In this article I continue to discuss motivational factors that must be taken into account to develop different ideas for helping black Americans improve their position in the American economy. Decades of government programs and trillions of dollars have not achieved acceptable outcomes. Some black American demographics are worse now than when massive government programs started in the mid-1960’s, involving increased family breakup and increased number of children born out of wedlock by teenagers. Different knowledge must be applied to develop different approaches that will achieve acceptable outcomes.
This article, and several that follow, discuss a major motivational factor relating to people understanding the significance of what they do. People who understand the importance of their actions will strive harder to do better. To understand the importance of their actions black Americans, along with all common Americans, have to increase their knowledge and understanding of history.
News reports recently stated that Americans know little about history. Having extensive university course work and decades of independent reading in the social sciences, including history, reviewing high school and university history textbooks brings to mind the possibility that little governmental or media effort is directed toward Americans knowing much about the real past. Uninformed, uneducated people, kept ignorant of their past, are easily fooled and herded for the political and economic benefit of a few wealth people. People, who study the social sciences across the broad scope of history, can see this pattern. It has existed for thousands of years and is designed to control the many for the benefit of a wealthy few. The pattern continues to exist throughout the world but is little discussed in textbooks or publicized through media news or programs.
Because of our American representative/democratic form of government it is more difficult for a few wealthy people to control our government as opposed to other nations like England, China, Russia, Angola, Mexico, etc. These other nations’ governments recognize different classes of people within their populations either legally or on a practical basis. They are established based on the assumption that a few wealthy people will control the government and economy and these few people will stay wealthy generation after generation while most people will remain uneducated, uninformed, politically powerless, poor, and a source of cheap labor.
Throughout thousands of years the wealthiest nations have been class-based made up of a few people who controlled governmental power and structured the economy for their personal benefit. During the last 500 years a movement has gained traction based on the idea that all people should be first-class citizens. The American founding documents included words about people being created equal and having equal rights, etc. Our history has included progress toward making these words a legal and practical reality, but only since the mid-1950’s has our Supreme Court and Congress institutionalized these concepts into legal practice. This progress must be seen as a continuation of the American Revolution but progress has not been uniform or continuous. It has been a “two steps forward but one step back” activity. Our efforts to continue this revolution must continue today.
A normal, human impediment to continuing the American Revolution involves efforts by the already wealthy to control government for their benefit and pass their riches from generation to generation. Based on our democratic system and practical implementation of a classless society during the last 60 years, wealthy Americans must resort to other means to control government and the economy as opposed to those used in other nations. Today to maintain this control, the wealthy own media outlets including television and radio networks, newspapers, news websites, movie and television production companies, and contribute massive masses of cash to political campaigns.
The following articles briefly discuss several elements of this strategy, including passage and enforcement of laws and government regulations that encroach on civil rights and liberties and imprison large segments of Americans, overemphasis on the need for government and government protection, increased taxes for common Americans, and implementation of approaches that foster divisiveness among the common people. This strategy involves governmental pronouncements and manipulation of news and historical information designed to keep common Americans in their place. Of course, black Americans continue “in their place” where they have been for 400 years, but for them to do anything meaningful about this they have to better understand their past and devise new approaches to accomplish different results from that that have been resulting for the last 60 years.
Joseph L. Bass, Ed.D. is a retired business/organizational consultant, seeking to improve society using his decades of experience enhancing corporations and government agencies. What is a society other than a large, complex organization created by a people for their own betterment? He is executive director of the non-profit ABetterSociety.Info, Inc.
Showing posts with label african american politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label african american politics. Show all posts
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Wall Streeter Games
In this article I explore assumptions about Wall Streeter and banker games that do not help black Americans. The information provided is designed to question underlying assumptions. It is provided to help readers think critically and participate in an online dialogue. We all want effective programs that truly help black Americans, but successful programs have to be based on valid assumptions. Programs based on invalid assumptions will not achieve desired results.
To explore these assumptions it is first necessary to discuss what is meant by “wealth.” Consider the following example. Two business people have $100,000 of their own money and borrow another $100,000 to create a business. Start-up costs include: renting a facility, securing business licenses and permits, paying for facility remodeling, paying for advertising, purchasing equipment, hiring staff, purchasing inventory, paying for power, heat, air conditioning, etc. They operate their business for one year. All start-up expenses created jobs for the people from whom they purchased goods and services, for the people they hired, and for themselves through paying themselves a monthly salary. At what point do they make a profit? At what point do they create wealth?
A reasonable business answer is: They make a profit, they create wealth, when they are able to pay their bills, pay their employees and themselves a monthly salary with benefits, and pay off the $200,000 used to start the business. When these conditions are met and they make one more dollar, they have made a dollar in profit (created $1.00 in wealth). If during the first year of operation the business were to fail, the partners have artificially stimulated the economy and artificially created jobs but created no wealth. When the business fails the partners have lost their investment and still have to pay off their debt or go bankrupt.
This example outlines the standard situation for any small business owner. One of the great challenges for small business owners, including black Americans, is that we continue to experience dramatic swings in the economy. These swings hinder effectively doing anything about the fact that many black Americans live on the bottom of the economic heap. When the economy swings up and black Americans do better, we hear “a rising tide raises all ships,” and the media and government cheer! When Wallstreeters’ and bankers’ house of cards falls many black Americans lose their jobs or businesses and their homes. And media and government focus is on rebuilding the same house of cards so we can do the same thing all over again.
