Has Obama Spoken Enough About Issues Facing Black America And The Poor?

The Back Story

Heit and I have spoken quite a few times on The Axiom Amnesia Theory about some of the conversations in which we’ve participated in on social networks, especially Facebook. Recently, we asked the question, “Do you think Obama should have gone to speak to the NAACP?” I shared this question in a number of Facebook groups, and an interesting dialogue took place in response to the question.

I think it is very difficult for die-hard Obama supporters not to delude themselves about what a great job Obama has done for the country, and for Black America. During the course of the conversation, some legitimate questions were asked and answered. I wanted to share this conversation because I think many of the objections to criticisms of President Obama were asked and answered. Overall, one of the things that made me grow most weary during the conversation was knowing that what I was facing wasn’t the thoughts and ideas of the people participating in the conversation, but rather the pro-Obama talking points spewed by pundits in the mainstream media.

Every time anyone is critical of the president, these pundits say things like, “He is the president of all Americans, not just Blacks,” and “How much more do you want the man to do?”

My position was, and continues to be, that President Obama has failed to speak to the issues facing Blacks and the poor in this country. He consistently speaks about issues facing the middle class, and now we’ve seen him address issues facing the LGBT community (he supported same-sex marriage) and the Latino community (his announcement that his administration will no longer seek to deport undocumented young people who have lived in the U.S.), but he has failed to address things like the soaring Black unemployment rate.

Consequently, when Obama didn’t show up to speak to the NAACP because of a “scheduling conflict,” it was perceived by some as a snub, despite the fact that he sent VP Joe Biden in his place. The fact is that Obama knows he’s got the Black vote sewn up, so he is making the choice to win votes from others instead. So, while the question posed was about whether he should have gone to the NAACP, the underlying issue was whether he has spoken to the issues facing Blacks and poor people in the country.

Please read the following dialogues related to this discussion. Please note that I reordered some of the responses to improve readability. Specifically, I made each conversation between myself and that participant, rather than have a long thread with different people commenting and having to search for the response to any given comment.

Dialogue 1

QUESTION: It’s interesting that the story making media rounds is Mitt Romney being booed at the NAACP, when Obama decided not to show at all. Instead, he sent VP Biden to speak to the NAACP. Obama says that scheduling conflicts prevented him from attending. Do you think Obama should have made time to speak to the NAACP himself? Why or why not?

PARTICIPANT 1: Cheri, Obama addressed and attended the convention in 2009, and Michelle Obama addressed NAACP in 2010. My question to you is must he speak at the NAACP every year during his Presidency?

CHERI: Actually, I would prefer he speak on Black issues period, whether at the NAACP or not. I think the issue here is also timing. At a time when the Black jobless rate is practically double the national rate, and he’s told Black folks to take off their “bedroom slippers,” it is really about the implication… as I mentioned earlier in the thread.

Funny thing is that Mitt Romney said what Barack Obama should have said. He made an acknowledgement of the problem, albeit moot because we know he could give a crap, but he still said it. Obama does not like to refer to Blacks period.

PARTICIPANT 1:‎@Cheri, a TRUE FACT is the following: Black unemployment rate has always been double the national rate for over 50 years plus. There are many reasons why this is. 1) We don’t own or control anything economically. I am sure many can add more to the list of reasons why we always are the highest rate of unemployed out of all racial groups in America.

Some other views on this topic of unemployment. “Black people continue to be unemployed at twice the rate of whites in the United States, and various studies show that racism, rather than other factors, is likely the cause.”

Some other studies find that since the 1940s, the jobless/unemployment rate for Blacks in America has held remarkably (twice) the rate for whites. No one has been able to narrow this gap, and I certainly do not think Obama can close this gap. The only thing he can do is fix the economy for all and the by product is that Black unemployment/jobless rates will reduce (albeit will still be higher than other racial groups.) Another example is that even during the “good years” of the Clinton Administration, the following occurred in employment/labor statistics following the same doubling pattern:

“The unemployment rate was 4.2 Percent in 1999. African-American and Hispanic unemployment rates were the lowest on record in 1999. The unemployment rate for African-Americans had fallen from 14.2 percent in 1992 to 8.0 percent in 1999 – the lowest rate on record. The unemployment rate for Hispanics had fallen from 11.6 percent in 1992 to 6.4 percent in 1999 — the lowest rate on record.” excerpt.

