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by Dr. Boyce Watkins
First lady Michelle Obama, the wonderful, elegant and intelligent woman that I want my daughters to become, gave a speech at the Congressional Black Caucus convention this past week. I’d left the event before seeing Mrs. Obama give her address, but I was quite curious about her remarks. Just like everyone else, I think that Michelle is amazing, and my greatest fantasy is to one day see her run for the office that is now being occupied by her husband. A woman should be allowed to lead our country, and Michelle is second-to-none.
During the speech, Mrs. Obama argued that voting rights are the new sit-ins. According to the first lady, the struggles of the civil rights movement have been replaced by the fight to get a chance to go to the polls and cast your ballot.
“We cannot let anyone discourage us from casting our ballots. We cannot let anyone make us feel unwelcome in the voting booth. It is up to us to make sure that in every election, every voice is heard and every vote is counted,” Obama said in Saturday remarks.
Using language to reference the civil rights struggle of the 1960s, Mrs. Obama further explained the importance of fighting against new voter id laws.
“This is the march of our time — marching door to door, registering people to vote. Marching everyone you know to the polls every single election,” the first lady said. “This is the sit-in of our day — sitting in a phone bank, sitting in your living room, calling everyone you know — your friends, your neighbors, that nephew you haven’t seen in a while, that classmate you haven’t spoken to in years —making sure they all know how to register, where to vote — every year, in every election.”
“It’s about doing everything we can to carry on the legacy that is our inheritance not just as African Americans, but as Americans — as citizens of the greatest country on Earth,” Obama said.
Not that I would be one to disagree with royalty, but I have to openly ask: Would the Obamas be speaking so readily about voting rights if they didn’t expect all of the people in the audience to vote Democratic? I find it interesting and ironic that the same administration that barely uttered the words “poor” or “black” over the last three years are suddenly trying to dig Dr. King out of the ground to use him for a stage prop.
What is also interesting is that when I see the Obamas address other constituencies, I notice that African Americans are the only ones asked to provide labor necessary to fulfill administrative objectives: “March door-to-door,” “take off your bedroom slippers,” “stop complaining,” “get to work.” I’d be just giddy to see anyone who can provide speech text that shows the Obamas speaking to gay, Hispanic or women’s groups in the same way.
I was confronted on the street at the CBC by a man who seemed to believe that I don’t like President Obama. He seemed to feel that by asking the president to speak on the matters of unemployment inequality, mass incarceration and youth violence, I am somehow disturbing a busy man doing an important job. I had to tell the guy (who leaned toward me as if he wanted to fight) that I consider those dying kids in Chicago, DC and other urban areas to be just as important as beautiful little Sasha and Malia. I also tried to help the man understand that the most you owe any politician is your vote. After that, you are supposed to tell him what you want in exchange, similar to an employer who pays you and then tells you to do your job. Even the Obamas would understand that assessment.
The man also asked me if I agreed with WEB Dubois, who actually said that he would not vote, primarily because neither the Democratic nor Republican Party speaks to the issues that affect African Americans. I didn’t hear hardly anything about minorities or the poor at the recent Democratic National Convention, even though they fully expect the black community to line up like little soldiers and give their support without expecting any form of reciprocity.
When the man asked me if I felt that everyone should vote, I said, “Yes, everyone should vote. But they do not have to vote for a Democrat or Republican.” The man then told me that by supporting a third party candidate, I was wasting my vote. I said, “Actually, you’re wasting your vote if you elect a politician and don’t ask for anything in return.”
After that, I really think the dude wanted to knock me out.
So, while I hate being the one throwing a wet blanket on the Juneteenth of the 21st century, I’d like to correct the first lady on behalf of all of the dead kids in her home town of Chicago. The sit-ins of the 20th century don’t just consist of having the right to keep the Obamas and their Harvard cronies in power, that’s a personal choice. The sit-ins should include the fight to get politicians to acknowledge the growing wealth gap between blacks and whites without simply telling black folks that it’s due to their laziness and lack of qualification. The new sit-ins should include rallies held when the Obamas come to Chicago for a fancy wedding (as they did for Valerie Jarrett’s daughter) without saying a word about the dozens of black children who were murdered right down the street from their house. The new sit-ins must include speaking up about how black families have been mutilated by the war on drugs and mass incarceration, as little girls pray for their fathers to come home after being given 150 years in prison for drug distribution.
