sanford, Florida courtroom on a Saturday night. President Barack Obama on the following Sunday spoke about the racially charged case, making clear that he accepted the jury’s acquittal of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman in Martin’s death and calling for calm reflection.
It is important to note he did not make an appearance but gave a written statement on that Sunday which said in part, “I know this case has elicited strong passions…” In addition, in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken.” In the meantime, hours following the verdict, Ben Jealous of the NAACP started a petition on line. The petition, received one million signatures by the following Tuesday, within 2 1/2 days of it being posted.
By Thursday, it had amassed well over a million signatures. It was on Thursday according to the media; Mr. Obama spoke to his team in the White House about the need to respond to the trial and the verdict publicly. He appeared on Friday in the news briefing room of the White House and made what is now called his candid speech on race relations in the United States. Prior to that speech, this president had not discussed or mentioned race relations during his presidency except for his actions concerning his Harvard friend Henry Gates back in July of 2009.
There is no criticism being leveled here at this president and his comments concerning race relations in that speech. I am merely stating the facts leading up to his making those comments. Black people made a demand and their political pressure groups responded. Blacks did for the most part the same things the Hispanic and Gay Movement did. They protested, held rallies and additionally went online letting President Obama know how they felt about the issue. President Obama responded by making a public appearance to directly address their concerns! Do you think the one million plus signatures on that petition made a difference? You bet they did! It made not only a difference to Mr. Obama; it made a difference to the Democratic Party. It is a solid indication, blacks are not powerless. Many used the petition as a means to express their position and it was effective.
Therefore, I submit to you, we are wrong in our criticism of this President. The system actually worked! Our problem is not with the system when it comes to getting issues addressed. Namely, I am referring to our issue of high double-digit black unemployment, which currently stands at 13.7% and may go even higher in August. It appears our problem is with “the gatekeepers” to the Obama Presidency, and what they emphasize as issues that need attention. Those “gatekeepers,” who are primarily Ben Jealous of the NAACP, Al Sharpton, Marc Morial of the National Urban League and the Congressional Black Caucus, need to be held accountable!
They are doing our community a disservice by not opening up the issue of double-digit black unemployment and its possible resolutions to the public for discussion. Sure, the issues surrounding the verdict are important and deserve to be addressed. However, job creation is also urgently important.
The problem is, these folks do not have a clue when it comes to how to resolve the issue of job creation and they refuse to allow innovative solutions to come to surface. We, as a community deserve better! Our angst should be turned against them and not against the President of the United States. He responded when called upon, just as he responded to the gay and Hispanic communities. The black community’s problem of high double-digit unemployment is real and the window of opportunity to get something done about it is closing fast, as this president will officially be considered “a lame duck” in approximately 17 months! Please stay tuned and read my next article, which will focus on how to defeat these ineffective gatekeepers!
Staff Writer; James Davis
More information about JD and his Deficit Neutral Stimulus Plan Can be founded at http://www.sslumpsum.com.
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