One of the factors in these swings is that government allows large corporations to operate on different standards from those describe above for small businesses. For example, on April 26, 2011, the New York Times reported that Ford Motor Company made a quarterly profit of $2,550,000,000 ($2.55 billion). The same article reported that Ford’s chief executive is being paid $26,500,000 ($26.5 million) a year. (See http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/business/27ford.html?_r=1&ref=fordmotorcompany). But it requires much internet searching to discover that Ford had a long term debt of $101,640,000,000 ($101.64 billion) on 3/31/11. (See http://ycharts.com/financials/F/quarterly_balance_sheet) How can a business claim to make a profit of $2.55 billion while still owing $101.64 billion in debt? And it is not uncommon for corporations with similar debts to pay share holders a dividend when the corporation hasn’t really made a profit. This practice allows corporations to channel borrowed money to share holders.
Why play this game or any of the other shell games played by Wall Streeters and bankers? The fundamental issue is that they want people to buy and sell “things” in their markets. Their “things” include stocks, bonds, derivatives, etc. They don’t care about the fundamental value of what they sell. The more attractive they can make purchasing their “things,” the more fees they can charge. The more ups and downs in the markets the more people buy and sell.
Regardless of the real value of what they sell, fees are their source of income. Their income is used to pay Wall Streeters and bankers huge salaries and bonuses. As long as these people are allowed to play their games, they will continue to channel money into their personal accounts while not creating real wealth for the American people. And they will do nothing to provide meaningful help for advancing black Americans into the mainstream economy.
Using the money from their personal and corporate accounts these people donate large amounts to political campaigns. They donate to candidates in both parties and, to a certain extent it doesn’t make any difference who wins. They have great influence with either candidate going into an election. Without regard for what should be done for black Americans, Wall Streeters and bankers only care about maintaining their games and the very large sums of money that flow into their personal accounts. As long as voters continue to allow themselves to be distracted by meaningless fringe issues that make up most campaign noise, economic swings that benefit a few will continue. Until American voters make it clear to politicians that changes must be made, nothing meaningful will be done for black Americans. What do readers think about this? Joseph L. Bass, Ed.D.
To explore these assumptions it is first necessary to discuss what is meant by “wealth.” Consider the following example. Two business people have $100,000 of their own money and borrow another $100,000 to create a business. Start-up costs include: renting a facility, securing business licenses and permits, paying for facility remodeling, paying for advertising, purchasing equipment, hiring staff, purchasing inventory, paying for power, heat, air conditioning, etc. They operate their business for one year. All start-up expenses created jobs for the people from whom they purchased goods and services, for the people they hired, and for themselves through paying themselves a monthly salary. At what point do they make a profit? At what point do they create wealth?
A reasonable business answer is: They make a profit, they create wealth, when they are able to pay their bills, pay their employees and themselves a monthly salary with benefits, and pay off the $200,000 used to start the business. When these conditions are met and they make one more dollar, they have made a dollar in profit (created $1.00 in wealth). If during the first year of operation the business were to fail, the partners have artificially stimulated the economy and artificially created jobs but created no wealth. When the business fails the partners have lost their investment and still have to pay off their debt or go bankrupt.
This example outlines the standard situation for any small business owner. One of the great challenges for small business owners, including black Americans, is that we continue to experience dramatic swings in the economy. These swings hinder effectively doing anything about the fact that many black Americans live on the bottom of the economic heap. When the economy swings up and black Americans do better, we hear “a rising tide raises all ships,” and the media and government cheer! When Wallstreeters’ and bankers’ house of cards falls many black Americans lose their jobs or businesses and their homes. And media and government focus is on rebuilding the same house of cards so we can do the same thing all over again.
One of the factors in these swings is that government allows large corporations to operate on different standards from those describe above for small businesses. For example, on April 26, 2011, the New York Times reported that Ford Motor Company made a quarterly profit of $2,550,000,000 ($2.55 billion). The same article reported that Ford’s chief executive is being paid $26,500,000 ($26.5 million) a year. (See http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/business/27ford.html?_r=1&ref=fordmotorcompany). But it requires much internet searching to discover that Ford had a long term debt of $101,640,000,000 ($101.64 billion) on 3/31/11. (See http://ycharts.com/financials/F/quarterly_balance_sheet) How can a business claim to make a profit of $2.55 billion while still owing $101.64 billion in debt? And it is not uncommon for corporations with similar debts to pay share holders a dividend when the corporation hasn’t really made a profit. This practice allows corporations to channel borrowed money to share holders.
Why play this game or any of the other shell games played by Wall Streeters and bankers? The fundamental issue is that they want people to buy and sell “things” in their markets. Their “things” include stocks, bonds, derivatives, etc. They don’t care about the fundamental value of what they sell. The more attractive they can make purchasing their “things,” the more fees they can charge. The more ups and downs in the markets the more people buy and sell.
Regardless of the real value of what they sell, fees are their source of income. Their income is used to pay Wall Streeters and bankers huge salaries and bonuses. As long as these people are allowed to play their games, they will continue to channel money into their personal accounts while not creating real wealth for the American people. And they will do nothing to provide meaningful help for advancing black Americans into the mainstream economy.