So, Mrs. President, I humbly say this: If you and Barack want people to march for you, you must also be willing to march for them. Fighting for the black right to vote and fighting for nothing else is little more than thinly-veiled elitist pandering that ignores the real issues being faced by black Americans all over the country. It says that you care more about hanging out at charity events with Jay-Z and Beyonce than doing the work of the people. So, the next time you’re on TV teaching Dr. Oz how to do the Dougie, I hope and pray that you will teach him about how the teenager who created the Dougie song was murdered on his grandmother’s porch.
I love First Lady Michelle Obama and I almost lost my job over her. When Bill O’reilly joked about lynching her during the 2008 campaign, I had a head-to-head confrontation with both O’reilly and my university superiors, who wanted me fired over my controversial remarks. But my love for the first lady also means that I have an obligation to tell the truth, and unfortunately, the truth has now become the enemy.
Let’s hope that the Obamas get it right during the second term. Most importantly, we must all get it right and help the Obamas do their jobs by standing up for what matters to us. Having the right to vote is not the only thing we should be fighting for. We should also be fighting for the right to have a VOICE.
Dr Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of YourBlackWorld.net. He also stars in the Janks Morton film, “Hoodwinked,” with Steve Perry, Marc Lamont Hill and Jawanza Kunjufu. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
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truthbeliever
October 22, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Will someone please tell me what you think President Obama should do specifically and only for Black People? Are you advocating that a special set of government rules or programs should be put in place for African Americans only? You say you don’t like other judging you, but here’s a word from Sister: I’m no looking for President Obama to find a way to somehow make my life better. I was blessed to get an education and used my common sense regarding the kinds of jobs that are available and would provide me, a single parent of two, to own my home and put my children through college. At age 17, I stopped daydreaming and making pissy decisions and hoping someone was just going to bless me. I got serious about what it was going to cost me not to live in subsidized housing depend on food stamps. In short, neither the President of his wife is responsible for making life easy for you. And while I’m at it, I’d like to know what sort of contributions Boyce Watkins has made to “the hood”. Just offering these ridicoulous juvenile orations makes him pathetic- like Nancy Grace in blackface.
Imhotep
October 16, 2012 at 9:25 am
Great post Debra!!! I have seen it firsthand how they have been operating since the mid-2000′s. I went in for a community block grant to provide transportation services for the sick and the elderly. I have all my certifications and my company is registered and certified by the state and I still haven’t heard back. Simple plan and low cost to start up. Also, the SBA has no teeth!! They act like we are suppose to have everything perfect while our white counterparts don’t. Someone in the mayor’s office told me if I support the mayor with a financial contribution, that I would get my grant. That’s politricks eh? Hotep
Debra A. Daniels
October 12, 2012 at 1:26 pm
One never arrives to the truth of any matter by discouraging intelligent observation, discourse, argument and evidence that is clear as day. MLK Jr. said people should be more concerned about the content of a man’s character than the color of his skin. I agree wholeheartedly and the fact is the vast majority of black people in America and Africa don’t really know jack about Barack Obama’ past personal character shortly before he ran for president nor his present administration, legislation, or the fact that rich white Jews early on selected and bankrolled Obama. The very same rich white Jews Obama bailed out with government money forcibly requiring nothing in return to help Americans are overwhelmingly represented throughout his administration along with Hispanics that he has also appointed to Supreme Court and all other positions of power and authority. And, the same white Jew and WASPs who are overwhelmingly America’ employers who are also steadily not hiring African Americans with or without college degrees for available jobs. Prior to his re-election campaign machine gearing up, POTUS Barack Obama wouldn’t even utter the two words “African American” in front of the media or in his speeches. How about you and the other 16 naive people loving your comment to Dr. Boyce Watkins get off of your a***s and do some research before you jump to defend Obama who based on his record definitely does not deserve such defense. Dr. Boyce Watkins like many other African Americans who have done so knows way more about Obama and can therefore clearly see Obama and his administration way past Obama’ and Michelle’ skin color. This is something that unfortunately most other black people have been unwilling and not had sense enough to do. In stating all of this, I am not advocating that African Americans vote for Romney. Research him too. What I am saying is don’t love Obama simply because of the color of his skin or what he says. Pay attention to what the man does or does not do. For example, if Obama does not substantially increase the availability of jobs in America and the economic gap between the rich versus dwindling middle class and poor widens, who