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President Barack Obama marked his 100th day in office with a primetime televised press conference. Covering a wide gamut of issues, from swine flu to waterboarding to the auto bailout, it wasn't until close to the end of the nearly hour-long press conference that he fielded a question relating specifically to the black community.
"As the entire nation tries to climb out of this deep recession, in communities of color, the circumstances are far worse," said Andre Showell of BET. "The black unemployment rate, as you know, is in the double digits. And in New York City, for example, the black unemployment rate for men is near 50 percent. My question to you tonight is: given this unique and desperate circumstance, what specific policies can you point to that will target these communities and what's the timetable for us to see tangible results?"
In a very carefully worded answer the president explained that his administration's plans for Americans who are down on their luck -- such as extending unemployment insurance and health care coverage for those who have lost their jobs -- will help all such people. He added that blacks and Latinos tend to be "overrepresented" among the unemployed, and so these measures benefit us.
He also said:
When we put in place additional dollars for community health centers to ensure that people are still getting the help that they need, or we expand health insurance to millions more children through the Children's Health Insurance Program, again, those probably disproportionately impact African-American and Latino families simply because they're the ones who are most vulnerable. They have got higher rates of uninsured in their communities.
So my general approach is that if the economy is strong, that will lift all boats as long as it is also supported by, for example, strategies around college affordability and job training, tax cuts for working families as opposed to the wealthiest that level the playing field and ensure bottom-up economic growth.
And I'm confident that that will help the African-American community live out the American dream at the same time that it's helping communities all across the country."
What do you think of the president's response? Does the what-benefits-everyone-will-benefit-blacks approach work for you, or do you want to see more specific plans for addressing black unemployment, health disparities, and other problems we face?
Comments: (89)
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By: B. Smith on 4/30/2009 3:09AM
I watched the President's press conference and participated in the Report Card poll on CNN. I saw the first part of the BET "analysis" of the Press conference, which focused on not having heard the President answer the question posed by the BET reporter. I watched the Press Conference two more times, to be sure that I could observe the reporter before he asked his question. Just as I thought ( since I HAD HEARD his question answered), he was only there to ask THAT question! He was not there to deal with ANYTHING else and when the BLACK PRESIDENT answered as the President of the United States, BET was not happy. The reporter sat and looked bored, watched the other reporters, never made any notes, asked his question, sat down and waited for the PC to end. The President, as usual, was diplomatic in his answer. He didn't embarrass him by saying -
(1) Those were also the umployment percentages for African-American males BEFORE the recession; (2) We ( Yes, I'm African-American!) will STILL get MORE than our fair share and (3) There will NOT be any SPECIAL treatment of us versus any other American in the same situation. Since when did BET get interested in news, national issues,
a black agenda? You're not even multi-dimensional in your coverage of "entertainment"!
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By: Pay Attention on 5/04/2009 11:22AM
LOL, that was funny.
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By: Dionigi on 5/15/2009 10:02AM
B. Smith, i understand you but unfortunately i have to disagree with you. I must say that I have friends from all walks of life and ethnicities,I'm multi-lingual and very well educated on cultural affairs;however, we as African Americans are an inherent an essential component of the American Social structure, meaning that we are not immigrants we are just as American as White and Native Americans. Every race sticks together, I can tell you from first hand experience that Latinos have their own agenda, and we blacks need to focus on ours. I really had a problem with the President and comparing our plight to Hispanics who began massively immigrating to the U.S. only after the 1960s, hence after the Civil Rights movement led by African Americans; however, although we are disproportionately compared to hispanics considering the 12 million illegal hispnic immigrants and migrant workers, they seem to be much more prosperous.Cuban immigrants were handed business loans upon their arrival in the 70s as well as U.S. citizenship carte blanche practically, and in many cases they refuse to even speak English. The U.S.capitalistic system caters to Hispanics in that most large corporations are requiring skilled workers to speak spanish and they are considered minorities just like african americans who have a lineage that dates back to well over 300 years. I saw on Lou Dobbs how the goverment provides loop holes to keep Americans unemployed, and to hire Hispnanics instead.