Using the money from their personal and corporate accounts these people donate large amounts to political campaigns. They donate to candidates in both parties and, to a certain extent it doesn’t make any difference who wins. They have great influence with either candidate going into an election. Without regard for what should be done for black Americans, Wall Streeters and bankers only care about maintaining their games and the very large sums of money that flow into their personal accounts. As long as voters continue to allow themselves to be distracted by meaningless fringe issues that make up most campaign noise, economic swings that benefit a few will continue. Until American voters make it clear to politicians that changes must be made, nothing meaningful will be done for black Americans. What do readers think about this? Joseph L. Bass, Ed.D.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Cornel West Calls President Obama a Black Mascot
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Black News Headlines - 6/19/10
Holly Robinson Peete is a Beautiful Humanitarian
9:16 AMJun 19
Source: BV Wellness
Anyone who recalls the days when she was down on '21 Jump Street,' solving minor youth-based crimes with the likes of Johnny Depp and Richard Grieco (whatever happened to that guy?) will remember one thing about Holly Robinson Peete. Her timeless ... Read More
'So Strong': The Return of Jonathan Butler
8:08 AMJun 19
Source: Blackvoices Main
A long way from Capetown, where he was born and raised before becoming an international superstar and spending nearly 20 years in England, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer Jonathan Butler is back and stronger than ever with his ... Read More
A Long Convo with Charlie Murphy
6:00 AMJun 19
Source: Blackvoices Main
From Vibe: From the outside looking in it would appear that after over 20 years in the business Charlie Murphy finally has it all. Probably best known from his work on The Chappelle Show, (and especially his hilarious recollections of 80s run-ins ... Read More
Dr. Boyce and Lady Drama Discuss Wendy Williams, Hip Hop and More
12:10 AMJun 19
Source: BV on Money
I have a great deal of respect for Lady Drama, aka Ebony Garris. Lady Drama, in case you don't know, was the person who ran Bossip.com for quite a while. She's the celebrity gossip queen of the Internet and probably the next Wendy Williams. ... Read More
Catching Up With 'Me and Mrs. Jones' Soul Singer Billy Paul
6:16 PMJun 18
Source: Blackvoices Main
In 1972, soul legend Billy Paul hit the jackpot with his number-one single, 'Me and Mrs. Jones,' which earned him a Grammy award. Already known for his taste of music which ranged from jazz to R&B to ballads, his follow up song would be the ... Read More
Notable/Quotable: Robin Quivers Weighing In On Gabourey Sidibe's Obesity
6:06 PMJun 18
Source: BV Newswire
"People are being naïve when they say, 'Oh, it's great that she has this attitude.' This girl is in trouble and people want to deny that. We have an epidemic of obesity in the black community, especially among black women." -- Radio ... Read More
Around the Web -- Diddy on 'Entourage', Rappers Talk Lil Kim Vs. Nicki Minaj + More
5:30 PMJun 18
Source: theBVX.com
Diddy will be joining Mike Tyson and Lenny Kravitz among the list of celebs that are set to guest star on the seventh season of HBO's "Entourage". Recently, Diddy went racing with executive producer, Mark Wahlberg in Long Beach. [Hip-Hop Wired] ... Read More
Foreclosure Epidemic Hits Minority Communities The Hardest: Center For Responsible Lending
4:04 PMJun 18
Source: BV Black Spin
A recent study by the Center for Responsible Lending has confirmed what you probably already knew: African Americans were significantly more affected by foreclosure than whites. The study shows that although whites make up the majority of ... Read More
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Dr. Boyce Watkins: Black Men Aren't Graduating from College
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
Last week, the American Council on Education issued a report on the state of black males in the higher education system. The report reveals some interesting and disturbing trends. It turns out that black men are graduating from college at a rate which lags significantly behind other ethnic groups. When determining graduation probabilities over a six-year period, black males were found to have a graduation rate of 35 percent. This compares with rates of 59 percent, 46 percent and 45 percent for white males, hispanic males and black women, respectively. In other words, black men are a little more than half as likely to finish college when compared to their white male counterparts.
I have been a black man for my entire life now, and I’ve taught at the college level for the past 17 years. So, perhaps I can shed some light on the nature of these problems and how we might work to solve them. Some of the factors are institutional and some are cultural, so prepare to be offended by at least one of the things I have to say:
RELATED: Why Aren’t Minorities Graduating From College?
1) Most American universities refuse to hire or retain African American professors, including many HBCUs: If your professors look like you, you are more likely to relate to that individual and enjoy the class. When I went to The University of Kentucky, Indiana University and The Ohio State University (where I earned my PhD), I didn’t see one single professor who looked like me (and I took A LOT of classes). This made for an incredibly awkward and damn near traumatic educational experience. When I first noticed institutions like Morehouse College presenting images of black males in the front of the classroom, I was envious after realizing what I’d been missing. Rather than finding excuses for firing or not hiring black professors, most universities would be well-advised to stop lying to themselves and become serious about diversity. Yes, black professors are out there to hire if you are looking for them, but many academic departments find a reason to believe that they are not qualified. Just look at the experiences of myself, Cornell West and Michael Eric Dyson as cases in point. Each of us has received significant resistance in our careers because our work is connected to the black community. Our stories are just the tip of the iceberg, since there are thousands of black professors who’ve gone through the exact same experience when dealing with the entrenched racism of academia. Many HBCUs are not immune to this trend, as most of them don’t have very many African American professors (Don’t believe me? Go to the Computer Science Department or Business School at any random HBCU and count the number of African American professors).
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Man Details Alleged Police Brutality From Chicago Police
CHICAGO (CBS) ― New allegations of brutality by Chicago police have surfaced. In his
lawsuit, one man claims he was beaten during a traffic stop.
As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, the suit names two officers and implicates several others.
"I thought I was gonna die because I couldn't breathe," said alleged police beating victim Curtis Mason Jr.
Blood vessels were broken in an eye and his wrists were allegedly cut by tight handcuffs.
Mason says the injuries he captured with photographs were caused by Chicago police.
"In the beginning, that's what I asked them, 'why am I being arrested' and from that point, it turned into, 'why are you continually hitting me?'" he said.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Klansman May Walk From Charges of Kidnap and Murder
JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court should decide whether a reputed Ku Klux Klansman should have been tried on a kidnapping charge 43 years after two black men were abducted and slain in rural Mississippi, a federal appeals court said Thursday.
A majority of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said other Civil Rights Era cold cases could be affected by a Supreme Court ruling on whether time had run out for prosecutors to charge James Ford Seale.
Seale, now 73, was convicted in 2007 of abducting two 19-year-old friends who authorities said were beaten, weighted down and thrown, possibly still alive, into a Mississippi River backwater in 1964.
