Serious Question: What has Obama Done for the African-American Community to Deserve Their Support?

[CGP]

I am extremely skeptical of Obama's committment to the African-American community & I am of the firm opinion that he has used them to score votes. In the same way he has used young people, "no-war" liberals, and middle-class white people feeling guilty about the past! Obama has scored big with the AA community during this election and yet he couldn't even be bothered to attend the State of the Black Union in New Orleans in February - was "too busy" campaigning. It all seems so blatantly opportunistic. My partner is African-American so I have ZERO hang-ups about race. As such, it makes it even easeir for me to be outspoken and CRITIQUE Obama's opportunistic behavior on this matter!!!!

My questions.....

What has done Barack Obama done for the Afican-American community to warrant receiving their unwavering support?

How has he given to this community?

What committment has he shown them through advocating for their rights or helping to overcome some of the injustices experienced by African-American people in this country?

[movingtous]

He can boogie better than Hillary:confused:


But, then again, I could be wrong. The media thinks I'm racist.

[lakerchick4life]

I can tell you why they are voting for him.. I have a girl that I work with and she voted for Obama and we discussed this(this was back when the California primary was going on) and I asked her how come she voted for Obama and she couldn't think of any reason. I asked her if she thinks he is the right guy for the job and she just had this blank look on her face so I just flat out asked her how come she is voting for him, the truth..and she said "Cause he's black" and I said "But has he done anything for the black community" and she said she had never even heard of him, but just wanted a black guy in the white house for a change..that's the reason why blacks are voting for Obama

[CGP]

My partner and I cannot discuss the issue. He, like most, supports Obama for seemingly unidentifiable reasons. There are African-American people who don't support Obama and sure they are a minority within a minority but they are about - the media just doesn't promote their views. The "Black Agenda Report" has released some very good articles critiquing Obama & questioning his motives and level of commitement to the AA community.

[skc1976]

I think that his major contributions have been inserting the terms "bamboozled" and "hoodwinked!" (And yes, I am serious. That's all I know that he's done.)

[G4Hillary]

He can dance like Michael Jackson and he can impersonate Malcolm X.

"You've hoodwinked, bamboozled, runamuck..."

Go ahead on, Minister Obama.

[skc1976]

Well, I went to Obama's website because I figure that's where his supporters get the majority of their info. This is what it says in the Civil Rights section about his actual work (after the promises of what he will do):

"Record of Advocacy: Obama has worked to promote civil rights and fairness in the criminal justice system throughout his career. As a community organizer, Obama helped 150,000 African Americans register to vote. As a civil rights lawyer, Obama litigated employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and voting rights cases. As a State Senator, Obama passed one of the country's first racial profiling laws and helped reform a broken death penalty system. And in the U.S. Senate, Obama has been a leading advocate for protecting the right to vote, helping to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act and leading the opposition against discriminatory barriers to voting."

What do you think?

Sounds like more fluff. But one thing caught me there. "Obama helped 150,000 African-Americans register to vote." I wonder if he did that for the good of the community or if he did it to secure votes?

[Peppermint Patty]

Okay, I do understand voting for a black because you're black. But why THIS man of so little substance??

HRC paid her dues. Four years ago there was some talk of her running but she stayed in the Senate "like a good girl" and did her elected job. After all, she'd only just got there, right? Now that she has more Senate experience under her belt along comes this guy who couldn't wait his friggin' turn. Who didn't pay his dues and is all hot air and fluff.

Why THIS man? So many other black politicians are more worthy. This one is half white and half Kenyan. His father's ancestors were never part of the black American struggle from slavery to freedom and fight for civil rights.

He doesn't really represent them or their history which is why he's never had any passion for helping the black community. Ergo, absolutely no evidence he's ever been involved in the black community.

