Do Something to Get Invited to the White House

President Obama recently made time to explore the plight of black Americans and engage in a meaningful discourse on the subject with four notable and knowledgeable African American leaders who are at the helm of the nation’s most historic black organizations. Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network; Benjamin T. Jealous, president of the NAACP; Dorothy Height, chairwoman of the National Council of Negro Women; and Marc Morial, president of the Urban League, met with the president in these difficult times to impress upon him how the unemployment rate is so disproportionately affecting the African American citizens of this country. The hundreds of millions of dollars in economic stimulus funds that went to banks were part of the administration’s efforts to stop and redirect their rapid decline. Creating jobs for those that are suffering the most has to rank higher on the economic agenda and black leaders must continue to lobby for that platform. Black businesses have to increase their efforts and advocate for increased diversity and inclusion. Getting a college education along with entrepreneurial development have to become the cornerstones of the culture and a guiding principle for our people.

Economic circumstances continue to be very dire in the African American community and the dialogue that needs to take place has to address that extremely unfortunate and desperate reality. Not surprisingly to them — the same historic black organizations that have fought since their inception for economic advances for African Americans — have come under attack from the misinformed and unknowing for being “irrelevant” in the present-day world.

Some paid or unpaid black person will jealously say that group did not or does not represent them. Brain washed, Uncle Tom-like personalities that thought the non-violent protest movement was a despicable approach will certainly attempt to invalidate as well, this historic meeting with the most powerful man in the world. Real frontline leadership requires consideration beyond rented microphones, rhetoric and unbridled wrath.

In stillness and silence our younger generation’s leaders are failing to step up to the plate to drive these organizations and steer the ship. They and their peers live instead with lowered expectations for their educational achievements, socioeconomic accomplishments and life in general.

Having a Ph.D. has become a player hater degree, which does not encourage those with little historical awareness to appreciate that getting a college education as a fait accompli. Advance degrees should be commonplace in our culture. The lack of a degree or a college experience retards rational thought. Similarly, a lack of income, i.e., unemployment, wreaks destruction, demoralizes the spirit and gives rise to social desperation. Diminished self-esteem creates a breeding ground for illegal enterprise.  

Thanks to those black leaders who are willing to and continue to represent African Americans, fight our causes and keep their collective fingers on the pulse of the community and the nation. We would do well to follow the lead of these champions and commit to representing ourselves on a number of social and political fronts by promoting education and business as the new status symbols instead of the material things that are so often exploited through song.  

“Swagger” is overused and overstated. Employers don’t ask about it on a job application, nor do colleges look for it on standardized tests. Our young people are fed delusions of grandeur, implying that once you’ve “arrived” you’re no longer required to care. Mr President, don’t allow this important future voter base to sit at home singing the words of Janet Jackson’s “What have you done for me lately?” They are our children and we’re responsible for getting them in a position where they, too, might some day get an invitation to the White House, or maybe even take up residency there.
Peace.