Since the conviction, Seale's case has worked its way through the 5th Circuit, including an acquittal that was overturned.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Senator Roland Burris Under Fire
Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., talks to the media about an affidavit that he filed Feb. 5 with the Illinois House committee. (Tribune photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo / February 15, 2009)
Facing a perjury probe in Illinois and an ethics investigation in Washington, U.S. Sen.Roland Burris pleaded for yet another chance to explain himself after admitting he tried to raise campaign cash for then- Gov. Rod Blagojevich while seeking the Senate seat from him.
The junior senator, just a month in office, struggled to maintain a sense of normalcy on a Downstate "goodwill tour" but found no goodwill from fellow politicians. Republicans and even some Democrats in Illinois called for his resignation, and in Washington, senators who had barely begun to accept his controversial appointment chafed at the revived scandal.
Burris tried to stem the political damage by limiting his public comments Tuesday, but his evolving explanations had already set off a cascade of new questions about how he came to be picked by Blagojevich, who was charged with trying to sell the former Senate seat ofPresident Barack Obama for personal or political profit.
"There were never any inappropriate conversations between me and anyone else," said Burris, who took no questions from reporters. "And I will answer any and all questions to get that point across to keep my faith with the citizens of Illinois."
Technorati Tags: roland burris,black news,african american news,black politics,african american politics
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Your Black Wealth: Big Test on Stimulus for Barack Obama
A contentious debate over a "Buy American" provision in the economic stimulus package poses an early test for President Obama on both domestic politics and foreign policy.
The Senate this week is considering an $885 billion bill designed to help mend the ailing economy, which requires all "manufactured goods" purchased with stimulus money to be made in the United States. The House already has approved a narrower bill mandating the use of domestic iron and steel.
To supporters, including labor unions that helped the Democrats retake the White House last year, a "Buy American" requirement is just common sense at a time of economic crisis and rising unemployment. Factories have been hemorrhaging jobs for years; manufacturing employment is now 12.9 million, down from 17.2 million at the end of 2000. If Congress doesn't insist upon the use of U.S.-made materials, taxpayer funds could line the pockets of European or Chinese workers rather than hard-hit Americans.
Technorati Tags: african american money,african american wealth,black money,black wealth,barack obama
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Black Women, Black Men and The Down Low
By Syreeta L. McNeal, CPA, JD
Recently, New York Knick’s basketball player, Eddy Curry, a married father of several kids, received notice of a sexual-harassment lawsuit by his former limo driver, Kuchinsky. Kuchinsky is alleging that Curry tried to solicit gay sexual activity from him while working as a 24/7 chauffer for the NBA hoop star and his family.[1] With the national press coverage of this story, I am reminded of the movie,Cover, which explored the current situation that appears to be facing many black families. Cover is a film about a devoted, churchgoing wife, and mother whose faith is shattered when she discovers that her husband is living a secret double life.[2] Also, there is a 30-minute internet movie, Results, which tackles the same type of betrayal and shows how the couple tackles it in the span of one night.[3] So, as it relates to married men who happen to cheat on their spouse on thedown low, I ask, what’s love got to do with it? I understand the question is paying tribute to the hit single by Tina Turner. However, I think people should explore the reasons why married men choose to cheat on the down low and should a wife, who takes a vow of fidelity with her husband, continue in the relationship after discovering the betrayal.
People might ask why a lawyer would write an article on a social topic such as married men who cheat on the down low. Well, a lawyer is considered an attorney and counselor at law. When a wife chooses to get a divorce due to infidelity from their husbands cheating on the down low, it is important for lawyers to understand the origin of the relationship and what caused the heartache to their client so that they can effectively provide legal advice and counseling for their client. In a majority of states, infidelity is just one factor in how marital property is divided between former married couples. Even though a wife might want her husband, who cheated on the down low, to get nothing and pay dearly for the betrayal, the courts in a majority of states will not find fault (e.g. infidelity) a determining factor in the division of marital property. Therefore, it behooves the lawyer to try other methods of counseling to explain the law to jilted married clients.
This article will analyze the meaning of love, the reasons why people get married, and what actions people should take to minimize the potential of being married to men who cheat on the down low.
Meaning of Love
Love has many meanings. Webster dictionary defines Love as a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (e.g. maternal love for a child).[4] Also, love is an attraction based on sexual desires (e.g. affection and tenderness felt by lovers).[5] Love is also an affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests (e.g. love for old schoolmates).[6] Also, love is a warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion (e.g. love of the sea).[7] Love can also be used as a term of endearment.[8] Love is also the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.[9] Love is a sexual embrace.[10] In all, love embraces a form that is erotic, romantic, familial, platonic, and religious.
Similar to Webster dictionary, Christianity embraces four forms of love: Agapē, Philia, Eros, and Storge.[11] Agapē means charitable, selfless, altruistic, and unconditional.[12] It is parental love seen as creating goodness in the world.[13] It is the way God is seen to love humanity and it is seen as the kind of love that Christians aspire to have for others.[14] Philia is defined as the human response to something that is found to be delightful.[15] Also, it is known as "brotherly love".[16] Eros is defined as sexual love.[17] Storge is defined as the needy child-to-parent love.[18]
One thing that is fascinating is the explanation of what Eros is. Eros is a very passionate love, with sensual desire and longing.[19] In the classical world, the phenomenon of love was generally understood as a kind of madness or, as the Greeks put it, theia mania ("madness from the gods").[20] This love passion is best illustrated by a scheme involving “love arrows” or “love darts.”[21] The source of the arrows is said to be the image of the beautiful love object itself.[22] If the arrows arrive at the lover’s eyes, they would then travel to and ‘pierce’ and ‘wound’ his or her heart and overwhelm him/her with desire and longing.[23] This creates an image of an “arrow’s wound” where an oxymoron of pleasure and pain is created.[24]
As illustrated above, love has different meanings. Saying “I love you” to a person can mean a variety of things. The issue for married couples who are dealing with husbands who cheat on the down low isnot whether they love their wives. The issue is what type of love does husbands who cheat on the down low have for their wives. In my opinion, this is the heart of the conflict that exists between married couples who have husbands who cheat on the down low. Next, it is important to understand why people marry.
