Reparations, the Democratic Primary and the race for the White House

I had a conversation with a sister a few days ago who was faced with a decision: should she support the first woman or first Black as President. I guess that's a valid concern. Yet, for those of us who care about the community - for those of us who work with and organize in the community - the issue is null.

Reparations demands that we support Barack Obama. I told the sister: a President Obama does more for the Black community than a President Clinton (Bill and Hilary combined) could ever do...even if Obama does nothing specifically for Black people.

Obama hasn't run as the Black candidate. But, he has run as the "hope" candidate to restore hope to America. And, we all can agree that one of the major detriments to the Black community is the loss of hope. And, the argument to the youth has always been that they can "be anything they want to be." Have you heard that argument before?

If you are active in the community and have either heard or used that argument, I'm sure you've heard a rebuttal. That rebuttal usually takes form as something like, "a Black man in this Country doesn't have a chance." Or, "all I can be is an entertainer or a prisoner."

Imagine the effect Obama can have on our work in the community after winning the Democratic Nomination. Imagine the effect Obama can have on our work with the youth while he's sitting in the White House as President of the United States. Imagine how much we can do when Black youth see a Black man in the highest office in the land. Imagine the hope that would inspire. Can you see the impact this would have on the young, ambitious inner-city child who has a desire to be great? Do you see the affirmation felt by the young child who has been mocked for "dreaming too big?"

An outlook of Reparations requires us to seize every opportunity to advance the cause of our people. Many disparities can be overcome by an infusion of hope. Even Jesse Jackson understood that if we "keep hope alive" there is no limit to what we can achieve. Here is an opportunity for us to "see it in our lifetime." Many luminaries have always said that we cannot - will not - see it in our lifetime. Yet, here - in our lifetime - we have the opportunity to "see it."

And, this is truly the reparations view. This view does not rely on the President to do anything in particular, except be. Barack Obama will be a successful President. We don't need him to be a successful Black President. Our hope is - has always been - to come to a point where we can transcend race and become American.

Dr. King's "Dream" embodied that hope. He hoped we would be able to equalize things in this Country. He said the halls of justice could not be bankrupt. With hope, we as Black people may again be inspired to achieve the American Dream. And once we have the chance to bask in the blessings of democracy and the economic and social benefits that it brings, we too can transcend race and become fully American.

Don't be fooled by politics as usual. Don't be fooled by the Clinton machine. Don't be fooled into thinking that the Clintons care about Black people. They are (a major) part of the establishment. During the Clinton years, more Black people went to prison than under the Reagan and Bush I presidencies. During the Clinton years, over one million Rwandans were massacred while Bill stood on the sidelines. Yet, he was quick to prevent genocide in Kosovo. Don't be fooled.

"Someday" has arrived! Now is the time in which "we shall overcome." Let us rise to the challenge. Come and get your Reparations!