Posted by: monkmo on 04/30/2009 02:41 AM
Updated by: monkmo on 05/02/2009 03:31 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM Obama's response to Bet Reporter's question on Black Men
My ears perked up as the BET reporter asked President Obama about the
plight of Black Men in America. See I was looking for hope, opportunity
and acknowledgment. What I received was a cold and calculated response
that sounded like Ronald Reagan. President Obama missed it as he had an
opportunity to invite Black Men in from the land of Invisibility.
Black Men as a group have been suffering under the most extreme symptoms
of this economic flu. To respond with a general statement to the plight of
million of men was profound. I thought to myself that Ralph Ellison(Author
of the Book - Invisible Man) understood what brothers were feeling during
that response. Obama magically was transformed to Reverend Homer A.
Barbee. Barbee, who is blind, delivers a speech about the legacy of the
college's founder, with such passion and resonance that he comes vividly
alive. His voice makes up for his blindness.
Black Men have been standing in America's and President Obama's blind spot
for too long. No elongate words or generic promises will ever bring us
into view. Only direct and targeted action can alleviate years of
neglected and misunderstood interest I was looking for hope, opportunity
and acknowledgment. What I got was another of America's blank checks. One
that will come back deficient on all of the above mention attributes.
We black men like the main character in Ellison's book come to the same
realization. We are in the same spot we were 8 years ago. Obama missed it.
He had chance to show us the brotherness in his collective soul. He forgot
the African saying " I am because you are. Millions of Black Men around
the country turned their backs to the TV and re assumed their roles as the
Invisible man in America. Invisible and recognizing we are in this thing
alone.
Reading list
You do not need the NY Times book review to be told what to read. We are not going to tell you either.
We will suggest a few books, magazines or newspaper articles from time to time.
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