As you can see in this excerpt, African-Americans/Blacks, during the Clinton years remained at this ratio of double the jobless rates of Whites. 2:1 ratio.

CHERI: I am well aware of what the national vs rate of Black employment has been historically, and that is not the point. The point is that with this understanding, many Blacks were hopeful that someone with a high enough pulpit (like the president) could speak to these issues. THAT is the point. I think that we could get a lot further in this conversation if we could agree to give each other enough credit to recognize that we are coming to the table with the facts/stats. You should already know by now that I do my research… c’mon…

I recognize that Obama cannot wave a magic wand and solve the unemployment issue or any other issue. His failure, however, to acknowledge the issue lends credence to the position of this who choose to dismiss the systemic component of the problem.

PARTICIPANT 1: ‎@Cheri, I am not exactly sure what he needs to be addressing on employment specifically to Black/AA that he has no control over this discrepancy in jobless rates. Predecessors have already passed Equal Opportunity Hiring Laws and Anti-Discrimination Laws on the books (taken care of.) If the solution is to improve the entire economy, which means the Black jobless rate will reduce, then he is addressing the problem. Some people just apply “logic” better than repeat the same issue rhetorically. And perhaps this jobless discrepancy between Whites and Blacks will never change until we start taking ownership in/of ourselves, invest in Black businesses, support one another, build better communities, build better Banking systems, start owning things etc.

CHERI: ‎”Some people just apply “logic” better than repeat the same issue rhetorically. ” You’re talking about Obama here?

PARTICIPANT 1:Yes. In response to your statement that he is not acknowledging the issue. I believe he is and I understand the historical data. Question to you. How would you reduce the Black/AA jobless rate if you were President of the U.S?

CHERI: In response to your potential solutions: “And perhaps this jobless discrepancy between Whites and Blacks will never change until we start taking ownership in/of ourselves, invest in Black businesses, support one another, build better communities, build better Banking systems, start owning things etc.”

I see these as being somewhat problematic because of their lack of definition. 1) Investing in Black businesses will continue with the same ideals of capitalism. We know there is the unequal distribution of resources and that won’t change just because we choose certain Blacks to have power instead if whites in the community. 2) Building “better” communities – what does this even mean? … (I’m still writing… BRB in a few)

PARTICIPANT 1:Unfortunately, other minorities do the same aforementioned and it is why they are not begging for jobs at the rate at which we are. There is nothing wrong with capitalism. There is something wrong with the way corporate greed has been allowed in recent years (Reagan-economics.) Capitalism creates innovation, new ideas, entrepreneurship. These are good things. Are you socialist leaning? i.e. all forms of capitalism is bad viewpoint. Building better communities you asked is meant exactly as written. A safe community where innocent children aren’t been killed daily could be a starting point. JS.

CHERI: Still talking about your proposed solutions above and trying tot take the rebuttals in order so I get to everything…

3) “Build better banking systems” – Again, what would constitute “better”? And better for whom? See, the current banking system is better for some people, right?

4) “Start owning things” – Is lack of ownership the root cause of the unemployment system, or is it one of the byproducts of it? If it is a byproduct (which I would argue that it is), then how will owning things resolve the root cause of the unemployment issue?

Now to your rebuttals…

– A) “Unfortunately, other minorities do the same aforementioned and it is why they are not begging for jobs at the rate at which we are. “

Is this really a true statement? Are other minorities not begging for jobs at the same rate BECAUSE they do these things, or are they able to do these things because the effects of racism are not as impactful on them as on Blacks (or possibly for some other reason)?

– B) “There is nothing wrong with capitalism. There is something wrong with the way corporate greed has been allowed in recent years (Reagan-economics.) Capitalism creates innovation, new ideas, entrepreneurship. “

Let me say that this is the typical line pushed in academia about capitalism. My undergrad is actually in Business Administration, and this propaganda is heavily pushed–the idea that having the country’s trade controlled by private entities for profit is fairplay that will lead to innovation, best products, good competition. However, it tends to lead to monopolies and stifles the ability of the little man to compete effectively… these disparities are the part of the system that contribute to the lopsided way things play out.

