Black in the Age of Obama

[RightField]

Black in the Age of Obama
Earl Wilson/The New York Times
Charles M. Blow

A hundred and fifty years ago, Charles Dickens opened “A Tale of Two Cities” with the now-famous phrase: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. ...”

Those words resonated with me recently while contemplating the impact of the Obama presidency on blacks in America. So far, it’s been mixed. Blacks are living a tale of two Americas — one of the ascension of the first black president with the cultural capital that accrues; the other of a collapsing quality of life and amplified racial tensions, while supporting a president who is loath to even acknowledge their pain, let alone commiserate in it.

Last year, blacks dared to dream anew, envisioning a future in which Obama’s election would be the catalyst for an era of prosperity and more racial harmony. Now that the election’s afterglow has nearly faded, the hysteria of hope is being ground against the hard stone of reality. Things have not gotten better. In many ways, they’ve gotten worse.

The recession, for one, has dealt a particularly punishing and uneven hand to blacks.

A May report from the Pew Research Center found that blacks were the most likely to get higher-priced subprime loans, leading to higher foreclosure rates. In fact, blacks have displaced Hispanics as the group with the lowest homeownership rates.

According to the most recent jobs data, not only is the unemployment rate for blacks nearly twice that of whites, the gap in some important demographics has widened rapidly since Obama took office. The unemployment rate over that time for white college graduates under 24 years old grew by about 20 percent. For their black cohorts, the rate grew by about twice that much.

And a report published last month by the Department of Agriculture found that in 2008, “food insecurity” for American households had risen to record levels, with black children being the most likely to experience that food insecurity.

Things on the racial front are just as bad.

We are now inundated with examples of overt racism on a scale to which we are unaccustomed. Any protester with a racist poster can hijack a news cycle, while a racist image can live forever on the Internet. In fact, racially offensive images of the first couple are so prolific online that Google now runs an apologetic ad with the results of image searches of them.

And it’s not all words and images; it’s actions as well. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2008 hate crimes data released last week, anti-black hate crimes rose 4 percent from 2007, while the combined hate crimes against all other racial categories declined 11 percent. If you look at the two-year trend, which would include Obama’s ascension as a candidate, anti-black hate crimes have risen 8 percent, while those against the other racial groups have fallen 19 percent.

This has had a sobering effect on blacks. According to a Nov. 9 report from Gallup, last summer 23 percent of blacks thought that race relations would get a lot better with the election of Obama. Now less than half that percentage says that things have actually gotten a lot better.

The racial animosity that Obama’s election has stirred up may have contributed to a rallying effect among blacks. According to a Gallup report published on Nov. 24, Obama’s approval rating among whites has dropped to 39 percent, but among blacks it remains above 90 percent.

Also, this hasn’t exactly been a good year for black men in the news. Plaxico Burress was locked up for accidentally shooting off a gun in a club. Henry Louis Gates Jr. was locked up for intentionally shooting off his mouth at his own home. And Michael Jackson died after being shot full of propofol. Chris Brown brutally beat Rihanna. Former Representative William Jefferson was convicted. And most recently, the “personal failings” of Tiger Woods portray him as an alley cat. Meanwhile, the most critically acclaimed black movie of the year, “Precious,” features a black man who rapes and twice impregnates his own daughter. Rooting for the president feels like a nice counterbalance.

However, the rallying creates a conundrum for blacks: how to air anxiety without further arming Obama’s enemies. This dilemma has rendered blacks virtually voiceless on some pressing issues at a time when their voices would have presumably held greater sway.

This means that Obama can get away with doing almost nothing to specifically address issues important to African-Americans and instead focus on the white voters he’s losing in droves. This has not gone unnoticed. In the Nov. 9 Gallup poll, the number of blacks who felt that Obama would not go far enough in promoting efforts to aid the black community jumped 60 percent from last summer to now.

The hard truth is that Obama needs white voters more than he needs black ones.

According to my analysis, even if every black person in America had stayed home on Election Day, Obama would still be president. To a large degree, Obama was elected by white people, some of whom were more able to accept him because he consciously portrayed himself as racially ambiguous.

In fact, commiserating with the blacks could prove politically problematic.