Oh I don't even know where I'm going with this, it's late and I'm disappointed and disgusted by this whole facaca primary process. If you're a Republican you shouldn't be able to help pick the Democratic nominee. This whole primary/caucus situation is sooo frustrating. :mad:

It shouldn't be about race or gender. It should be about who is the best person for the job. But then, look at Bush. Ugh. To this day I do not understand how the American people elected the village idiot over Al Gore! This country!!! Go figure. :eek:

[CGP]

Well, I went to Obama's website because I figure that's where his supporters get the majority of their info. This is what it says in the Civil Rights section about his actual work (after the promises of what he will do):

"Record of Advocacy: Obama has worked to promote civil rights and fairness in the criminal justice system throughout his career. As a community organizer, Obama helped 150,000 African Americans register to vote. As a civil rights lawyer, Obama litigated employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and voting rights cases. As a State Senator, Obama passed one of the country's first racial profiling laws and helped reform a broken death penalty system. And in the U.S. Senate, Obama has been a leading advocate for protecting the right to vote, helping to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act and leading the opposition against discriminatory barriers to voting."

What do you think?

I ask myself...

How specifically did he help 150,000 AA to vote?? And what was driving him to do that? (I wonder :rolleyes:)

Civil rights attorney - how was that specific to AA people??

Racial profiling law - what, he "passed it" of his own accord??

And yeah, I think I know why he was so active (if he was) with the Voting Rights Act because he wanted to maximize his votes from the AA community!

Sorry, this list is very unconvincing in regards to answering my questions.

[CGP]

Okay, I do understand voting for a black because you're black. But why THIS man of so little substance??


I understand that too. But yes, why this man? His EGO is so huge, his motives for power are highly questionable, and his committment to social justice and overcoming social inequalities seems non-existent. It angers me that he has been able to "dupe" so many people. But, then again, those who are narcissistic are very good at "duping" people...so as to get what they want...

[B positive]

FLUFF told African Americans "I have somewhere else to be" during the 2008 State of the Black Union!

African American voters need to wake up and ask themselves if his MIA for the '08 SBU doesn't predict his future behavior on Black issues!

A blackout toward all candidates who were "too busy" on that day is more appropriate.

I am proud to be supporting the ONLY CANDIDATE who understood the relevance of that event!

[skc1976]

FLUFF told African Americans "I have somewhere else to be" during the 2008 State of the Black Union!

African American voters need to wake up and ask themselves if his MIA for the '08 SBU doesn't predict his future behavior on Black issues!

A blackout toward all candidates who were "too busy" on that day is more appropriate.

I am proud to be supporting the ONLY CANDIDATE who understood the relevance of that event!

This is a GREAT post!!!! KUDOS!!!! Two thumbs up!

[CGP]

Back at the time we had a few threads about the SOTBU event:

http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=334

http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=336

http://www.hillaryclintonforum.net/discussion/showthread.php?t=364

[SantaCruzen]

Mr Osopathetic might have to really get inventive.

[lanney]

Some AA gave me more detailed logic, first they want to see Black President in White House. This will be sweet revenge for slavery. I asked them but he is not a product of slavery. He is son of Kenyan College student and white mother. His family never has been slave. With your logic his white families are your oppressor. Why you think he is any connection with you. Then they responded he is black. I told them human origin is from ape and from Africa, so all human are linked so why him? If you think white did wrong so now you want to repeat same, why?

Another question I asked them In case there is news that required military action inside Kenya in his grand mother town or his uncle village. Do you think he can do it? What will be his reaction? There is a ethnic division in Kenya, Is he going to support his Muslim uncle who is oppsition leader or Christian ruler? Or he will see where is US interest?

We need a President who can protect US and can take action when it is needed.

[hobbitt]

I ask myself...

How specifically did he help 150,000 AA to vote?? And what was driving him to do that? (I wonder :rolleyes:)

Civil rights attorney - how was that specific to AA people??




What he did do:

"He voted against a bill that would add penalties for crimes committed as a part of gang activity and against a bill that would make it a criminal offense for accused gang members, free on bond or probation, to associate with other gang members. In 1999, he was the only state senator to oppose a bill that prohibited early prison release for criminal sexual offenders."