PARTICIPANT 1: it appears that until Obama tells Black/AA people that he will give them 40 acres and a mule, some will never be satisfied with his approach at being the first Black President of the United States of America and will continue to take jabs that he does not care about Black America. Am I wrong in assuming this? This is the sense I get when dialoguing on this issue amongst other Blacks who are against him. At the rate at which our communities are performing, despite all the financial resources, schools, etc that have been given, I think we deeply need to look within ourselves and determine what has worked well and what hasn’t, and take some accountability at implementing change with your local leaders who are responsible for also implementing change on a direct level. This to me is the more practical approach before assuming the President is not doing anything. At the end of the day, all politics are local anyway. Get involved at the local levels, community levels, PTA (parent teacher association levels,) etc.

Of course my intention is not to simplify this process, but really, when do we start taking accountability instead of blaming others for everything. There has to be a fine balance I guess is my point.

CHERI: You said =>‎ “These are good things. Are you socialist leaning? i.e. all forms of capitalism is bad viewpoint.”

I believe that in this society the word “capitalism” has connotations that extend far beyond the actual definition. In fact, most Americans would place it right on the top shelf of ideals like democracy and freedom.

I think that when people take a look at the actual results of capitalism in terms of whom it is good for and vice versa, they would have to acknowledge that it doesn’t benefit the masses of people in a society where resources are limited.

Furthermore, your question of whether I am “socialist leaning” is a rather loaded one, because there is really no single definition of what encompasses socialism to begin with. So, in fact, the question is really pointed at the connotation of the word “socialism” in our society, which is really tantamount to asking “are you a bad person?” or “Are you a communist?”

Remember how every time Sarah Palin wanted to take a jab at Barack Obama during the 200 election in front of a crowd of people she deemed “real Americans,” she would accuse Barack Obama of being a socialist?

Furthermore, why would my anti-capitalism stance lead you to the “either or” proposition that either I support Capitalism or I must be socialist leaning?

You said =>”Cheri, it appears that until Obama tells Black/AA people that he will give them 40 acres and a mule, some will never be satisfied with his approach at being the first Black President of the United States of America and will continue to take jabs that he does not care about Black America. Am I wrong in assuming this? This is the sense I get when dialoguing on this issue amongst other Blacks who are against him. At the rate at which our communities are performing, despite all the financial resources, schools, etc that have been given, I think we deeply need to look within ourselves and determine what has worked well and what hasn’t, and take some accountability at implementing change with your local leaders who are responsible for also implementing change on a direct level. This to me is the more practical approach before assuming the President is not doing anything. At the end of the day, all politics are local anyway. Get involved at the local levels, community levels, PTA (parent teacher association levels,) etc.”

I’m sorry that you view my criticism of Obama as a “jab,” but just as you are suggesting that he not be put in a position where he should pay special attention to Black Americans just because he is half Black, I will not give him a pass on the way he handles his presidency just because he is half Black.

Earlier in the conversation, I explained the rationale of many Blacks who feel that Obama has not done enough to address the issue of the Black community as being because they had hoped that having a Black president would bring about an acknowledgement of the real issues in the community.

While it is true that some may have wished to see him wave a magic wand and fix all that was/is wrong in the community, I think that is obviously unreasonable.

I do feel, however, that it is not unreasonable to expect a president, who is also Black, to understand more about what it means to be Black in this country. And, that this experience/understanding would feed into the way that he would address the community, and speak to the issues of the community.

This is not about asking for a handout, or even asking him to place the issues of Blacks above those of other communities. However, if Obama has taken specific actions to address the issues of other communities (LBGT and Latino), is it unreasonable to ask him to speak to some of the issues facing Blacks? I don’t think so.

Again, this is not about asking him to SOLVE community issues, but to speak to or acknowledge them.

You said => “Of course my intention is not to simplify this process, but really, when do we start taking accountability instead of blaming others for everything. There has to be a fine balance I guess is my point.”

