Barack
Obama has made history as the first African-American president of the
United States. For millions of voting and non-voting blacks too, the
reality of an African-American president might seem like a panacea. At
last, black people see an intelligent man of their race who has risen
through the ranks of the established system of political power.
However, African-American voters must realize that President Obama
cannot address their specific group needs within his position as a
purely black agenda. Here’s why. – forrest green III
1.
Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States by the
popular majority of the country, the overwhelming majority of which is
non-black. He was therefore given a mandate to follow which guarantees
that he must govern all people of the United States.
2.
The United States Census Bureau reports that black or African-Americans
comprised 12.8% of the 305 million population of the U.S. as of July 4,
2008.
3. Immigrants to the U.S. of black or
African ethnicity are far outnumbered by Hispanic and Asian immigrants,
as reported by the population Reference Bureau.
4.
As president of the United States, Barack Obama must also work with the
international community. Of the more than 6.5 billion people in the
world, 56.4% are Asian, not black or African-American.
5.
As president of the United States, Barack Obama must work collegially
with the entire United States Congress in order to pass legislation
that will benefit all people in this country.
6. Senator Obama was the only black person in the U.S. Senate, and now his replacement is the only one.
7. Of the 435 people in the U.S. House of Representatives, only 40 are of black or African-American ethnicity.
8.
A purely black agenda is difficult to define. Legislation and other
forms of governance that may be instituted by President Obama during
his term or terms in office will likely benefit disenfranchised people
of other ethnicities. For example, bills or policies could be enacted
under the Equal Opportunities Act, the Civil Rights Act, the Public
Health Act or the Fair Housing Act that would include coverage for
whites, gays, women and poor people of all ethnicities.
9.
During his campaign, Obama spoke to leaders of Latin-American political
groups and asserted that in a nutshell, he wouldn’t take their voters’
concerns “for granted.” This prevents him from planning a strictly
black agenda.
10. During his campaign, Obama
repeatedly promised that he would serve all people in all parts of this
country and that he follow the Constitution of the United States which
requires that he do so.
When it comes to
dealing with their issues, African-American voters should be educated
about the facts of their government. Indeed, perhaps government is not
the place to look when seeking to address all of their concerns.