" In 2001, he voted “present” on a measure to keep pornographic books and video stores 1,000 feet away from schools and churches, and in 1999, he voted against a requirement to make schools filter internet pornography from school computers."


And what he did not do:

"First and foremost is the notion that Obama "led" the Chicago Annenberg Challenge in any meaningful way.

If he did, it's news to me and a lot of folks in Chicago. I wrote a long report about the CAC in 2001 that failed to unearth Obama's name as anyone of any influence -- and never came across his name in an education context in the following six years during which I wrote a book about school reform in Chicago. Obama gets barely a mention in the Chicago Catalyst magazine, which goes back further and deeper than I do. "


And another:

"A search of all the cases in Cook County Circuit Court in which Obama made an appearance since he graduated from Harvard in 1991 shows: Zero."

[Ohio mom]

Sounds like more fluff. But one thing caught me there. "Obama helped 150,000 African-Americans register to vote." I wonder if he did that for the good of the community or if he did it to secure votes?

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMMMM!!!!:p

[Karen Keefe]

I agree bo is presenting himself as more experienced and caring than he is. Missing the Black State of the Union in New Orleans that Hillary agreed to attend before Super Tuesday, whatever the result, shows me his love of self and her love of others. He talks, she works.

I further agree that the more we focus on the issues with passion AND courtesy, the better off we'll be. I say vent once on the blog if need be, then follow Hillary's lead as voiced by her campaign manager in the press release section of the official website yesterday and return to the issues. We must not turn into ranting, raving people on any topic, especially gender and race, as the bo campaign would like us to do and then use it against us.

I'm all for speaking up, fighting back and fighting fair. Please, let's stay on the high road. People will come around. Call, donate, canvass--do the work with energy and manners. Have Hillary's legislative record and economic and national security plans in hand as we speak to voters. The facts, our passion and our manners will lead more and more voters to us.

[BooskerD]

I can tell you why they are voting for him.. I have a girl that I work with and she voted for Obama and we discussed this(this was back when the California primary was going on) and I asked her how come she voted for Obama and she couldn't think of any reason. I asked her if she thinks he is the right guy for the job and she just had this blank look on her face so I just flat out asked her how come she is voting for him, the truth..and she said "Cause he's black" and I said "But has he done anything for the black community" and she said she had never even heard of him, but just wanted a black guy in the white house for a change..that's the reason why blacks are voting for Obama

This is what I'm hearing, too. Plus, they seem to believe that he will bring about "equality" for them and put to an end the real or perceived slights against them. There's a lot of talk of his ability to "unify" all people and his sheep swallow this hook, line and sinker. But nobody can explain how Obama will be able to achieve this impossible goal. It's truly shocking to me that people have been so conned by this guy.

[Sherry]

I just posted this on another thread
All I know is...he is "black" only when it's convenient. It's ok if blacks support him but he doesn't want anyone to think he supports American causes that may help minorities. He doesn't want certain blacks being seen in pictures with him, he does not attend black events and he doesn't "want to be known as a black candidate". He considers it racist to even mention his name in the same sentence as the word black. I have been vilified by black people (even in public for wearing my Hillary t-shirt) simply because I am for Hillary. The only reason so many blacks are voting for him is because they have some mis-guided idea that somewhere in his pea brain he actually knows he's black. Well he doesn't think so and never will. If blacks can vote for him simply because of his skin tone then everyone else can vote for Hillary because of her skin tone and her gender. He will still lose. I want him to know it is not racist in our country to have a discourse on color. Hillary was dealing with racism in this country before he was out of the play pen. LOL! He on the other hand, would not know racism if it walked up and bit him. Why doesn't he address the issue that blacks are not voting based on his platform, he does not have one. The media does not hesitate to talk about the women who support Hillary. When will the discussion began about the blacks that are being led to slaughter by this confused little boy who does not know the history of race in America, doesn't want to know and thinks it does not pertain to him. All Americans have stripes on their backs from the things racism has done to us in our country. I am so tired of not discussing this issue. He can't even get in a discussion on the issue because he does not have the knowledge that Hillary has.