I agree that accountability is a must, which is why I think that Blacks should not be looking to Obama to solve community issues. People must be accountable for their own actions in terms of that contribution to the issue.

At the same time, we must acknowledge what part of our circumstance is related to things within OUR OWN control, and what part is attributable to systematic oppression.

This is not to say that people should use systematic oppression as an excuse to do nothing, but that we must be addressing BOTH the personal accountability AND the issues of systematic oppression to resolve things.

‎PARTICIPANT 1:@Cheri, good points above ^^^^. I need to explain that because I followed Obama’s campaign very closely in 2007-2008 and decided to vote for him, I can tell you he is doing exactly what he said he would do. As a Black/AA, he is not doing anything unusual from his campaign promises. He is sticking to his campaign promises systematically. I have no expectations of a Black agenda, because he never expressed it in the manner some are suddenly expecting. He never really expressed any minority specific agenda, besides focusing on his belief system and opinions on policies that affect minority groups and poverty.

CHERI: You said => “Question to you. How would you reduce the Black/AA jobless rate if you were President of the U.S?”

That’s a tough question, because I think one would need to look at why the country measures the jobless rate in the first place. Obviously, those who emphasize this stat feel that it is an indicator of something, but what?

To me, when I bring up the Black jobless rate, I make a direct correlation between this rate, and that there are many Blacks (counted and uncounted) who do not have a reliable means of providing for themselves and their families.

The remedy to this situation starts with the determination of whether “a job” is synonymous with a means to obtain that which is necessary for sustenance of life.

I believe that the government is a hinderance to an ultimate solution, not a facilitator of it. So, any solution I would propose as president woud be aimed at reducing the role of the government in our everyday lives, and reducing the dependence of people in general on the government.

The question becomes how to accomplish this though. I think that Blacks in this country would be in a much better situation now had there been a one-time settlement/attempted reparation for the descendants of slaves in the country, as opposed to trying to help generations of people along by having them remain dependent on the system in one way or another. I believe this was by design though…

Of course, the logistics of such a thing woud be practically impossible now, considering that not all Black Americans are the descendants of slaves.

I covered the 2008 election closely as well, and I too voted for Obama. I don’t think I had expectations that Obama would be the “Black” president, but I did expect him to bing some of his experience as a Black man along with him and the decisions he made.

Truth be told though, any hope I had for anything he might do differently that previous presidents flew out the window before he ever took office when I saw his first cabinet picks. I knew it would be business as usual… BUT, I was willing to give him a chance and be hopeful up until that point.

‎PARTICIPANT 1:Based on how much we are not exactly accountable for our spending and fiscally managing it, or that many urban school districts or urban cities are filing bankruptcy and are being taken over, I am not a fan of any reparation until we clean our house and learn financial literacy/financial management and long term planning.

CHERI: You said => “Based on how much we are not exactly accountable for our spending and fiscally managing it, or that many urban school districts or urban cities are filing bankruptcy and are being taken over, I am not a fan of any reparation until we clean our house and learn financial literacy/financial management and long term planning.”

LOL The country has bad credit, so to make that a prerequisite for reparations is kind of funny to me. I agree that people in general and the country need to exercise fiscal responsibility. We live in a culture of excess and fiscal irresponsibility, so the culture would need to change to even begin to address this issue.

‎PARTICIPANT 1:The country has bad credit (yes,) but we have a worse understanding of financial literacy. It is not just Blacks/AA in the country, it is Blacks in the diaspora as well/global. Look at Haiti. How long can we continue to keep watching the financial decline of this country that was the first in demanding independence from the oppressors? My point is that seriously we need to stop at sometimes and take an inner look at what we are doing with what we have. Greed also exists in our culture.

There needs to be more structure/discipline on these financial issues to even fathom reparations. I fear/believe it would be another disaster in the realm of corruption, greed, ill managed etc.

CHERI: I agree that there ought to be personal accountability. I think when you start to talk about other countries, you cannot examine their fiscal responsibility without understanding and addressing the impact of other more powerful nations on their economy. Haiti is not an island unto itself in the global economy.