Why People Marry
Marriage is a social, religious, spiritual or legal union of individuals.[25] People marry for many reasons, but usually they marry for one or more of the following reasons:[26]
· legal, social, and economic stability;
· the formation of a family unit;
· procreation and the education and nurturing of children;
· legitimizing sexual relations;
· public declaration of love; or
· to obtain citizenship
In almost all Protestant forms of Christianity, they hold marriage to be ordained by God for the union between a man and a woman.[27]They see the primary purpose of this union to be to glorify God by demonstrating his love to the world.[28] Other secondary purposes of marriage include intimate companionship, rearing children and mutual support for both husband and wife to fulfill their life callings.[29]
Like love, people marry for a variety of reasons. What is extremely interesting is that when protestant Christians marry their primary purpose is for the union to glorify God. One example of the betrayal for protestant Christians is when married men cheat on the down low. This action is not one that glorifies God especially when the bible states that men (or women) who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God.[30] So, the conflict exists and men and women need to be aware of who their partners are before entering into marriage.
The Reality of the Conflict of Down Low Activity with Marriage
Some married men who cheat on the down low believe that down low activity is similar when men cheat with other women. I beg to differ. As these movies illustrate, a woman cannot compete with a man sexually. Women and men are not equal in physical form. Men and women have different sexual features and different purposes of use for these features. I equate the differences between men and women similar to placing pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together. Do like parts unite or do opposite pieces fit together?
If a married man cheats on the down low, they have a sexual attraction for another man. Sorry ladies. Physically, there is nothing you can do, except do a sex change, to sexually fulfill a man who wants to sleep with other men. A married man might love his wife, but the sexual love a wife is craving from her husband does not exist the way she wants or believes it should exist especially if this type of infidelity occurs after the coupled exchanged wedding vows to be married. There are always signs of men who have a sexual attraction for another man. However, you have to open your eyes and find out who your spouse truly is before you enter into marriage.
Attributes of Counseling Before Marriage
One way to discover whether your significant partner is ready to be married is to participate in marriage counseling. In essence, you are treating your marriage as a long term investment and gathering as much information about your spouse before you enter into marriage. As illustrated above, love has many meanings and people marry for different reasons. Just because someone says “I love you” is not all you need to know to venture into marriage. What a man and woman need to find out from each other is what type of love exists and is it reciprocally felt. If your potential spouse only feels an admiration for you and you feel romantic love for that person, then you need to find this out before you venture into marriage and not get married to the person. Also, what are the reasons why the man and woman are getting married and is it reciprocal. If your potential spouse wants to get married to obtain citizenship and you want to get married public declaration of love, then you need to find this out before you venture into marriage and not get married to this person.
Ideally, married couples expect their spouses to solely want them only. They believe their spouse will be the complement human being to help fulfill their needs mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. No one is perfect, but the union of a man and woman is expected to be one that works to perfection as seen in God’s light. When married men cheat on the down low, there is an erotic and sexual attraction for people of the same sex that their wife can’t fulfill. A potential spouse needs to know this before hand and not marry the individual especially if they seek their spouse to solely want them only.
Effective marriage counseling will be able to discover the compatibility of the couple. Marriage counseling should emphasize substance over form. The counseling should explore the type of love that exists and if it is reciprocally felt. Also, marriage counseling should explore the reasons why each person wants to marry and whether it is reciprocal. Furthermore, there is nothing wrong with doing an extensive background check on people before getting married. When you choose to marry someone, you are making a societal and private contract that this individual is someone you will honor and cherish, to have and to hold, until death do you part. With any type of long term investment, you need to know what you are getting into. This is not to say that marriages will not have problems, but if you choose someone to be married to you, you are making a long term investment in that individual expecting that the good will outweigh the bad. Know what you are getting into so you canminimize suffering betrayals like having married men cheat on the down low.
Legal Disclaimer: This site provides information about the law designed to keep readers informed of pertinent legal matters affecting the African-American community. But legal information is not the same as legal advice -- the application of law to an individual's specific circumstances. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a lawyer in your specific location if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.
[1]http://www.nypost.com/seven/01132009/news/regionalnews/knick_gets_called_for_sex_foul_149982.htm
[2] http://www.coverthemovie.com/
[3] http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi3195994137/
[4] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Love
[5] Id.
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id.
[10] Id.
[11] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_(religious_views)
[12] Id.
[13] Id.
[14] Id.
[15] Id.
[16] Id.
[17] Id.
[18] Id.
[19] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eros_(love)
[20] Id.
[21] Id.
[22] Id.
[23] Id.
[24] Id.
[25] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage
[26] Id.
[27] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_views_of_marriage
[28] Id.
[29] Id.
[30] 1 Corinthians 6:9
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Black Financial Scholar Says The Economic Turndown Might Not Be Such A Bad Thing
By Dr. Boyce Watkins
I hate being the doctor who has to tell the patient he has cancer, but the truth usually sets you free (or so my mother told me): We are in the midst of an economic bloodbath. It’s tough to argue that an economy which shrinks by an annualized rate of 5% is still healthy. It’s hard to tell someone that 7.2% unemployment, with the most job losses since 1945, is a good thing. A 4,000 point drop in the Dow is nothing to sneeze at, even if you have plenty of tissue. Times are tough, we know that.
But if we focus hard enough, we might be able to find a few bright sides to all this. With hopes that no one chooses to kill the messenger, I am going to give it a shot.
1) It could always be much worse.
