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President Barack Obama's former mentor at Harvard University, Charles Ogletree, took the time to explain how Obama works with Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been instrumental in connecting the Obama agenda to the African American community. According to Ogletree, Sharpton is a "lightning rod" for President Obama in the inner city, helping him to take important issues from the White House to the streets of America.
During the black leadership summit held by Sharpton this weekend, called "Measuring the Movement," the preacher and civil rights leader explained that Obama "has to work both for us and for others" and that if Obama had an agenda that linked directly to race "that would only organize the right against him."
Ogletree went further to describe the relationship between Sharpton and Obama:
"Al Sharpton has become the lightning rod in moving Obama's agenda forward," Ogletree told the Associated Press. "And he has access to both the streets and the suites to make sure that the people who are voiceless, faceless and powerless finally have some say."
During the convention, Ogletree acknowledged some of the disappointment felt within the African American community that the president has not done more for them. Sharpton is dealing with his share of critics as well. The cover of the Washington Post featured a picture of Sharpton with the title: "Activist Al Sharpton Takes on New Role as Administration Ally."
Rev. Sharpton doesn't seem to agree with this assessment:
"I've been as much in this White House as I was in George [W.] Bush's -- it's only when Bush invited me to the White House, it was him reaching out; when Obama invites me, all of a sudden, we're allies," said Sharpton.
I spoke with Ogletree briefly during the Black Leadership Forum held by Sharpton this weekend. I've always respected the outstanding work of Ogletree and consider him to be every bit as impactful as the late Johnny Cochran when it comes to representing the black legal community. When speaking with Melinda Hightower, president of the National Black Law Students Association, I was told just how instrumental Ogletree has been in the development of the organization. Given that there are fewer black students admitted to law school, Ogletree's work becomes that much more important.
Ogletree's assessment of Sharpton as a point of connection between the White House and the streets of black America appears to be accurate. While I don't consider Al Sharpton to be a direct ally of President Obama, the truth is that he has shown himself to be more likely to work with the president than against him. Any president, whether it is Obama or someone else, needs an individual like Sharpton to serve as a conductor of ideas to the black community.
Sharpton is also correct that any black agenda pursued directly by President Obama would create a long list of right-wing enemies who would undermine his time in the White House. Fortunately, the goal is to simply get results and the passing of important legislation, not to have the president ballyhoo the racial dimensions of his work in our government. While screaming about a black agenda from the roof of the White House might appease those who'd rather have Hillary Clinton or John McCain as president, the truth is that it is best for Obama to be a bit more pragmatic. We must also remember that challenging him, criticizing him and putting pressure on him is something that he WANTS us to do. Ogletree made a similar point during the panel discussion in which we were both participating this weekend.
The great expectation of Sharpton, or anyone else in his position, is that this power and access to the White House be used in an honest and forthright way, with the agenda of the community being forced to the top of the president's list of priorities. As I am sure Rev. Sharpton understands, there's a difference between working with someone and allowing someone to use you. From all indicators I've seen thus far, Sharpton's access to the president will have a net benefit for the African American community, and Sharpton has not presented himself as a flunky to President Obama. The larger questions, however, will be answered by the end of 2010, when we are able to see the final results on black unemployment, as well as other indicators of our quality of life. At some point, everyone involved in the process is going to be held fully accountable.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the new book, 'Black American Money.' To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 
Comments: (16)
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By: Soul Pundit on 4/19/2010 2:53AM
After reviewing the article, I was a bit confused. Is Sharpton the conduit from the White House to the streets or the African-American community? Really? Really?
I have to take issue whenever I see the tendency to create the black community as a monolithic group. When other communities do it, we cry foul, it would be irresponsible not to call it on ourselves.
Additionally, there is no evidence provided to back up this claim that Sharpton is now somehow Obama's ambassador to the ghetto. Sharpton directly denies this according to the article? The following statement is listed in your article:
"Any president, whether it is Obama or someone else, needs an individual like Sharpton to serve as a conductor of ideas to the black community."
I have to take issue here and ask someone to show me how he is the conductor and when did Al ascend to the throne?
Other than that though, loved the piece.