As far as saying fiscal responsibility needs to be a prerequisite for any reparation, what does one have to do with the other? Would you say to a person who was going to receive a court settlement for malpractice, “You can have your settlement money after we know you will spend it responsibly”? No. So why try to rope that into a term of reparations?

Dialogue 2

‎PARTICIPANT 2:Chéri respectfully, you’re over-simplifying the ‘issue’ & ignoring underlying factors. Has it occurred to you that the ‘Illuminati’ don’t fact check or pay attention? They’re entertainers not analysts. Lots of us ordinary folk recognize that his policies encompass & address major problems. This letter to the former CBC Chair touches upon a few.

BTW, sending Biden is brilliant! Republicans are hypocrits & crybabies. The VP can ‘take off the gloves.’ As the most powerful person in the world, whatever PBO says is considered ‘fighting down’.

CHERI: I don’t think that I am ove-simplifying the issue at all. This particular conversation has taken us to a place where we are discussing the underlying issues. I made a few posts since your comment where I addressed these things. After having read them, do you still feel my position is an over-simplification?

‎PARTICIPANT 2:I don’t care about the ‘rationale’ of Black people who haven’t bothered to find out what & how this administration is doing. Have you paid attention to the context around him? Among his first act was to substantially increase funds for HBCUs. Reps Michelle Bachman & Steve King blocked the settlement due Black farmers and claimed it was reparations. This administration got the bill through Congress & funded.

Watch CSPAN’s Washington Journal during ‘open phones;’ you’ll notice our ‘peeps’ are very well informed. While writing, it occurred to me that ‘speaking out’ would only generate grandstanding & arguments over causes & cures. I assume time will reveal President Obama’s mistakes. Meanwhile, some of us recognize that he can only work with what he has & respect the talented resources he’s directing. IMO, we’ve had enough ‘speaking on our behalf’ and prefer & appreciate meaningful actions.

CHERI: Okay. I hear you, but I think you’re making some assumptions based on a person’s opinion (if I am understanding you correctly). As far as “speaking on our behalf” I tend to agree with you. I speak for myself–period. I don’t want any so-called Black leader speaking for me, and the opinions I express are my own.

I also agree that “meaningful actions” are preferred, and I don’t feel that I have seen enough of those from the president.

‎PARTICIPANT 2:Cheri, No, I’m not making assumptions, I’m including factors. Others here know that I act as a clearinghouse for local activists (15 different issues, at last count). I know about the cleanup of a superfund site next to a boys & girls club after 30 years of fruitless efforts by environmentalists. When I read that the EPA is enforcing previously ignored air quality standards, I’m relieved on behalf of our children who are disproportionately affected by asthma. I notice when the feds by-pass the jerks in the statehouse to directly fund expanded access to healthcare. There are also the grassroots folks included in planning the new Consumer Protection agency. That’s only the beginning.

Thanks to Reaganomics, the country’s middle class has caught hell & we’ve been the ‘canary in the coalmine.’ By the time our access to the American Dream opened, the economy & new technologies eliminated the Rust Belt’s low-skilled, well paying jobs. Like most Americans, our earnings stayed flat after we increased our productivity. Privatization schemes screwed up public education. Yada, yada. Some folks are pushing back & creating local solutions. They welcome the grants & micro-loans.

What does it take for you to see?

CHERI: I’m sorry, but the “middle class” is not my top priority. I think that’s part of the problem. Nevermind about the poor… and I don’t mean just poor Blacks.

PARTICIPANT 2:You’ve lost me. How do the ‘poor’ get empowered? Some used to be middle class. You seem to have ignored all the benefits to ‘Black’ people to see the midde class as ‘part of the probem.’

CHERI: I don’t believe in the “trickle-down” ideology. Therefore, the poor need specific things to address their issues. This whole notion of the rising tide lifting all ships is not one that I believe in…

PARTICIPANT 2:Obviously, I don’t either but I value empowering people to create solutions vs. outsiders determined to ‘fix’ them.

