RACIAL SOLIDARITY HURTING ALL AMERICANS

Political Commentary:

For the past few months now, we have all been witness to the plummeting approval ratings of our President Barack ObamaBarack Obama - which have now dropped below 50%. Only 2 other Presidents have reached an approval rating below 50% quicker than Obama since WWII. On the two issues that are most important to the American people – keeping the country safe and the economy, people have soured on this President.

The wars in Afghanistan & Iraq as well as the continued high unemployment rates across the country have fueled much of this decline. Talk of raising taxes & enacting costly healthcare legislation in times of double-digit unemployment has not resonated with many Americans. Yet, despite all of these problems, the President has enjoyed the privileges of exclusive positive media coverage as well unconditional support from Blacks.

His approval rating amongst Blacks still remains in the high 90’s while his support amongst white voters has dropped 22% from a high of 61% to the current 39%. Some may read these numbers as affirmation that for the most part, White America is still racist. Others would argue that, Blacks simply will not criticize Obama because he is one of them & Black.

It is a curious & inexplicable phenomenon that is not easily explained. Why would 98% of the African American community still believe that their President is doing a good job on the economy and other domestic issues when the rest of the country sees a different picture? How far does the pride of having an African American President cloud the honest ability to honestly judge the performance of their Commander-in-Chief? How high does the unemployment rate amongst blacks needs to rise before blacks have a harsh word for Obama?

The unemployment numbers indicate that Blacks have been the hardest hit. In many categories, young male blacks have the highest rates of unemployment with some rates reaching as high 26%. In the states with the highest concentration of African Americans, the unemployment rates are all in the double digits. In Michigan, where Blacks make-up 14% of the population, the unemployment rate is at 15%. In the District of Columbia where 61% of the population is Black, the UE Rate is at 12%. In Florida where the Black population is 14%, the UE rate is 11%. These stats are repeated over & over for every state with a high African American population.

How is it possible then to reconcile the 90+ percent approval rating amongst blacks and the highest unemployment rates within the same group?

How are the issues of high unemployment, the safety of our country, ballooning budget deficits and increasing taxes not resonating with the African American community? Is there a double standard taking place? When Barack Obama won the election and became the first Black President of the US, African Americans rejoiced and with good reason and quickly proclaimed “ he belongs to us, not white people”. It was a moment that reinforced Black Solidarity and one of renewed hope.

But if we are to be fair, Barack Obama cannot be only your president for the positive accomplishments, he must also be yours for the negative as well. We can't give him an A everytime he does something positive and give BushBush an F everytime he does something wrong.

To that respect, we must all be open & honest & stand up for the issues that affect all Americans. It is not only White Americans, Latinos or Asian Americans that need jobs. African Americans need jobs as well. It is not only White Americans that have sons & daughters fighting the wars abroad. Black American fathers & mothers have seen their loved ones put in the line of fire as well.

If we are to see this country regain its economic strength, we must have a concerted effort and honest discussions about our Presidents performance. Our President has been in office for close to a year already, and there is enough of a track record to judge him fairly. To have almost 100% approval from the African American community is not being honest to yourself or the rest of America.