The United States has, according to some, the strongest economy in the world. Our economy could shrink like Rush Limbaugh’s body on drugs and still be disgustingly rich compared to the rest of the world. Don’t believe me? Consider the “fast-growing” Chinese economy, the one that everyone thinks is going to outpace the United States in the next few years. Our annual tax revenues are nearly 4 times greater than China’s ($2.5 Trillion vs. $670 Billion) and they have over 4 times more people than we do (300 million vs. 1.3 Billion). In other words, our per capita tax receipts are over 16 times greater than China’s. So, we’re far better off than most of the world, even when we’re broke.
2) If there were ever an argument for getting out of Iraq, this might be it.
It’s hard to declare war on random countries if you don’t have the money to do it. War is big business and attacking other countries is a huge financial investment. If you don’t think war is about money, then you may want to take a couple of Political Science and History classes. Perhaps these troubles at home will keep us from creating trouble abroad, since Americans have lost patience with irresponsible, arrogant war-mongering. The Obama stimulus plan is asking for over $800 Billion dollars to boost our economy. We’ve already spent nearly $600 Billion in Iraq. Rather than declaring War on Terror, President Obama has declared War on the Recession, which seems to be a far better investment.
3) If you want to buy cheap stocks or real estate, this is the time to do it.
When the market rises, everyone wants to buy stocks. People forget that you shouldn’t buy stocks when prices are high, you buy when the prices are low. Companies with plenty of cash are grabbing investment and real estate bargains that were hardly available a year ago. You should be doing the same if you can afford to do it. Investors who purchase stocks after major market declines tend to do much better than those who buy during booms. You hear me Warren Buffet?
4) Struggle makes us FOCUSED.
Although I tend to be a hardcore capitalist, a part of me misses the activism of the 1960s, when people cared about more than making a dollar. OK, I wasn’t around in the 1960s, but I’ve watched enough old movies. Going through tough times not only teaches one to pursue a higher purpose in life, it also leads individuals to more carefully scrutinize the state of affairs in our government. In fact, I dare to argue that the financial crisis was just what Barack Obama needed to secure his election over John McCain. Economic prosperity allows us the luxury of choosing our politicians based on silly issues, like gay marriage (as we did in 2004). When we are worried about putting food on the table, we look beyond the silliness and choose the most qualified and most intelligent person for the job (after ensuring that he knows Africa really is a continent). Finally, tough economic times make you more responsible in your own money management, as the threat of financial insecurity keeps us all on high alert.
Those are my points, so again, please don’t kill the messenger. I certainly do not celebrate a weak economy, but I am a firm believer that focusing too much on the door that shuts keeps us from appreciating the ones that just opened. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel, a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow, and….well, you get the point. It’s the toughness of tough times that make the good times good. Keep hanging in there, it’ll be ok.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of “Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in ways that Feel Good.” For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com.
Black News: Banks Used Federal Stimulus to Hire Foreign Workers
Banks collecting billions of dollars in federal bailout money sought government permission to bring thousands of foreign workers to the U.S. for high-paying jobs, according to an Associated Press review of visa applications.
The dozen banks receiving the biggest rescue packages, totaling more than $150 billion, requested visas for more than 21,800 foreign workers over the past six years for positions that included senior vice presidents, corporate lawyers, junior investment analysts and human resources specialists. The average annual salary for those jobs was $90,721, nearly twice the median income for all American households.
The figures are significant because they show that the bailed-out banks, being kept afloat with U.S. taxpayer money, actively sought to hire foreign workers instead of American workers. As the economic collapse worsened last year — with huge numbers of bank employees laid off — the numbers of visas sought by the dozen banks in AP's analysis increased by nearly one-third, from 3,258 in fiscal 2007 to 4,163 in fiscal 2008.
Technorati Tags: black money,african american money,black wealth,african american wealth,black investing
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Money Expert, Boyce Watkins, Says There May Be An Advantage to the Economic Downturn
By Dr. Boyce Watkins
http://www.boycewatkins.com/
I hate being the doctor who has to tell the patient he has cancer, but the truth usually sets you free (or so my mother told me): We are in the midst of an economic bloodbath. It’s tough to argue that an economy which shrinks by an annualized rate of 5% is still healthy. It’s hard to tell someone that 7.2% unemployment, with the most job losses since 1945, is a good thing. A 4,000 point drop in the Dow is nothing to sneeze at, even if you have plenty of tissue. Times are tough, we know that.
http://www.boycewatkins.com/
I hate being the doctor who has to tell the patient he has cancer, but the truth usually sets you free (or so my mother told me): We are in the midst of an economic bloodbath. It’s tough to argue that an economy which shrinks by an annualized rate of 5% is still healthy. It’s hard to tell someone that 7.2% unemployment, with the most job losses since 1945, is a good thing. A 4,000 point drop in the Dow is nothing to sneeze at, even if you have plenty of tissue. Times are tough, we know that.
But if we focus hard enough, we might be able to find a few bright sides to all this. With hopes that no one chooses to kill the messenger, I am going to give it a shot.
1) It could always be much worse.
The United States has, according to some, the strongest economy in the world. Our economy could shrink like Rush Limbaugh’s body on drugs and still be disgustingly rich compared to the rest of the world. Don’t believe me? Consider the “fast-growing” Chinese economy, the one that everyone thinks is going to outpace the United States in the next few years. Our annual tax revenues are nearly 4 times greater than China’s ($2.5 Trillion vs. $670 Billion) and they have over 4 times more people than we do (300 million vs. 1.3 Billion). In other words, our per capita tax receipts are over 16 times greater than China’s. So, we’re far better off than most of the world, even when we’re broke.
