We Must Keep Barack Obama's Feet to the Racial Fire or Face Disappointment
Democratic Party Presidential contender Barack Obama is no longer a novelty.
His recent impressive victory in the Iowa caucuses and strong second place showing in New Hampshire raises the realistic possibility that he could indeed achieve his dream of becoming the first African American president of the United States.
However, a close look at the Obama campaign and the positions he has taken (or not taken) on various policy issues sadly reveals that he has achieved his current status as a serious presidential contender by distancing himself from Black America and promising us virtually nothing.
The most we have gotten from Obama has been some motivational speeches and so-called "tough love" criticisms of Black behaviors.
If I am wrong, cite for me just one example of a promise Obama has made to Black America in order to earn our votes or a position he has taken on any issue critical to Black survival in America.
As columnist and colleague Bill Reed points out in a current Op-Ed commentary, none of the presidential contenders has bothered to address so-called Black issues with the exceptions of Congressman Dennis Kucinich (who has no chance of winning his party's nomination) and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards (who also had an impressive showing in the Iowa caucuses).
But by and large Black issues from poverty to the destruction of the family to excessive incarceration have been ignored. The Republicans do not want our votes so they offer us nothing and the Democrats assume they will get our votes so they offer us nothing but a few kind words occasionally. We are being taken for granted and neglected.
In a bid to capture the Jewish vote Obama gave a powerful (even militaristic) pro-Israel speech before the lobbying group AIPAC in Chicago several months ago. But there has been no similar speech aimed at Black America. During the Jena 6 controversy, both Hillary Clinton and John Edwards gave stronger statements of support than Obama.
I realize Obama is not the "Black" candidate for president. He must get white votes and it is understandable when he avoids alienating whites by not over-focusing on the needs of Blacks. But "over-focus" and "no-focus" are two entirely different political approaches.
Candidates, regardless of race, must earn our votes. This cannot be done by ignoring us. In addition, we sell ourselves very cheap when we give up our votes with no promises or commitments in return. There are racial issues in this country and candidates must be forced to address them "before" they are elected. The idea that a candidate will do the right thing after he or she is elected is political foolishness
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