Fraternity Inspired by Obama, Teacher Suspended
By Alexis Garrett Stodghill, BlackVoices.com
Blogger Marc Lamont Hill reports that a teacher was suspended in Kansas City, MO for creating this rather positive-looking organization for black youth based on principles inspired by Barack Obama. The video above first appeared on YouTube with the title: "Obama Youth – Junior Fraternity Regiment." Harmless enough.
The students are saying "Yes We Can!" and then speaking of building positive lives and taking full responsibility for themselves -- something they will have to do, should the Republicans get into office again and further destroy the support of America's social programs. Conservatives should be happy.
But this video has done nothing but stir up right-wing ire directed at the Obama campaign, which clearly has nothing to do with this little group. I doubt that many of the critics of this group have ever seen step shows or the rituals of black fraternities, because this video is inspiring terms like "cult," "Nazis" and "socialists" to describe acts I have seen executed peaceably for years.
I guess these are the only circumstances under which some people can imagine youth talking and moving in unison while in uniform -- but that ain't true for black folks. Witness below.
Source: 'Obama Youth' video emerges on YouTube
Tagged as: barack obama, BarackObama
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Comments: (44)
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By: Badbns on 10/09/2008 10:04PM
Wow! Regarding the first video: Research Hitler, then take a close look at this Obamaism.
Regarding the second video: couldn't understand what they were saying, so no comment.
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By: Dillia on 10/09/2008 6:13PM
I think what they are doing is positive...Neo-conservatives are going to think whatever they want, at the end of the day, anyway! I am so glad that these POSITIVE young brothers are emulating a good man, who happens to be black...They are dedicating their lives to improving their lot and helping to improve the lives of those around them...how could you find that negative?? Those people are culturally ignorant, if they don't know that "step-shows" have been done in black fraternities and sororities for as long as I can remember. It's a throw back to our heritage and it's really, fun..If you have never experienced a step-show, you should try to find one, to participate, just sit back and watch. It's a beautiful and historic art form and the Republicans should be ashamed of themselves....
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By: Ebony on 10/13/2008 11:10AM
The Conservatives are really drinking the HATERAIDE in big gulps cause they are working over time
they need to get a grip and shut up they are just mad that it is BLACK youth that are doing something positive and Obama has instilled and inspired hope in AA from cost to coast hell worldwide
GO BARAK with your bad self
I am another MAMA for OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: Maisha on 10/09/2008 8:14PM
Okay, anyone who went to college and knows about the black greek organization knows that these are the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. This are men are staying out of trouble, out of gangs, away from drugs. If you know nothing about it, best thing you could do is keep your comments to YOURSELF!!!!
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By: hooptie on 10/09/2008 8:23PM
When you say Social Programs, Do you really mean, Welfare?
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By: Maisha on 10/09/2008 8:36PM
Okay, how do we complain about kids hanging out on the streets doing nothing with their lives. Yet when we see that someone has taken the time to show kids another way. To guide them towards the right path we call them socialists??? Someone PLEASE explain this to me!!!
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By: R.J. on 10/19/2008 7:27PM
The people who are critcal of this video are more comfortable seeing young Black men incarcerated or shackeled in a police car on the evening news.To these young men ,I say keep on keeping on ,the world is yours! And to the teacher who was suspended I say hold your head up and continue what you are doing because your are doing holy work.As Shawn Combs said so eloquently "THEY WOULD RATHER SEE YOU DIE THAN SEE YOU FLY! God bless you , forever!
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By: R.J. on 10/14/2008 9:52PM
THE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM THIS POSITIVE VIDEO REFLECTS THE REAL FEAR OF THOSE, WHO FEEL THREATEN BY BARRACK OBAMA'S PRESIDENCY,THAT IT WILL YOUNG MEN LIKE THOSE IN THE VIDEO WILL BE ABLE TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND BE THE LEADERS THAT GOD CREATED THEM TO BE INSTEAD OF INMATES,MURDER VICTIMS AND TARGETS FOR RACISM.GOD IS DOING A NEW THING AND AS PRINCE SAYS IN HIS SONG THAT IS ON THE CORNEL WEST CD BMWMB(BLACK MEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS),YOUR THOUSAND YEARS ARE UP,NOW YOU'VE GOT TO SHARE THE LAND, WETHER THESE HATERS LIKE IT OR NOT, A CHANGE IS GOING TO COME!
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By: CAJones on 10/09/2008 11:05PM
If The wore boy scout uniforms, and saluted and said we are inspired by Clinton...I honestly believe there would cheers and commendations all around. Conform or you are suspect! The complaints over this just make me disgusted!! Hitler! - Badbns, I will pray for you. Hitler wanted others not like him DEAD~! is that what you see in either of these video???
Please open you mind and your eyes!
Of these young men are learning discipline...I see that a positive.
If they are inspired to seek education and not drugs - I see that as positive.
If they share these values with others - and encourage one another, I see at as positive.
It is different than what someone of another culture might do...not bad, not threatening, just different!
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By: Helen Thomas on 10/10/2008 12:56AM
So they had to wait for this man to run for president to do what they should have been inspired to do all along????
Puhleese!
I'd be happy if they would just pull up their pants.
This man is not god!!!!
In fact, his ancestors have nothing in common with most native born americans of african descent.
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