CHERI: I agree…

Dialogue 3

‎PARTICIPANT 3: Well he is black…so why can’t he help us first, and get us jobs? Why does he have to care about everyone, they didn’t. Is basically what I’m hearing….We are all Americans are we not? Stop looking for “Special” treatment. How can a black man not grow up understanding what black people go through…we do live in America….and why does a Black president have to pander to the Black community? Yes I said PANDER….it seems as though he is HW when is not doing something right, but he BLACK, when he should be doing something for the Black/AA community…When did it become okay for anyone to be treated better or addressed more, or even PANDERED too….This sense of, he should do this for us cause he Black…is really kinda irritating…and would be down right wrong if the president was another race…so why is it ok. Again, are we not all AMERICANS? Is he not suppose to help us ALL.

CHERI: You said => “Well he is black…so why can’t he help us first, and get us jobs? Why does he have to care about everyone, they didn’t. Is basically what I’m hearing….We are all Americans are we not? Stop looking for “Special” treatment.”

I’m not sure if this was directed at me or not, but I wanted to address it. I don’t think my comments ere tantamount to asking for special treatment, but rather that he at least mention some of the issues facing Blacks,–just as he has both mentioned and addressed the issues facing LGBT and Latino communities.

‎PARTICIPANT 3: I think he has addressed it…our problems are just like everyone else’s problems….nothing more nothing less.

CHERI: Okay I accept that as your opinion. I don’t agree, but I recognize that you believe that.

‎PARTICIPANT 3: Has he not given us the tools to help ourselves? What more do you want him to do…Becasue he is Black….that’s what you are saying are you not?

CHERI: I never expected him to provide a solution. What I expected was an acknowledgement of the issues. I would expect him to speak to the major issues, just as he did in the Rose Garden a couple of weeks ago when he explained his rationale for the change to immigration policy.

What I am saying is what I have said, and nothing more… Not because he is Black, but because he is the president, which includes Blacks. And, if as president, he feels it makes sense to speak to the issues of particular groups, then why shouldn’t Blacks be included? I would expect him to have some sensitivity as a person of color to those issues.

‎PARTICIPANT 3: But it sounds like you are expecting him to do more for “Blacks” than others….I mean I just don’t get it…what more does he have to do? As others have stated before me…what more do you want from the man?

CHERI: Please go back and read what I said. I didn’t say that he should do more. I suggested that he should do at least what he is willing to do for other groups. I think I have clearly outlined what I want in the previous posts. Please let me know if any of my statements is unclear.

‎PARTICIPANT 3: You are very clear…I just cannot seem to grasp your logic in all of this….but it may never become clear to me what you want…if you say you want no leader to speak for you, but you would want them to do more for you, being that you are black…..I just might be confused Cheri, I just might be.

‎PARTICIPANT 2: ‎”What he is willing to do for other groups” Such as?

CHERI: Participant 2, his support for gay marriage and changes to immigration policy are two examples of what he is willing to do for other groups.

Participant 3, I do not want other people posing as leaders saying they are speaking for me. I would rather speak for myself, because who would know better than me what I think is best for me than myself?

This is not about doing more for me specifically, but about doing more–as in an acknowledgement of issues facing Blacks in general–for the collective. I’m not asking the president for personal favors.

Dialogue 4

‎PARTICIPANT 4: This has been an interesting conversation. I am always mystified by those who want Mr. Obama to do more and say more for Black people. I think folks need to see with a third eye and listen with a third ear. He’s a smart man. He doesnt need to validate us through words. Look at all he has done to benefit us without coming right out and saying so. Does he REALLY have to put out the clarion call to Black folk? That sounds like my last few attempts at dating……they all wanted to be noticed so much, they didnt notice they were being noticed! Forest for the trees! An acquaintance, a well-educated professor at Howard, actually told me he expected the Prez to play The Black National Anthem at the Inauguration to show his solidarity with Black people……and he was serious!!! I guess that’s much like the American flag lapel pin he was bullied into wearing. Perhaps if he throws up a Black power fist, he will have proved to us he’s a real Black man…

Well last i checked, POTUS is the President for ALL people. Each group can find a special need in this country. So in what order should we place each group? I suppose Black should come first because the Prez is Black? Wouldnt that be the same as what we accuse White politicians of doing? Naw. I’d rather he be the President for ALL people. Imma get mine through not only his policies, but by doin my OWN thang for myself and others in as many ways as I can.