This discussion is long overdue.

[G4Hillary]

Sherry,

Your writing was insightful. An Obama presidency would never address social issues because it would be his liability. He is a scared issues dodger who would set our country backwards.

And we thought it couldn't get any worse than George W. hehe I think Obama can overtake him in the dumb and useless department.

If America wants 4 more years of a dummy in the White House, there is only one choice in this election: Barrakhan RezkOBAMA.

[rene.d]

Geez, I find myself trying not to interject when comments are misinformed...:( but at the risk of offending people, Obama led a voter registration campaign in Chicago that resulted in

-Bill Clinton winning Illinois in 1992
-Carol Moseley Braun becoming the first Black woman senator

[LetsHelpAmerica]

I am extremely skeptical of Obama's committment to the African-American community & I am of the firm opinion that he has used them to score votes. In the same way he has used young people, "no-war" liberals, and middle-class white people feeling guilty about the past! Obama has scored big with the AA community during this election and yet he couldn't even be bothered to attend the State of the Black Union in New Orleans in February - was "too busy" campaigning. It all seems so blatantly opportunistic. My partner is African-American so I have ZERO hang-ups about race. As such, it makes it even easeir for me to be outspoken and CRITIQUE Obama's opportunistic behavior on this matter!!!!

My questions.....

What has done Barack Obama done for the Afican-American community to warrant receiving their unwavering support?

How has he given to this community?

What committment has he shown them through advocating for their rights or helping to overcome some of the injustices experienced by African-American people in this country?

He has had a fairly privilaged life. He was too young to really relate to the civil rights movement and his constituency is upper class........Hillary relates much better to blacks and will certainly do more for them via her health care package, her economic plans , and simply because she is the one who supports the disenchanted folks in this country!

[G4Hillary]

rene.d,

There are many people who do voter registration. I've done it myself. That is no qualification for anything. Most of us have done community service. And to give him credit for Bill Clinton or Carol Mosley Brown's win is preposterous. They won on their merit, no thanks to RezkObama.

What he really used those registrations for was his own entry and dangerously fast rise into national politics.

[Peppermint Patty]

What he did do:

"He voted against a bill that would add penalties for crimes committed as a part of gang activity and against a bill that would make it a criminal offense for accused gang members, free on bond or probation, to associate with other gang members. In 1999, he was the only state senator to oppose a bill that prohibited early prison release for criminal sexual offenders."

" In 2001, he voted “present” on a measure to keep pornographic books and video stores 1,000 feet away from schools and churches, and in 1999, he voted against a requirement to make schools filter internet pornography from school computers."


And what he did not do:

"First and foremost is the notion that Obama "led" the Chicago Annenberg Challenge in any meaningful way.

If he did, it's news to me and a lot of folks in Chicago. I wrote a long report about the CAC in 2001 that failed to unearth Obama's name as anyone of any influence -- and never came across his name in an education context in the following six years during which I wrote a book about school reform in Chicago. Obama gets barely a mention in the Chicago Catalyst magazine, which goes back further and deeper than I do. "


And another:

"A search of all the cases in Cook County Circuit Court in which Obama made an appearance since he graduated from Harvard in 1991 shows: Zero."

Amen! And why has the press not PUBLICIZED his pitiful voting record? I posted on my blog a while back a piece on how he accidentally voted 6 times the wrong way when he was in the State Senate. It shows lack of concentration. Lack of passion for the job. Where was his mind? Engaged elsewhere no doubt, fantasizing about how he'll look in the oval office? And several of his wrong votes were a tie-breaker which tipped a bill the wrong way! This is the carelessness they want in the White House???

