Reparations and Barak Obama

Ok...it was a bit disturbing around the time of the commemoration of Bloody Sunday. Hilary Clinton and Barak Obama were both on hand and gave speeches at separate churches. Hilary's speech - lackluster; Obama's speech - rousing as usual (that's not bias - even though it is - that's a fact...everyone knows Hilary's not a rousing speaker.) None of that was disturbing.

What was disturbing was the interview with Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta, GA. I found it quite amazing to watch and listen to him say how torn he was over who he should support - Hilary or Obama. Here's what makes it amazing - especially on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Congressman Lewis was at the original Bloody Sunday. (He's the one in the foreground, on his knees, with a billy club coming towards his head.) He endured this beating so that people who look like us - and ultimately himself - might have a say in American life...hence he's a US Congressman. So - to beg the question - how does one go from enduring a beating so that Black people in this country could one day hold the highest office in the land, to being torn on whether or not to support the first Black man who actually has a chance?

We - as a people - are idiots! I'm so tired of hearing about how much the Black community owes the Clintons? What do we owe them, and why do we owe them? Even if he did something for the Black community, do we owe him? Is that not what a President is supposed to do? Are we now to the point where we accept mediocrity and reward people for fulfilling their job descriptions? Yet, let's look at what the Clintons did do...Rwanda? What about mandatory sentencing laws and more blacks being sent to prison than under Bush I and Regan combined? (See here) But, we want to induct him into Blacks in wax museums, and call him the first Black president because he smokes weed, plays a sax and lives in (and helped gentrify) Harlem.
Maybe he is Black - after all, he did sell "his people" out...helping them spend more time behind bars.

Yet, Rep. Lewis is "torn." And, his way of thinking represents that of countless of our people. Brother Malcolm was right: the Black man is - indeed - sickest of all, politically.

Reparations makes it a no-brainer that we ought to support Obama. Not simply because he's Black (I would not recommend supporting Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton.), but essentially because he's a reputable Black candidate who not only has a great chance to win but also has a social and political savvy that will enable him to do things of which others would be incapable.

Reparations demands that we not be fooled. Many will talk of what the Clintons have done for the Black community. Where was Senator Clinton (and her White counterparts) in 2001 and in 2005 when we needed her? When Members of Congress challenged the certification of ballots in the Presidential election, she would not join the objection so that debate could go forward. We might give her a pass in 2001 - she was just sworn in, but surely in 2005 she had clout and capital to expend. Can we really trust her to stand for us?

Now, we have to "controversy" over Obama not supporting the Congressional Black Caucus. But, how relevant is the Black Caucus? As Janet would say, what have they done for us lately? I cannot recall anything the Black Caucus has done that is worthy of support. They are nothing more than the watchdog for White Democrats. For instance, the CBC's tacit-at-best support of Kweisi Mfume didn't do much to help him against Ben Cardin. Also, the Black Caucus surely lent no support to Michael Steele. As individual politicians, yes they must be aligned with their Party. But, as the Black Caucus they are to be aligned with Black people. They have yet to prove that their agenda is for our people. It all seems to be for their Party.

Reparations dictates that we cease supporting any organization that doesn't support us. Have you seen the CBC working to better the situation in your community? If so, then you might want to support them. If not, what allegiance is there to them?

For those of us serious about Reparations, Barak Obama is the choice to make. Even if he doesn't win, his candidacy is an opportunity for us to highlight the issues of race still hindering us as a people and as a Country. And, as a people disfranchised, we ought to use every opportunity to state our case.