The president wasn't all inclusive in his dichotomous response. My point is, let's fix the problems of segregation and racism that have existed and been ignored for centries and then focus on the new problems.
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By: W. Williams on 4/30/2009 5:53AM
To B. Smith
I agree that the question was very "pointed" and did not get the answer that BET and many other African-Americans were hoping for. Let me re-phrase that...did not get the type of answer they hoped to hear. We can all agree that this historic election has provided the African-American community with a sense of belonging never before experienced in the American diaspora and with that the feeling of a unique and unprecedented "seat at the table." The reporter and BET may have been looking for an answer that reflected that new "insiders" position. The President responded in his normal eloquent and inclusive tone that is the mark of his persona and makes him a great American President. And, I don't think the question was a surprise to him. What I believe is truly significant is that BET was represented at the press conference at all...which may be another first in this historic period
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By: Pay Attention on 5/04/2009 11:22AM
I agree the answer was very inclusive not specific at all. However, as the American not black president, he has to steer clear of answers that make him appear "boxed." There is a downside and upside to that but, that's what the game is all about. I must say I was personally disappointed with the president's answer. I wanted him to be more specific. But as you stated, it was great that BET was even there and called on. I hope that as AAs, with all the support we've shown him so far, that we don't retract that support because of things like this.
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By: Judy Lynn Clark Ferguson on 4/30/2009 8:35AM
If everyone had been paying attention they would not had to look at a report card or viewed his 100 day address. It has been truly shown that the President of the United States of America has "NO POWER" it your GREEDY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION HARLOTS who holds the cards for our life with special interest, lobbyist,PAC, and other pimps on Capital Hill. We are suffering at the hands of professional politicians for their own self interest. I am sick of being prostituted against my will and taken across borders that I would never want to go. The Democratic base is strong and it is time for us to come togeter and kick Ass on Capitol Hill by voting them out of office. The world has changed and we need new ideal and new brains. We are sick and tired of the old way that Washington works and it is time to do something about it.
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By: gary on 4/30/2009 5:10PM
you are spot on. obama is not making the change that blacks and all minorities want or need. it is the washington trickle down theory again. he sometimes makes me think he is not proud of his heritage.
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By: Vee on 4/30/2009 9:03AM
I watched the press conference also and agree that BET was poised only to ask that question. I will not make any judgements on the president at this time other than he's working very hard and unlike other presidents he has taken office with a whole lot on his plate.
He's also knows that he got 96% of the Black vote. He's not stupid. So I am prepared to give him more time to address the needs of Urban America despite our dire needs. Let's be frank if McCain was elected, BET would not even be in the room. So lets think hard before starting the attack.
Here my take http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuB1bOjPjEU
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By: Hard Work Pays on 4/30/2009 9:58AM
" Let's be frank if McCain was elected, BET would not even be in the room. So lets think hard before starting the attack."
Ghyrl, please tell them. If Hillary was elected they would not even be recognized. The crabs in a barrel effect is starting to rise again after we worked so beautifully together to bring a black president to the White House. Lets be real. Some of our people are not even looking for as job, much less a legitimate one. They want fast money the easiest way possible so they can front and pose with things they can't even afford. The president has already told EVERYBODY to step up their education game so we all can be more competitive, not just nationally, but globally. Thats your answer. Who is going to hire you without skills or an education? What is he to do? Demand that some companies set aside jobs for blacks only? Get up out of your beds before 1 pm, step away from blogs on Jay Z ans Beyonce;s success and watching video shows on BET all day and learn a skill to improve your chances of being more successful. Get off of the street corners and out of your love nests in the middle of the day making babies you can't afford. President Obama is not going to drop a job in your lap or give you special favors. Look how hard he had to work to get where he is. You will have to hit the pavement like everybody else and meet the qualifications. Stop whining and start grinding.
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By: gary on 4/30/2009 5:12PM
lets be frank, with all respect, john mccain wasn't elected! had hillary been elected you wouldn't have to ask about the addressing of the female needs.
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