How has this man, and how does he continue to PULL THE WOOL OVER everyone's eye that supports him? WHAT THE "H" IS SO wonderful ABOUT HIM???? :confused:

So blabbidy blah frustrated I could CRY!!! :mad:

Hobbit, with your permission, may I repeat the above facts in a new blog for my site? We need to get the word out about this. Something's got to finally click out there. His supporters claim to be more educated, well, it's time they blew the cobwebs out of their minds and looked at the facts.

[Sarah75]

Does anyone know of a list out there of the work that HRC has done to benefit the Black Community? Of course, all the good work on the economy and health care will benefit it, as it will everyone else. But it would be great to have a positive list of some of her relevant legislative and other achievements. I'm sure they would be many and varied if someone did the work to gather them together in one place. It would be a great resource, and give us a positive way to respond to this issue.

I know the Clintons were extremely popular in the Black Community b4 BO. So maybe just a reminder of some of the reasons why could help some of the less informed voters out there to make a more rational decision.

Any resources to suggest, anyone?

[G4Hillary]

Sarah75,

HillaryClinton.com has great resources and most of her policies listed.

Others here might be able to recommend other resources.

[rene.d]

1972-she worked on school desegregation in the south.
From Living History:
"As part of my investigation, I drove to Alabama. At a local private school, I had an appointment to meet an administrator to discuss enrolling my imaginary child. I went through my role-playing, asking questions about the curriculum and makeup of the student body. I was assured that no black students would be enrolled."

She consistently stood up for affirmative action while first lady and Senator

Consistently supports civil rights legislation in the Senate.

more to come later

[xyndau]

On Obama, the "Black Commentator" website actually has a current issue raising the same question Murray poses here - what has Obama done to deserve support of the AA community. The feature article is "Barak Obama and the Euphoria of Madness".

A couple of excerps from the article:
"Many Black Americans and our Brown and Red sisters and brothers will, I fear, come to be deeply disappointed in Barack Obama, once he demonstrates who he really is. There will be no peace or justice under an Obama Presidency, should such come to pass."

"Blind euphoria notwithstanding, those who ignore reality and the lessons of history, do so at their own peril. Now, more than ever, is the time to be critical thinkers, not blind followers."

Click Here (http://www.blackcommentator.com/263/263_cover_1_keeping_it_real_obama_euphoria.html)fo r the article

[CGP]

I further agree that the more we focus on the issues with passion AND courtesy, the better off we'll be. I say vent once on the blog if need be, then follow Hillary's lead as voiced by her campaign manager in the press release section of the official website yesterday and return to the issues. We must not turn into ranting, raving people on any topic, especially gender and race, as the bo campaign would like us to do and then use it against us.

I'm all for speaking up, fighting back and fighting fair. Please, let's stay on the high road. People will come around. Call, donate, canvass--do the work with energy and manners. Have Hillary's legislative record and economic and national security plans in hand as we speak to voters. The facts, our passion and our manners will lead more and more voters to us.

I agree with & encourage this view. While it's helpful and necessary to critique Obama, it cannot and should not be at the expense of promoting the positive virtues and qualities of Hillary Clinton. It's very easy to get caught up in anti-Obama discussions and forget why we are actualy here - to support & promote Hillary Clinton. So if people have a particular need to discuss Obama on a regular basis, I suggest they do so in the Obama room within this forum.

[rene.d]

More on what Hillary will do for the African American community

At an NAACP conference which she was invited to speak at, she outlined 5 things she would do as prez

1. direct her attorney general to investigate charges of improper, politically motivated hiring and whether any laws were broken and to increase the Civil Rights Division funding by $30 million.

2. help school districts pursue voluntary integration measures

3. extend full voting rights to Washington, D.C. citizens and fight voter ID laws that negatively impact minorities

4. strengthen federal hate crimes law

5. fight race and sex discrimination in the workplace

"We have to have a Justice Department that functions again," she said. "Anyone who says we have gotten beyond racial discrimination is not living with their eyes open."

http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/sep/16/clinton_tells_naacp_civil_rights_plans16195/