CHERI: If I hear the whole “president of all people” line one more time… lol

I never said that Blacks should come first. I said that he should acknowledge the problems of the community. As far as how you “get yours,” what makes you think that others aren’t doing the same? Why does my desire for the POTUS to speak up on issues in the Black community somehow have to be interpreted as I (and those who are of my opinion) are waiting motionless for something to be handed to me? One monkey don’t stop no show…

‎PARTICIPANT 4: So here’s the question then…..what problems do we have that he needs to acknowledge and how would you like for him to acknowledge them? The way I see it, his actions and policies ARE addressing our needs. And BTW …….he IS POTUS not POTAA and as such he gets to do what he can for everyone and to me there should be no expectation that he pick the groups he is most closely aligned with by race. Who are we to judge who gets what when?! Latinos, LGBT community, women, mortgage equity, credit card overhaul, etc…..he is clearly taking action with the underserved in mind. And in 4 out of the 5 I just mentioned….Black citizens in particular benefit! What issue do we have that is particular to only us do you want him to acknowledge? Or do you want him to do something for us and have him point out that he did it just for us?

Black unemployment – being acknowledged by handling unemployment for all. BTW…..Black unemployment seems to be mostly an issue of race. The Prez is getting discriminated against himself. What else should he do. Blacks being unfairl targeted by police and incarcerated – he appointed Eric Holder attorney general. And dont forget him putting his head on a chopping block when he spoke out about Gates’ arrest…

Clarify: I meant to say Black unemployment seems to be partly a function of racial discrimination.

CHERI: I have mentioned the issues I felt needed to be addressed earlier.

‎PARTICIPANT 4: Ok.

Dialogue 5

‎PARTICIPANT 5: Good morning all… This may have been discussed already but does anyone think they will see more done for the black community with President Romney, or even a president Hillary Clinton?

CHERI: I doubt it. […] I suggested that he should do at least what he is willing to do for other groups.

‎PARTICIPANT 5: Other groups such as the LGBT community? Is that what you mean?

CHERI: Yes, LGBT and Latinos.

‎PARTICIPANT 5: The LGBT community believes/believed that they were discriminated against as human beings because of their sexual preferences, namely marriage and many of the marital benefits that you or I might have. Hispanics have the issue of citizenship, those things apply to those groups specifically because they don’t or didn’t have them. Which legal rights don’t blacks have in America that you feel need to be addressed by the president?

CHERI: Really?

‎PARTICIPANT 5: Really…

CHERI: I only brought up one of the issues earlier, but there are plenty. Black unemployment is a huge issue, the disproportionate rate with which Blacks (and brown people) are targeted by police and incarcerated, and the list goes on and on…

As I said before, I felt that a mention of these issues was appropriate. Acknowledgement of a problem is what I am talking about.

However, if you see the issues of discrimination facing LGBT and Latinos as being more POTUS worthy for the spotlight, I cannot change your opinion.

‎PARTICIPANT 5: I didn’t go back through all of the previous comments, I probably should have….

I was attempting to make the point that many in those communities and perhaps the president feel the issues I mentioned previously are Civil rights issues that just happen to affect those groups in particular, much like the Civil rights issues that affected blacks in the 60′s and beyond.

You said previously that you don’t feel that Romney or Hillary could or would accomplish the things you are saying either, so why is it expected of the president?

CHERI: So because I dont think Clinton or Romney could do better, I shouldn’t expect Obama’s best if I think he can do better than he’s doing?

‎PARTICIPANT 5: You haven’t proved to me that he is not doing his best, only that YOU don’t think he is. The president of the NAACP perhaps, but not Obama. We will NEVER agree on this issue it seems so I will back off for now. Peace

CHERI: I have expressed my opinion here and I am under no obligation to prove anything to you. We obviously have different requirements of proof. Just like you feel that the things you’ve mentioned are evidence that he is doing all he can, likewise the things I have mention are evidence to me that he is not. I have no expectation that this conversation will have us both on the same page in the end.

‎PARTICIPANT 5: K

CHERI: Funny we typed that at the same time… lol

‎PARTICIPANT 5: ‎:D

CHERI: I think it is perfectly okay that we see things differently.

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Cheri