The United States has, according to some, the strongest economy in the world. Our economy could shrink like Rush Limbaugh’s body on drugs and still be disgustingly rich compared to the rest of the world. Don’t believe me? Consider the “fast-growing” Chinese economy, the one that everyone thinks is going to outpace the United States in the next few years. Our annual tax revenues are nearly 4 times greater than China’s ($2.5 Trillion vs. $670 Billion) and they have over 4 times more people than we do (300 million vs. 1.3 Billion). In other words, our per capita tax receipts are over 16 times greater than China’s. So, we’re far better off than most of the world, even when we’re broke.
2) If there were ever an argument for getting out of Iraq, this might be it.
It’s hard to declare war on random countries if you don’t have the money to do it. War is big business and attacking other countries is a huge financial investment. If you don’t think war is about money, then you may want to take a couple of Political Science and History classes. Perhaps these troubles at home will keep us from creating trouble abroad, since Americans have lost patience with irresponsible, arrogant war-mongering. The Obama stimulus plan is asking for over $800 Billion dollars to boost our economy. We’ve already spent nearly $600 Billion in Iraq. Rather than declaring War on Terror, President Obama has declared War on the Recession, which seems to be a far better investment.
It’s hard to declare war on random countries if you don’t have the money to do it. War is big business and attacking other countries is a huge financial investment. If you don’t think war is about money, then you may want to take a couple of Political Science and History classes. Perhaps these troubles at home will keep us from creating trouble abroad, since Americans have lost patience with irresponsible, arrogant war-mongering. The Obama stimulus plan is asking for over $800 Billion dollars to boost our economy. We’ve already spent nearly $600 Billion in Iraq. Rather than declaring War on Terror, President Obama has declared War on the Recession, which seems to be a far better investment.
3) If you want to buy cheap stocks or real estate, this is the time to do it.
When the market rises, everyone wants to buy stocks. People forget that you shouldn’t buy stocks when prices are high, you buy when the prices are low. Companies with plenty of cash are grabbing investment and real estate bargains that were hardly available a year ago. You should be doing the same if you can afford to do it. Investors who purchases stocks after major market declines tend to do much better than those who buy during booms. You hear me Warren Buffet?
When the market rises, everyone wants to buy stocks. People forget that you shouldn’t buy stocks when prices are high, you buy when the prices are low. Companies with plenty of cash are grabbing investment and real estate bargains that were hardly available a year ago. You should be doing the same if you can afford to do it. Investors who purchases stocks after major market declines tend to do much better than those who buy during booms. You hear me Warren Buffet?
4) Struggle makes us FOCUSED.
Although I tend to be a hardcore capitalist, a part of me misses the activism of the 1960s, when people cared about more than making a dollar. OK, I wasn’t around in the 1960s, but I’ve watched enough old movies. Going through tough times not only teaches one to pursue a higher purpose in life, it also leads individuals to more carefully scrutinize the state of affairs in our government. In fact, I dare to argue that the financial crisis was just what Barack Obama needed to secure his election over John McCain. Economic prosperity allows us the luxury of choosing our politicians based on silly issues, like gay marriage (as we did in 2004). When we are worried about putting food on the table, we look beyond the silliness and choose the most qualified and most intelligent person for the job (after ensuring that he knows Africa really is a continent). Finally, tough economic times make you more responsible in your own money management, as the threat of financial insecurity keeps us all on high alert.
Although I tend to be a hardcore capitalist, a part of me misses the activism of the 1960s, when people cared about more than making a dollar. OK, I wasn’t around in the 1960s, but I’ve watched enough old movies. Going through tough times not only teaches one to pursue a higher purpose in life, it also leads individuals to more carefully scrutinize the state of affairs in our government. In fact, I dare to argue that the financial crisis was just what Barack Obama needed to secure his election over John McCain. Economic prosperity allows us the luxury of choosing our politicians based on silly issues, like gay marriage (as we did in 2004). When we are worried about putting food on the table, we look beyond the silliness and choose the most qualified and most intelligent person for the job (after ensuring that he knows Africa really is a continent). Finally, tough economic times make you more responsible in your own money management, as the threat of financial insecurity keeps us all on high alert.
Those are my points, so again, please don’t kill the messenger. I certainly do not celebrate a weak economy, but I am a firm believer that focusing too much on the door that shuts keeps us from appreciating the ones that just opened. There’s always light at the end of the tunnel, a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow, and….well, you get the point. It’s the toughness of tough times that make the good times good. Keep hanging in there, it’ll be ok.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of “Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in ways that Feel Good.” For more information, please visit http://www.boycewatkins.com/.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Black Finance Professor Speaks Out "Against D.L. Hughley Breaks the News"
Dr. Boyce Watkins
www.BoyceWatkins.com
Hey peeps!
The response I received from you guys on the new CNN show, “DL Hughley Breaks the News” was overwhelming. Within 20 minutes of sending out the email statement, we had an entire inbox full of messages expressing extreme disappointment in CNN and this offensive new show. This helped me realize that we need to do something about it.
Our goal is to present an intelligent, dignified and firm response to CNN, letting them know that programming based on racial stereotypes is not acceptable. Political satire can be quite funny, but it must be intelligent, balanced and conscientious. This is not the brand of humor presented in “DL Hughley Breaks the News”, which went back to the same degrading media stereotypes and disturbing images that scholars and consumers have been upset about for decades. Senator Obama opened the door for us to see ourselves as educated, enlightened and empowered, so the last thing we need is to be readmitted to the asylum of pimps, thugs, criminals and buffoons.
A sample letter you can use to contact CNN is presented below. You can get the contact information at this link. You can also forward this link and email to anyone you believe to share your sentiments regarding how our community should respond to this painful and disappointing new show. If you wish to hear my personal comments on the topic, please click here.
Finally, don’t forget that we are going to “Get our paper straight in 2008”, so if you wish to join our group for Dr. Boyce Financial Advice, please click here.