the h**l do you think is going to suffer greatest behind this and is also suffering greatest right now? I don’t give a d**n about Barack Obama’ skin color, but what I do care about is whether he’s following the marching orders of the rich to dangerously widen the economic gap between rich and poor. I care about who will create jobs and business opportunities for African Americans and will substantially lower high African American unemployment. And, if the individual who can do this is black, white, yellow or blue, it doesn’t matter to me. Otherwise, if it’s a member of the so-called “Black Elite” and “Boule” like Obama and so many others who overwhelmingly deceive black people en mass to look out for themselves given their reward to do so by virtue of also being dependent on the economic power strings of white America, I’ll take somebody else who will make a difference for African Americans by creating higher education, jobs, and business development opportunities. Obama’ boy Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel’ recent reply to the media on why Chicago construction companies don’t hire black men and women is empty air and is also the same load of hot c**p excuse about lack of “training” his fellow white Jews in urban cities nationwide who are in vast numbers the commercial and residential real estate developers and construction company owners have for the past 20+ years also stated too about why they overwhelmingly hire only Hispanics for construction jobs. These dogs don’t hunt anything other than money, greed, more lies, and systematic discrimination against African Americans in showing clear preference for hiring Hispanics and whites. Also, the vast majority of Hispanics hired by white Jews and WASPs for construction jobs cannot even speak English and actually have had no formal or official “training” in the construction trades, but rather America has deliberately allowed them to illegally enter this country and be rewarded with work denied to African Americans and access to social services lifetime long paid for by both employed and unemployed African American taxpayers who have not only been disproportionately harmed by America’s “Great Recession”, but also non-stop economic and social racism. Here in Washington, D.C.. white Jewish developers, construction company owners, and media are stating the same garbage in media articles as Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel. They are all spewing the same old bullshit about African Americans not being “trained” for nor wanting to work construction jobs and nothing could be further from the truth. The real problem has been that African Americans nationwide have for 20+ years stood by idle and watched white Jewish and WASP American employers steadily and overwhelmingly hire Hispanics, watched white American-controlled banks readily provide small business loans to non-African Americans, watched biracial 1/2 white/black city government politicians (lethal white America’s years forwarded new strategy along with white media’ steady promotional pushing of interracial marriage and procreation between blacks and whites) backed by the money of white Jews strip African American government employees of civil service job protection and union rights to orchestrate massive firings, and watched African Americans in major urban cities be deliberately forced into long-term unemployment, home foreclosures, irrevocable financial ruin, first-time social service use, poverty and forced out of American cities without conducting any aggressive or vehement organized protest whatsoever. African Americans have folded like dumb sleepy sheep easily rounded-up, forced, and led to slaughter over a cliff. And, guess who’s helping the white Jews and WASPs big time? All the so-called “Black Elite” whose jobs, businesses, and bank accounts are intimately dependent upon and tied to tight relationships with the same white Jews and WASPs who have historically done everything possible to systematically, institutionally, and economically exploit, divide, dilute, decimate and destroy the Black Race in America and worldwide. So, who do African Americans have to blame other than ourselves regarding unwillingness or inability to unite? You will not find the same problem among white Jews, WASPs, Hispanics, Asians and others. They tightly stick together. Also people, know this. Barack Obama was early on selected and is owned lock, stock, and barrel by rich white Jews. His administration is also overwhelmingly comprised of white Jews and Hispanics. Black people in America and Africa have for far too long had the insidious and deadly problem of having trusted bought, propped up and puppets into our confidence and camp. We are truly sick and have to be to have allowed all we have allowed to go on for so long. It’s called brainwashed self-hatred, crabs-in-a-barrel syndrome, and total lack of higher consciousness not to seek, know, or act on the strength of who we really are due to being mired in belief of incredible lies and ongoing deception. And, along with all else, we don’t even know that the white Jews in America and Israel are not even the true descendants of the ancient people Hebrew Israel God’s Chosen who were in fact black and brown people. The white Jews and Zionists are total imposters orchestrating through their control of banks, corporations, industries, media organizations, governments, court judicial, legal, and prison systems, greed and riches the vast majority of wickedness and injustices worldwide. May Almighty God and Jesus Christ enlighten and help black people fast before it’s too late because in addition to white supremacy we are also our own worst enemies.