In a study to be published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences this month, researchers asked subjects to rate images of the president to determine which ones best represented his “true essence.” In some of the photos, his skin had been lightened. In others, it had been darkened. The result? The more people identified him with the “whiter” images, the more likely they were to have voted for him, and vice versa.

The Age of Obama, so far at least, seems less about Obama as a black community game-changer than as a White House gamesman. It’s unclear if there will be a positive Obama Effect, but an Obama Backlash is increasingly apparent. Meanwhile, black people are also living a tale of two actions: grin and bear it.

This is an interesting article. I find it scandalous that black unemployment is so high. I also find it distasteful that there's a perception of a racial 'backlash' and think that any kind of discrimination is unacceptable.

I'm a Republican because I believe that there should be equal opportunity (I didn't say equal outcomes - that should be based on ability, intiative and other factors based in a free country) and that we should have a society based on merit and, as MLK said "people are judged on the content of their character." However, the disparety pointed out in this article shows that we're not there yet.

What are your thoughts and what should we (our society, not necessarily our government) do about it?

 

[where]

This is an interesting article. I find it scandalous that black unemployment is so high. I also find it distasteful that there's a perception of a racial 'backlash' and think that any kind of discrimination is unacceptable.

I'm a Republican because I believe that there should be equal opportunity (I didn't say equal outcomes - that should be based on ability, intiative and other factors based in a free country) and that we should have a society based on merit and, as MLK said "people are judged on the content of their character." However, the disparety pointed out in this article shows that we're not there yet.

What are your thoughts and what should we (our society, not necessarily our government) do about it?

the guy who wrote it must be some kind of a commie or socialist to think that the kind of critique aimed at obama by the likes of busybody is racist.
[/snark]

seriously, it took this article to point out to you that black people in america don't have equality of opportunity? what country do you live in?

 

[Holy Devil]

Blacks have done well for themselves in the US. Too well. I'm for the Native Americans.

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

Stop letting the fear of being labeled a racist being used to force us to condone the "alternative" lifestyle of a large segment of the black population.
__________________
The altruists are now... struggling to induce racial guilt -- by proclaiming that people must suffer and pay for the (alleged) sins of their father.

There is no such thing as collective guilt. This country has no guilt to atone for in regard to its black citizens. Slavery was an enormous evil. But a country that fought a civil war to abolish slavery has atoned for it.

How can an individual be held responsible for the views of others, whom he has no power to control? What can make him responsible for them? The answer we hear is: The fact that his skin is of the same color as theirs.

If this is not an obliteration of morality, of intellectual integrity, of individual rights, of the freedom of man's mind, of the First Amendment, you take it from here; I can't -- it turns my stomach."
Ayn Rand

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

the guy who wrote it must be some kind of a commie or socialist to think that the kind of critique aimed at obama by the likes of busybody is racist.
[/snark]

seriously, it took this article to point out to you that black people in america don't have equality of opportunity? what country do you live in?

The have equality of opportunity and willfully, of their own volition, throw it away and adopt an appearance and habit which makes it virtually impossible for them to get hired, and then they blame the white man.

I get enough of that when I visit the reservation.

 

[busybody..]

can someone gimme a 1 liner

what was said

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

Let's not forget the New Deal and all the altruistic liberal programs which broke up the black family and sent dad to the curb where he learned to live like an ally cat.

 

[busybody..]

Stop letting the fear of being labeled a racist being used to force us to condone the "alternative" lifestyle of a large segment of the black population.
__________________
The altruists are now... struggling to induce racial guilt -- by proclaiming that people must suffer and pay for the (alleged) sins of their father.

There is no such thing as collective guilt. This country has no guilt to atone for in regard to its black citizens. Slavery was an enormous evil. But a country that fought a civil war to abolish slavery has atoned for it.

How can an individual be held responsible for the views of others, whom he has no power to control? What can make him responsible for them? The answer we hear is: The fact that his skin is of the same color as theirs.

If this is not an obliteration of morality, of intellectual integrity, of individual rights, of the freedom of man's mind, of the First Amendment, you take it from here; I can't -- it turns my stomach."
Ayn Rand

http://www.moonbattery.com/shout_racist.jpg

 

[busybody..]

This is an interesting article. I find it scandalous that black unemployment is so high. ?

their ranks are always UNEMPLOYED

even in good times

why work, when you get shit for free

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

Trim your siggy, or at least learn how to size things...

