Neutral

While I concur that Obama spoke truth about a segment of the African American community, I concur with an earlier blogger who stated that we have been creating excellence in our community, and that black men and women have been loving each other and raising successful black children long before the Obamas. I love the Obama's example and appreciate their work and famiy so this is not a hate message. I am frustrated, however, with Obama's continual messages of personal responsibility targeted to the African American and recently, the African community. First, Obama needs to know that not everyone in our community needs a father, nor are all black men irreponsible about raising their children, despite his personal abandonment issues; work that out at home. We no longer want to serve as a foil for him. Secondly, we took responsibility when we put our fears and reservations aside to mobilize, organize, canvas, and contribute our money to get him elected. There are millions in our community who take responsibility each day by going to work and school, volunteering, worshiping, lifting up others and remaining loyal to this nation (which has not been kind to us), despite enormous structural challenges. Obama reminds me of the benevolent White father of old who felt that he was our community's savior -- patronizing and unable to really see us, but certain that he knows what is in our best interest. He talks about change, but with respect to African Americans he treats us the same. He goes to a very limited number of venues sponsored by successful blacks, eats chicken with them and taps into their frustrations by speaking only about the short-comings of the most disenfranchise segment of our community, rather than substantially about what he will deliver. He promises nothing really and then leaves. Imagine how great it would have been if Obama would have really addressed the diversity in our community during one of his series of personal-responsibility speeches, and discussed matters that affect the depth and breath of experiences and thought as well as economic levels and related interests that exist among African Americans. We are more than the American underclass. We are working and professional class people, as well as affluent and influential. I would have liked to hear about what he is doing to stimulate small business development in our communities, to promote increased college attendence (actual policy and strategies rather than vague mention of education bill. How does his new system work?),and what he is doing to drive down crime. What about tax credits for home owners and for those who chose not to utilize the public schools, as well as estate taxes, jobs and healthcare policies relevant to our community? Wouldn't it have been great if he had a substantial conversation with African Americans about policy period, and his agenda for the African American community? He has never been that specific. Oh, that's right he is not the Black people's president. He mentioned a Department of Urban Policy at the NAACP dinner, but this does not necessarily translate into policy for African Americans like the Office on Hispanic Americans does for that community. Again, he gave no specifics. We have been waiting to hear more from Obama. How much longer should we wait? Until the entire store is gone, and we are pushed further down the socio-economic ladder?

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