Tauris
October 12, 2012 at 9:04 am
Excellent Post!
Brandy
October 10, 2012 at 8:39 pm
I’m all for constructive criticism if it is distributed evenly. I’m new to Dr. Boyce I do wonder how he viewed our former Presidents. Just a thought???
Rev. George Brooks
October 9, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Well said Brother Boyce. Every word of what you said this time is absolutely correct and on target. And what’s with these blacks that think that we blacks should not expect much from Barack Obama? Are these “Negroes” crazy? Because if we can’t expect more, or at least a very good decent amount of support from one of our very own, what do we expect from whites in office? Are some of you so foolish to actually believe that whites get the same exact benefits from white presidents, as a whole, as blacks receive? Do you all not know that EVERY RACIAL GROUP ALWAYS LOOK OUT FOR THEIR OWN KIND FAR MORE THAN FOR OTHERS??? Obama doesn’t even have but one or two blacks around him, with a crew of whites and Jews all over the place, and telling him everything to say and do. You all act like little children in the kindergarten, who don’t know how the world really operates, and think that everybody is fair and equal, and kind and nice to EVERYBODY. Wake up, and grow up, MENTALLY, black folks! — Rev. George Brooks
Deloris
October 5, 2012 at 10:41 am
There must not be any black men or should I say real men in the black community. Raise your own kids and stop asking others to do your job for you. After all of this time we are still begging. I am an American and I do not expect President Obama to do anything for me but do what he must for our country.
One person can only do so much. It is almost like asking him to come from Washington to come to my neihborhood to pick up paper in front of my house. Taking care of oneself start with small steps. We do not do that but we expect the President to walk miles for us. Bend your back first for your self and stop complaning so much. How much volunteer work do you and your friends do in these neighborhoods that you are complaning.
How many neighborhood or school meeting do you attend. I can imagine that if a school is in your neighborhood you do not know the principal. Yet your children are there more hours with them than they are with you. Think before you throw stones.
Deloris
October 5, 2012 at 10:40 am
There must not be any black men or should I say real men in the black community. Raise your own kids and stop asking others to do your job for you. After all of this time we are still begging. I am an American and I do not expect President Obama to do anything for me but do what he must for our country.
One person can only do so much. It is almost like asking him to come from Washington to come to my neihborhood to pick up paper in front of my house. Taking care of oneself start with small steps. We do not do that but we expect the President to walk miles for us. Bend your back first for your self and stop complaning so much. How much volunteer work do you and your friends do in these neighborhoods that you are complaning.
How many neighborhood or school meeting do you attend. I can imagine that if a school is in your neighborhood you do not know the principal. Yet your children are there more hours with them than they are with you. Think before you throw stones.
LORENE
September 28, 2012 at 12:29 am
Michelle is a nice lady, but no way is she presidential material. She is is barely 1st lady material.
She seriously lacks grace and poise.
She need to practice sitting like a lady first of all.
She look very uncomfortable … almost scared in her role and its understandable why.
She went to Princeton .. sure, but she does not have the back ground for this role.
She taint no Susan Rice!
Olivia
September 27, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Bill or Hillary & Michelle, what a ticket in 2016. It doesn’t matter who runs on the right, they can’t win!!!!!!
marcus davis
September 27, 2012 at 7:10 pm
I wish folks would quit knocking Obama for not doing anything for the black community ,he,s only had one term maybe he,ll get it right the second term as far as i see it anythings better than having the other guy in office Romney if he gets in office black folks will really have something to moan about ,but i bet you would,nt hear any complaining then.