 

[RightField]

the guy who wrote it must be some kind of a commie or socialist to think that the kind of critique aimed at obama by the likes of busybody is racist.
[/snark]

seriously, it took this article to point out to you that black people in america don't have equality of opportunity? what country do you live in?

The author is a black columnist at the New York Times.

There's a lot of equality of opportunity here and it's getting better all the time. There's been massive investments in schools all across the nation and many programs implemented to improve the equality of education. The fact that President Obama grew up relatively poor, a child of a broken home and went to Harvard Business School, became a Senator and then President is one small testament to the opportunity in our schools.

The court systems and law enforcement have similarly been reshaped. Laws against discrimination touch every aspect of our contract law, employment and virtually every other aspect of our lives.

This is not to say that everything is perfect, but it's a lot better than it was 50 years ago.

 

[where]

The have equality of opportunity and willfully, of their own volition, throw it away and adopt an appearance and habit which makes it virtually impossible for them to get hired, and then they blame the white man.

I get enough of that when I visit the reservation.

substandard health, education and housing do not equate to equality of opportunity. and to argue that they 'chose' to be unemployed is specious as stats clearly show that those who are employed get paid lower rates and are laid off sooner than white people.

and how about equality of opportunity in terms of justice? a black person killing a white person is 11 times more likely to face execution than white people killing black people. where is the equality there?

your country is riddled with discrimination. Just like mine.

 

[where]

The author is a black columnist at the New York Times.

There's a lot of equality of opportunity here and it's getting better all the time. There's been massive investments in schools all across the nation and many programs implemented to improve the equality of education. The fact that President Obama grew up relatively poor, a child of a broken home and went to Harvard Business School, became a Senator and then President is one small testament to the opportunity in our schools.

The court systems and law enforcement have similarly been reshaped. Laws against discrimination touch every aspect of our contract law, employment and virtually every other aspect of our lives.

This is not to say that everything is perfect, but it's a lot better than it was 50 years ago.

well yes, black people aren't forced to attend separate schools anymore and a black man is far less likely to be murdered just for looking at a white women. so saying it's a lot better than 50 years ago isn't really saying much, is it?

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

substandard health, education and housing do not equate to equality of opportunity. and to argue that they 'chose' to be unemployed is specious as stats clearly show that those who are employed get paid lower rates and are laid off sooner than white people.

and how about equality of opportunity in terms of justice? a black person killing a white person is 11 times more likely to face execution than white people killing black people. where is the equality there?

your country is riddled with discrimination. Just like mine.

You think ALL black people are subject to those conditions or that they are the special purview of the black community and that more whites don't suffer the same conditions?

America is not as bad as your imagination is leading you to believe.

Because the black person found guilty of murder was more likely a gang-banger than a white guy because they choose a lifestyle and eschew school because it's too "white."

The bucks fucking do it too. Sabumnim says, "All they got to do is get a job. I did!"

 

[RightField]

well yes, black people aren't forced to attend separate schools anymore and a black man is far less likely to be murdered just for looking at a white women. so saying it's a lot better than 50 years ago isn't really saying much, is it?

President Obama made it through and seems to have thrived.

What do you think of his statement that "President Obama needs white voters more than black?"

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

well yes, black people aren't forced to attend separate schools anymore and a black man is far less likely to be murdered just for looking at a white women. so saying it's a lot better than 50 years ago isn't really saying much, is it?

Explain Obama.

Holder.

Franklin Delano Raines...

Clarence Thomas.

Thomas Sowell.

Walter E. Williams.

If they had no opportunity, then are they Affirmative Action successes?

I know employers loving having me so they could check a box...

Or did they succeed upon their merits in a land of opportunity?
__________________
"In America, anybody can be president. That's one of the risks you take."
Adlai Stevenson

 

[Samuelx]

whites won't be the majority anymore. it's not ALL about money, but it's about numbers. more people of color will be born in the USA of today and tomorrow than whites. wealthy whites will stick to their enclaves, use their political puppets and leave numeral and demographical domination of the land to people of color...its righteous owners.

 

[Holy Devil]

Stop letting the fear of being labeled a racist being used to force us to condone the "alternative" lifestyle of a large segment of the black population.
__________________
The altruists are now... struggling to induce racial guilt -- by proclaiming that people must suffer and pay for the (alleged) sins of their father.