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By: Grandma K on 4/19/2010 12:02PM
The reply from Soul Pundit is on point. There is nothing wrong with advocacy, but until we have "core values" most of what was stressed at the podium will fall on deaf ears. We need to challenge those folks who speak in monolithic tones. Rev. Sharpton's does bring forward those issues that need to be heard. However, until the mindset of folks change, i.e. our culture not to enbrace and love each other, support our community economically, and truly value the concept of getting an education beyond high school, forums or not, we have a long way to go before we see positive change, President Obama or not... I don't need a fire lit underneath me for me to get it...
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By: joe caprio on 4/20/2010 11:56PM
THE REVERAND IS FIERCILY LOYAL TO PEOPLE OF COLOR AND OTHERS THAT ARE OPPRESSED IN THE INNER CITY.WHY WOULD IT BE WRONG FOR HIM TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR GOOD FOR THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT? I DON'T GET IT. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
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By: David1 on 4/19/2010 10:55AM
Al Sharpton is about looking out for his own interest. He feeds off the misery of poor blacks. President Obama is showing his lack of interest in addressing the issues many poor blacks are facing by reaching out to this clown Sharpton. Sharpton promotes himself as someone who is a champaign of the poor but now wont say a critical word against Obama who could do a lot to help that poor population.
The whole point of Obama reaching out to this clown was to silence him and Obama succeed. Sharpton doesn't not speak for the black poor he speaks for his own interests. Unfortunately the black poor are not well informed and are ripe for being exploited by the likes of people like Al Sharpton. President Obama is showing he is out of touch with black people if he thinks Al Sharpton has any influence with blacks. But I don't think Obama even cares. The fact that President Obama has given this clown any credibility tells me he's not interested in addressing any concerns of black people.
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By: Dorothiea Roberts on 4/19/2010 9:43PM
You are so right! Al got nothing but Al, on his mind. I as a Black Woman should know! check out this site: http://theanatomyofracism.com
We Need To Wake Up!
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By: Gerald on 5/09/2010 9:06PM
Thats right, Obama doesnt care for anyone but himself.If you dont agree with this jerk then he has a tantrum,doesnt care about the USA.When we do get a black in the oval office he is a buffoon.
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By: tell the truth on 4/19/2010 6:43PM
Whatever. Obama is a user, and Sharpton is an opportunist. he wouldn't've spat in Al's direction, much less align himself with this big bag of air if he were sure of retaining the seats in Nov (which he won't).
Now all of a sudden, he NEEDS the fellow CROOK and LIAR to assist him. Even though he did NOT give the Black Community self-identifiable GRANTS in his H/C B.S., but he gave American Indians 11 grants, specified for them ONLY!
But, now he wants us to vote for his party; the party that hated blacks, AND tried to keep slavery thriving in the South. It was the REPUGS that fought to end slavery, and who demanded that Congress do so, and they did.
So BLACK PEOPLE, perhaps you need to do some investigating of your own, instead of believing the hype and B.S. of our so-called black leaders; who are robbing the black community by leaning on our "faith based" system. Eff that- hit the books, get some smarts!
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By: sandra on 4/22/2010 12:49PM
We already kow who is robbing the black community: white racists such as yourself.
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By: rbk84 on 4/19/2010 12:21PM
Afraid of a right wing backlash, what the hell do you call these teabaggers. If Obama is afraid of whats right in front of him, then there is no hope for any issues for the black community. The right wing movement went into full swing when he was sworn in, and has;nt let up since. The covert racism that was at least not in your face, has become emboldent and overt under Obama. Obama is a dangerous person because of his lack of radicalism in the position of power he holds. America's politics are built on radicalism because the people are radicals themselves. Enough time has'nt pass by that the America Obama envisions can come to pass. Equality will not be given, it has to be legislated, because thats how things are done at this time in America. Thats just the facts. This country is still evolving and there are those who are set on keeping it from evolving, and Obama at times fall into that trap when he uses the term, the founding fathers. That phrase has to be eliminated for it hides a racial undertone that has been used by the right at every juncture to reinforce their racist beliefs. As for Rev Al, this guy enjoys the spotlight and making money. He has no shame about what he's doing, and has learned to say what black people want to hear. Sure he can organise a protest and go to jail for a night,but what happens after that night in jail is for his benefit. His legacy is in tack, and his ability to make more money is heighten. He is worst than a pimp.
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By: E on 4/19/2010 12:29PM
To Soulpundit and David1. I don't see your point. What's wrong with Sharpton being a conduit? He has put his life on the line for Blacks his entire adult life. Can I say that about you two? Who else is supposed to do it? Two self hating cornballs like you two?
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