Christopher Davis
September 27, 2012 at 1:12 pm
it seems to me that as long as we sing, dace, and rap and vote for dems we are fine but as soon as we walk out side of the box we are red faced turn coats that need to be wiped out of the black race. Well isn’t it great we live in America I have a right to stand for what i believe and here is a tip so do you GOP up and down the ticket for me
observer99
September 28, 2012 at 2:51 am
Christopher I am replying to your comment, but this really is for general consumption…
Everyone has a right to vote for the candidate of their choosing. People generally vote their self interest. Many people however do vote against their self-interest for many reasons among them, ignorance about the issues, accepting the “shiny objects” that opponents use to buy their vote or allegiance temporarily, and this year, that the incumbent is African American – so because of outright hatred.
I don’t think people believe that an African American who chooses to vote other than Democratic is a turn coat, I think maybe that African American may feel like a turn coat, but that is their issue, they don’t have to defend that, hopefully for example if they were going to defend it they could say something like – they were doing very well during the Bush Republican years, under those Republican policies, and that they were part of the 1-9% who did surprisingly well while the rest of the populace were spiraling down into recession – so bully for them. Because voting Republican again this time around is saying that you are willing to double-down on those policies, and saying yes, I want to be part of that same program that caused the mass of my fellow countrymen so much pain and heartache for the last 11 years and continues to do so. It suggests that they are unable to see that the stench of the Republican mess still remains with us, and although the mess has not been fully cleaned up, they are willing to re-insert the same policies that caused the mess in the first place.
Democrats have always been the clean-up crew. They are in the process of righting the Titanic shipwreck that Bush left and it takes time. Building a major bridge or highway could take 4 years or longer, yet the expectation that the President should make the national and global shipwreck all bright and shiny in such a short period is completely delusional, many credible world leaders have indicated their amazement that he was able to repair the damage to this point in this short a time with a hostile Congress.
I think sometimes folks forget that approximately 4 years ago this month, the Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson indicated that if the Congress did not act there would be no US economy in 3 days – billions of dollars were extracted from the economy (you can guess into whose pockets) and we are where we are today, so consider well when you choose to re-install the agents of this disgrace and this utter decimation of an economy. Consider well, but of course, it is your choice, and while you are at it, consider whether what you do will be good just for yourself, or whether it will be good for the country and the economy at large.
Walk good my friend.
PayMeToVote
September 26, 2012 at 6:53 pm
My point you made exactly. Why do you have to die for your God-given, universal right? When will a people forgive themselves for agreeing to be enslaved so we can be done with such a negative karma?
The incoming Golden Age perhaps?
If you continue to choose slave rights as your timeline then that is how you’ll live. I had to for the sake of BEing free break away from such collective BEings A.G. May God bless you!
PayMeToVote
September 26, 2012 at 12:26 am
What makes the vote sacred? Are you willing to die for it, leaving your Jones’s behind? And your red bottom shoes?
What about you privacy and confidentiality? You willing to leave your “safe-haven” and croak for your rights? Or others for that matter? Nope! I didn’t think so!
AMAZINGGRACE
September 26, 2012 at 11:55 am
Many are willing, and have died for their right to vote. It is not a Privilege, its a Right. My Ancestors died for it, so that Their Children, and Children’ Children would have this Sacred Right. Who am I, but those that walked before me……So, Nope you got it wrong.
PayMeToVote
September 26, 2012 at 12:19 am
Actually @ Mustafa was talking about OUR black president….all I had to do with the Bushes and Clinton was SHOW UP at the polls….they even offered breakfast! Come again! I SAID BREAKFAST! ….whilst….I been stompin all kinds of grounds for the last FIVE years for equalities and benefits that only get calculated into the WORLD budget…but never actually reaches me …..and you either my dear Mustafa. You can’t see the castle falling down if you’re in it. Get out now! May God bless you!
Thank you David….bless your heart.
AMAZINGGRACE
September 25, 2012 at 4:19 pm
African Americans need help. But first lets STOP bringing each other down. That is what every ethnic group notices about us. We never fail to DRAG OTHER AFRICAN AMERICANS DOWN TO OUR LEVEL when things don’t go our way. We got to check ourselves, for we are the laughing stock of many. DON’T LET OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS BET ON OUR SELF-DESTRUCTION, and WIN!! You see hispanics, asians, and others groups, they will live 20 deep in their home, save money. But African Americans will see a Brother or Sister struggling and talk about that poor soul behind their back, and not lift a finger. The First Lady is right, Our Vote is SACRED. protect it, and protect your African American Neighbors.
