by George E. Curry, NNPA Columnist
Many African-Americans are asking: Now that Barack Obama has won the White House, will he be so eager to govern from the center that he will forget about his obligations to Blacks?Click here to read the rest of the story. Why would anyone doubt that Obama policies and appointments will be viewed positively by the Black community?
Valerie Jarrett, a long-time friend and one of his closest advisers, gave an emphatic reply to that question - No.
In a private meeting with the Trotter Group, an organization of African-American columnists, Jarrett fielded numerous questions about Obama’s commitment to Blacks. And, in each instance, she left no doubt that the president-elect, who has a straight-A Senate rating from the NAACP, will remain true to his past.
8 comments:
I think that some are setting the bar at issues such as reparations or an all black cabinet
If the bar is that high, then he will fail (in their eyes)
I just feel like this is a way to create division amongst Obama supporters and our community in general.
I'm not sure at all why people would start to question Obama so soon. He has done everything right up to this point and deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Tariq - I think that he will be a remarkable president, however, I think we should cut the brother some slack. It has only been a couple of weeks since the election. Personally, I think that the folks he has named are outstanding...
Esquire - I think you are right. Let's not buy into the hype that this tricksters are trying to sell us...
I believe that we are afraid due to the past results of high ranking Blacks in corporate America. The results were disappointing because when the glass ceiling was broken, there was no major increase in the numbers of us being moved up the corporate ladder. I expect the Pres. Obama will have a good representation of blacks but not at the level we are hoping for to compensate for the decades of being passed over for positions in the White House.
I don't exactly understand this question of "will he remember his obligation to us?".
I don't have any special expectations from President Obama because he is Black.
If Hillary had been elected would we expect her to appoint mostly women? I think it is unrealistic and unfair.
And I think it smacks of the favoritism (of Blacks) that so many white Americans were afraid of. I thought their fears of having a Black president would mean they would suffer was ridiculous and I think these grand expectation of some Black groups is equally ridiculous.
Hello there!
Having a straight-A senate rating from the N.A.A.C.P. is supposed to be special? Is Valerie joking?
{shaking my head}
While I don't expect Obama to become a "black" president while in the Oval Office, I do hope that he doesn't turn into a Cablanasian president...
Lisa
The squeakiest wheel gets the oil.
No squeaks, no oil.
Cliff - We have the top attorney in America now. Eric Holder will become the first African American to ever hold that position. I think that Donna Rice will be a Black female setting American foreign policy as the National Security Advisor in an Obama White House. But, at the end of the day ... we have the president ... what else matters?
Urban Scientist - I do expect Obama to give African Americans and other people of color more opportunities than we would have in a Hillary Clinton, John McCain or GW Bush administration. That is an expectation when 95% of Blacks and 67% of Hispanics help swing the election in your favor...
Lisa - Cablanasian (smile>!
KIT - You're probably very much on point. Blacks, Hispanics and others need to ensure that any issues, causes, or leaders we want to be dealt with over the coming weeks and months are in the mix. We need to be heard...
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