Speak Out!
Job First?
Sun, 02/22/2009 - 22:28 | PoliticsIn a Washington Post op-ed piece, Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat who represents Missouri's 5th Congressional District and was Kansas City's first black mayor, argues that he knows a little something about the unrealistic expectations of a constituency.
I…tried to explain that Obama will be the first black president, not the black president first. While it isn't my intention to hold up any critic of the president-elect to censure, I want to remind all those who strongly support the president-elect and wish desperately for him to succeed: If you like the honey, don't kick over the beehive.Since Obama's historic Nov. 4 victory, there has been much discussion in the media suggesting that he faces a plate filled not only with issues related to the slumping economy and other urgent national challenges but also a hefty portion of the extravagant expectations of African Americans and other minority groups.I and more than 400 other African American mayors who served during the most diverse period in the political history of America's large cities experienced a similar, and understandable, unreasonableness from brothers and sisters who saw in our election an opportunity at last to get a slice of the American pie.The duty of the many cannot become the responsibility of the one, even if the one is a black president.But it is important to note that Obama will not be the nation's highest-profile civil rights leader. He will be the leader of the free world.We must keep that in mind. Barack Obama cannot both agitate and legislate from the Oval Office.
Are people of color expecting too much of President Obama?
Empowerment Cards
Comments
Expectations of President Obama
I don't think that we demand enough from our elected officials. Everyone else demands what they want from the president except for us. We don't want to bring up our issues or criticize our president. I hear things such as give him time and that it will trickle down to us; that never happens and it never will. Black folks have sat back for too long waiting on politicians to take on our issues and they never are. I know that he is not just our president but I am concerned about our issues right now.
First President?
I like the new President, Mr. Obama. I think that he will do good things within the constraints of what he will be allowed to do. We would be naive to think that just because he is a black man, that he is there to do something for us. He is the head of one of the largest corporations in the world. He can do no more as President of the US than he can as CEO of GM. Presidents are figureheads that are guided. There is something going on here that is baffling. Many of us have known for years that there have been Black Presidents before Obama. For some reason we are unwilling or afraid to talk about it. What are we trying to hide? Whose agenda are we trying to carry? I enjoyed your show on C-Span. Its always good, but its also good retoric. If you want to really get people stirred, start talking about Obama not being the first Black President. You probably know this but are withholding this valuable piece of information. I know that Dr. West knows this as well. You carry an audience, but on whose agenda? What do you know for sure?
Are people of color expecting too much of President Obama?
For us as African Americans to believe that having a black president means that all of black people's problems are going to be solved is like the extended family of a newly drafted athlete who has just signed a multi million dollar contract, thinking that they have just hit the jackpot because their family member is going to take care of all of their financial needs. Having the first black president is an awesome thing, but the last thing that he needs to do is become chief civil rights leader. His job is to represent all Americans and our jobs as African Americans is to do our part in helping to make America better. So often we get so caught up in putting our hopes in a person that we forget that we too have the power to change things. Truth be told, if truly got busy as a community all of this country on a regular basis like we did on November 4th, we would be able to solve a lot of the issues in the black communinty. We must celebrate President Obama, but we also have to support him and (as Tavis continues to remind us) hold him accountable.
Madea
Think! “How much has Madea injured or regressed the historic image of the African-American matriarch?” “Is she a good representation of a wife, a mother, or a grandmother?” “Is she the pattern you want others to accept or emulate?”
To Pastor Ricks
I do a lot of thinking and when I need a little comic relief I enjoy Madea. In my opinion Madea has not injured or regressed the historic image of the African-American matriarch. By the character's own admission, Madea is not a good representation of a wife, a mother, or a grandmother and no, she's not a pattern to be emulated. So then, there's the question of acceptance. I have very loving poor examples of mothers, aunts, and cousins in my family that I chose not to emulate but I certainly do accept them, Pastor, as I believe my Lord and Savior Christ accepts them with love and compassion. So when I think back on their antics and what they and I have learned from consequences of such poor decisions, I thank God for sparing their lives and the lives of their children (some) and that they can share with me and my family what not to do even as they are telling us what they did. These tales are told in gathering with a lot of tears and a lot of laughing. As I'm writing this response to your comment the song that comes to my mind is "How I Got Over"...you know that one? "My soul looks back and wonders how I got over." So, I thank God for the comic relief, among my thanks for His matchless Grace and Mercy. Life's not perfect, people aren't perfect, and Madea is only a character that I, personally, can identity as some dear members of my imperfect family...but I know the Perfect One and by faith we trust Him to bring us to a place of joy, peace, love, gentleness, kindness, temperance, and faith...so unlike Madea, we don't take things into our hands or display all the unattractive features that she characterizes. She is the polar opposite of my own Grandmother, but my grandmother had some daughter's and nieces.....LOL!!! Be blessed and joyful.
Laughter vs Stress
I love comedy and one thing that I understand about laughter is this, its good to laugh at things and release some of the pressures of life. I attend college four days a week and I work full time. The last thing that I need to come home to is a ball of stress and worries.
I thank God that he has created people like Madea (Tyler Perry's, Martin Lawrence's, and D.C. Curry's) and the list goes on. But these are some of my all time favorites that help my stress levels. I look at Martin Lawrence over and over again; as a matter of fact I have his entire Martin five series in my collection as well as Madea. I love the way they play many characters on their shows, its fun to watch and it’s hilarious. I find it easier lately not to judge people so harshly; these things come back on you twice as hard.
People are not perfect and that's one thing that has to be understood. I see the point that you are trying to make Pastor Rick but ask yourself this: Does Tyler Perry's acting VS his life appear similar or are you judging him by his acting role? If your argument is that our younger children will be misguided and confused by this, then the only possible thing to resolve that is to monitor what your kids watch. For the grown ups, we understand the character he plays and I enjoy watching him in my spare time. I love a man that can make me laugh, the heck with men that are always serious and stiff-neck; who needs that after a longs day of work? Not me! I prefer to laugh until tears are flooded my eye lids. Life is too short. I rather run with laughter most of my laugh than to ride with unhappiness and the judging rod!
Pastor Rick, if God has created the earth and has given some people the gift to make others laugh, embrace that gift and pray for the best in that person... Peace!