AMAZINGGRACE
September 25, 2012 at 4:19 pm
African Americans need help. But first lets STOP bringing each other down. That is what every ethnic group notices about us. We never fail to DRAG OTHER AFRICAN AMERICANS DOWN TO OUR LEVEL when things don’t go our way. We got to check ourselves, for we are the laughing stock of many. DON’T LET OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS BET ON OUR SELF-DESTRUCTION, and WIN!! You see hispanics, asians, and others groups, they will live 20 deep in their home, save money. But African Americans will see a Brother or Sister struggling and talk about that poor soul behind their back, and not lift a finger. The First Lady is right, Our Vote is SACRED. protect it, and protect your African American Neighbors.
PayMeToVote
September 25, 2012 at 2:50 pm
I voted and voted and voted for every election, for everything…..like a GOOOOOOD-somebody-died-hard-so-I-could-die-easy Black. I marched and I volunteered, I cheered and I argued and I cried. I supported and sported buttons and stickers with pride……and I STILL ended up on welfare. Cause I “wasn’t workin’ hard enough” according to my black female boss—who was demoted to her current position.
I’m not voting for anybody. And the only one who EVER kept their word with me is Jesus, and he died proving that. No more world games for me. No matter which boss wins the vote….somebody’s gotta lose….and the slave is always willin’ to give up freedom for comfort. I’m nobody’s slave….I’m God’s child.
David "The U.S. Senator"
September 25, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Well said “PayMeToVote. God Bless You! I Understand Ur Decision. I have discovered that The gay and hispanic Communities, Used The Strategies of The Civil Rights Movement. With The Understanding that, Reguardless if Democrats or Republicans are in Power at The Time, Their Agenda will go Forward. If we Loved Eachother for Real, Our Political Agenda will be Priority #1! Peace!
Mustafa
September 25, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Just want to make sure I clearly understand you, you have voted for White presidents for years, and now that we have a Black president in office you finally discoverd that you will not vote. Really, you sound like a troll! Vote people, this a paid troll!
David "The U.S. Senator"
September 25, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Black People deserve Economic Justice Now. There should be a Marshal Plan to address the Economic InJustice that is at The Root of Our Sufferings. The Black Elite Class, continues to Play the Masses of Black People. We must Identify New Black Leaders, that can Speak to The Needs of Our People. Instead of Our People’s Needs, always put on The Back Burner. While hispanic and gay Issues are Prioritized. Go Figure!
Harold
September 25, 2012 at 8:15 am
It sounds like most of you just want a black face in the white house–nothing more. If that is your only requirement then you are simple minded. Many of us want a black President who is considerate of the people who put him in power. If he does not even mention you, then he has betrayed you. How foolish to pretend you do not notice that. How foolish to attack those who have noticed it and are not afraid to speak about it. Up you mighty race…!
BARBBF
September 24, 2012 at 5:28 pm
OBAMA AT THE CBC….. AND REP. WATERS COMMENTS
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) said Monday that she found President Barack Obama’s speech to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) “curious” and she’s not sure who he was talking to.
At the annual CBC awards banquet Saturday, Obama had told the crowd, “Shake it off. Stop complaining. Stop grumblin’. Stop crying. We are going to press on. We have work to do.”
“I found that language a bit curious because the president spoke to the Hispanic caucus and certainly they are pushing him on immigration and despite the fact that he has appointed Sotomayor to Supreme Court, he has office for excellence in Hispanic education in the White House,” Waters told CBS’ Erica Hill. “He certainly didn’t tell them to stop complaining.”
“And he never would say that to the gay and lesbian community who really pushed him on don’t ask, don’t tell or even in a speech to AIPAC, he would never say to the Jewish community, ‘Stop complaining about Israel.’ So I don’t know who he was talking to because we are certainly not complaining. We are working. We support him and we are protecting that base because we want people to be enthusiastic about him when that election rolls around.”