There is no such thing as collective guilt. This country has no guilt to atone for in regard to its black citizens. Slavery was an enormous evil. But a country that fought a civil war to abolish slavery has atoned for it.

How can an individual be held responsible for the views of others, whom he has no power to control? What can make him responsible for them? The answer we hear is: The fact that his skin is of the same color as theirs.

If this is not an obliteration of morality, of intellectual integrity, of individual rights, of the freedom of man's mind, of the First Amendment, you take it from here; I can't -- it turns my stomach."
Ayn Rand

You know I love your threads, Chicano. I love this thread to. But after seeing the constant postings of Kybelle, ChipButty, Blunty and Busybody's on almost every thread, just want to make me puke and go to my usual neverending threads. I have lots of friends there. No trolls. Adios.

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

You know I love your threads, Chicano. I love this thread to. But after seeing the constant postings of Kybelle, ChipButty, Blunty and Busybody's on almost every thread, just want to make me puke and go to my usual neverending threads. I have lots of friends there. No trolls. Adios.

Adios amigo...

 

[where]

You think ALL black people are subject to those conditions or that they are the special purview of the black community and that more whites don't suffer the same conditions?

America is not as bad as your imagination is leading you to believe.

Because the black person found guilty of murder was more likely a gang-banger than a white guy because they choose a lifestyle and eschew school because it's too "white."

The bucks fucking do it too. Sabumnim says, "All they got to do is get a job. I did!"

President Obama made it through and seems to have thrived.

What do you think of his statement that "President Obama needs white voters more than black?"

Explain Obama.

Holder.

Franklin Delano Raines...

Clarence Thomas.

Thomas Sowell.

Walter E. Williams.

If they had no opportunity, then are they Affirmative Action successes?

I know employers loving having me so they could check a box...

Or did they succeed upon their merits in a land of opportunity?
__________________
"In America, anybody can be president. That's one of the risks you take."
Adlai Stevenson

I am not saying that black people or mixed race people (who, again statisticallly do better than black black people) have no chance to achieve. many of them do, but, and you read anything any of the people you cited have ever said on the subject, they have to work much much harder at it.

and are you saying that a black gang murder of a white person is somehow worse than a white person murdering a black person? murder is murder, right?

and obviously Obama needs white voters more than black, because 1) they make up the majority of the population and 2) white hegemony means that whoever is president has to not piss off those who actually control business, finance and politics.

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

whites won't be the majority anymore. it's not ALL about money, but it's about numbers. more people of color will be born in the USA of today and tomorrow than whites. wealthy whites will stick to their enclaves, use their political puppets and leave numeral and demographical domination of the land to people of color...its righteous owners.

Seek professional help...

 

[where]

Seek professional help...

is that it? ffs. would think you could debate better than that.

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

I am not saying that black people or mixed race people (who, again statisticallly do better than black black people) have no chance to achieve. many of them do, but, and you read anything any of the people you cited have ever said on the subject, they have to work much much harder at it.

and are you saying that a black gang murder of a white person is somehow worse than a white person murdering a black person? murder is murder, right?

and obviously Obama needs white voters more than black, because 1) they make up the majority of the population and 2) white hegemony means that whoever is president has to not piss off those who actually control business, finance and politics.

No, the gang-banger does it with no remorse because it's his adoptive life-style while most other murders are crimes of compassion with no remorse, but look, Charlie Manson ain't getting out of jail and the guy who just went wacko up in the NW WAS a product of affirmative-action justice...



Lose a little of your stereotype...

 

[Frisco_Slug_Esq]

is that it? ffs. would think you could debate better than that.

I'm not here to debate, I'm here to have a discussion, like I said, if I want to hear that racist nonsense, I'll just go to Oklahoma and listen to the lament of the lazy buck...

 

[where]

No, the gang-banger does it with no remorse because it's his adoptive life-style while most other murders are crimes of compassion with no remorse, but look, Charlie Manson ain't getting out of jail and the guy who just went wacko up in the NW WAS a product of affirmative-action justice...



Lose a little of your stereotype...

lose YOUR stereotype. the statistics show you have fuck all chance in the criminal justice system if you are black. if you are white, you are home free. and for every OJ with a slick lawyer, there are dozens of nameless white guys who get away with it.