Hill asked the congresswoman if she thought thought the President was aware of the economic pain African Americans were facing.
“He certainly heard us,” Waters explained. “That speech that he did to the Congressional Black Caucus included the words ‘black’ and ‘African American’ for the first time. And, yes, he is energized. We helped him to get energized so he can deal with the concerns of the black community. I think he heard us. Some of his words were not appropriate and surprised me a little bit, and I was curious about him but he certainly heard us.”
Prince Jafee
September 24, 2012 at 8:51 pm
If you pay your cable bill and internet service, you would get your news in a timely manner like the rest of us. Are maybe you just woke up from a coma and just got that old news you’re posting on this site as though it’s fresh off the 5 o’clock news. Come on now..
Kevin
September 24, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Boyce, I just have to ask. Why do you require so much from President Obama, that you have never required any other President to do. Is it because he is black, or is it that you are a hated.
Kevin
September 24, 2012 at 4:59 pm
I meant hater
Mz
September 24, 2012 at 8:04 pm
“Why do you require so much from President Obama…” Really? This is the main divide of our community. The ole “I got mine, you get yours” attitude. Do you really believe that the crime in Chicago with our boys and girls being slaughtered in the streets isn’t your problem? How about the 10, 000 inmates being held at 26th&California (the largest holding cell in the U.S) being occupied primarily by our men and women? Maybe non violent offenders who can’t get jobs becaus etheir records are unsealable or expungable isn’t your problem either? Well, the Obamas live here! Down the street from where our children pollute street corners because of lack of employment, education and resources. They have quicker access to an assult rifle than brand new school material on the first day. Mrs. Obama, rightfully, has loyalty to her husband-it’s give and take. What are we getting in exchange for our vote? All that knocking on our doors nearly four years ago with a mouth full of lies and yet, now he’s so confidence in our stupidity that he no longer offers us anything.
Prince Jafee
September 24, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Other than sitting back, criticizing and pointing fingers at those who have what he desire in life, can anyone name ONE accomplishment on a national level (Excluding YBW) by Boyce ie. protest, march, political office, TV talk show,Black agenda conference, national fundraiser-charity event, faculty at HBCU,etc.
Not trying to scarcastic, but I really would like to know if he accomplished anything on a national level that would give him the credibility to criticize others.
Mz
September 24, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Doesn’t matter how you phrase it or spell it. “Hater” is so juvenile-how about a well thought out idea or is that a stretch to ask of an adult?
Acornvoice
September 24, 2012 at 9:43 pm
We expect one man to solve all the problems of our people. All year long we can make an effort to encourage the “sit-ins” in our community to address the issues we are facing every day.
Yes, he needs our support and you are doing our President and Mrs. Obama an injustice, not because you are critical, but you have no constructive answers.
Mz
September 25, 2012 at 2:25 pm
@ Acorn
“We expect one man to solve all the problems of our people…”
O.K. genius. Name one that’s been resolved? You’re an idiot. As far as my “constructive answers”- it’ll happen @ the polls.
RAN
September 25, 2012 at 1:17 am
If there is something the President of the United States should do or address, does it really matter if any other president before him was asked to do or address the same issue(s)? I keep hearing that argument but it still doesn’t make sense to me. Does every incoming president no longer have to worry about being asked certain things because his predecessor(s) were not asked the same thing? Give me a break.
And lets be real, wanting attention by the President has as much to do about needing the leader of our nation to address issues that are important to us as it is about needing our first Black president to address issues that are important to us. There are a couple of things I can guarantee you:
1) The first women president of the United States will have a lot of pressure on her from women to address women’s issues/rights. And everyone will understand this.
2) The first publicly acknowledged homosexual president will have a lot of pressure on him/her from gays to address their “issues/rights”. And everyone will understand this.
That’s the nature of the game and everyone gets it. Except some of us. Just like every white man that has held office before President Obama was tuned in to the interests of white people, particular white men, why is it a crime when we want the same thing from our Black president? Why are we ALWAYS asked to do what no one has ever or will ever be asked to do???
Proteus
September 24, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Good article. *The Dougie guy was shot and killed in front of a liquor store here in Inglewood Ca…… I’m an SU graduate