The sample letter is below. You can get contact information for key decision-makers at CNN by clicking here. Remember: Change won’t start with Obama or McCain. Meaningful change is going to start with US.
To CNN and its key decision-makers,
As a member of the Your Black World coalition, I am writing to inform you that I found your recently released show, “DL Hughley Breaks the News” to be a tremendous disappointment. While I certainly respect CNN’s effort to develop itself as “The most trusted name in news”, I did not find the new DL Hughley show to be consistent with the degree of trust that CNN has worked to obtain with the American public.
The 2008 Presidential campaign represents an amazing landmark for change within our country by allowing an African American male to present himself to the world as a dignified and educated member of our society, an image which lies in stark contrast to media representations confining Black men to being criminals, rappers, athletes and entertainers. I found it disheartening that this progress was reversed by CNN’s decision to create a show which relied on the very same stereotypes to build a consistent stream of laughs at the expense of African Americans everywhere. The show was also degrading to those in the broader community who support the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama, and who wish to see our great country move past the deep and painful wounds created by our nation’s legacy of racial inequality.
We ask that you discontinue the show, “DL Hughley Breaks the News”, and consider a brand of political humor that is respectful to all ethnicities and shows greater appreciation for the tremendous gains made in the 2008 Presidential election. Perhaps then, CNN can regain its status as “The most trusted name in news”.
Sincerely,
The Your Black World Coalition
www.BoyceWatkins.com
Hey peeps!
The response I received from you guys on the new CNN show, “DL Hughley Breaks the News” was overwhelming. Within 20 minutes of sending out the email statement, we had an entire inbox full of messages expressing extreme disappointment in CNN and this offensive new show. This helped me realize that we need to do something about it.
Our goal is to present an intelligent, dignified and firm response to CNN, letting them know that programming based on racial stereotypes is not acceptable. Political satire can be quite funny, but it must be intelligent, balanced and conscientious. This is not the brand of humor presented in “DL Hughley Breaks the News”, which went back to the same degrading media stereotypes and disturbing images that scholars and consumers have been upset about for decades. Senator Obama opened the door for us to see ourselves as educated, enlightened and empowered, so the last thing we need is to be readmitted to the asylum of pimps, thugs, criminals and buffoons.
A sample letter you can use to contact CNN is presented below. You can get the contact information at this link. You can also forward this link and email to anyone you believe to share your sentiments regarding how our community should respond to this painful and disappointing new show. If you wish to hear my personal comments on the topic, please click here.
Finally, don’t forget that we are going to “Get our paper straight in 2008”, so if you wish to join our group for Dr. Boyce Financial Advice, please click here.
The sample letter is below. You can get contact information for key decision-makers at CNN by clicking here. Remember: Change won’t start with Obama or McCain. Meaningful change is going to start with US.
To CNN and its key decision-makers,
As a member of the Your Black World coalition, I am writing to inform you that I found your recently released show, “DL Hughley Breaks the News” to be a tremendous disappointment. While I certainly respect CNN’s effort to develop itself as “The most trusted name in news”, I did not find the new DL Hughley show to be consistent with the degree of trust that CNN has worked to obtain with the American public.
The 2008 Presidential campaign represents an amazing landmark for change within our country by allowing an African American male to present himself to the world as a dignified and educated member of our society, an image which lies in stark contrast to media representations confining Black men to being criminals, rappers, athletes and entertainers. I found it disheartening that this progress was reversed by CNN’s decision to create a show which relied on the very same stereotypes to build a consistent stream of laughs at the expense of African Americans everywhere. The show was also degrading to those in the broader community who support the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama, and who wish to see our great country move past the deep and painful wounds created by our nation’s legacy of racial inequality.
We ask that you discontinue the show, “DL Hughley Breaks the News”, and consider a brand of political humor that is respectful to all ethnicities and shows greater appreciation for the tremendous gains made in the 2008 Presidential election. Perhaps then, CNN can regain its status as “The most trusted name in news”.
Sincerely,
The Your Black World Coalition
Friday, August 1, 2008
YourBlackPolitics: Obama Flip-Flops Again?: Will Support Offshore Drilling
Barack Obama Friday dropped his opposition to offshore oil drilling, saying he could go along with the idea if it was part of a broader energy package.
Obama made his comments in St. Petersburg during an interview with the Palm Beach Post. "My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices," he said.
"If, in order to get that passed, we have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that was carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage - I don't want to be so rigid that we can't get something done," the paper quoted Obama as saying.
The change is dramatic because Obama often pointed to his opposition to drilling as a key difference between himself and presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
"I will keep the moratorium in place and prevent oil companies from drilling off Florida’s coasts," Obama said in Florida in June.
Friday, he said he was still not a fan of drilling, telling the Palm Beach paper, "I think it's important for the American people to understand we're not going to drill our way out of this problem."
Obama also said, in a separate statement issued by his campaign, that he supported the bipartisan energy plan offered by 10 senators Friday.
"Like all compromises, it also includes steps that I haven't always supported," he said. "I remain skeptical that new offshore drilling will bring down gas prices in the short-term or significantly reduce our oil dependence in the long-term, though I do welcome the establishment of a process that will allow us to make future drilling decisions based on science and fact."
The proposal would end most of the ban on drilling. It would allow a 50-mile buffer on the east coast, as well as Florida's west coast. Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina would be permitted to start oil and natural gas exploration outside the buffer.
Any oil, the senators said, would have to stay in this country.
McCain reacted quickly to Obama's switch in positions, telling the Associated Press, "We need oil drilling and we need it now offshore. He has consistently opposed it. He has opposed nuclear power. He has opposed reprocessing. He has opposed storage."
Experts estimate that even if drilling proves to sharply increase oil supplies, its effects will not be felt for at least seven and probably 10 years.
But the concept has proven popular, and McCain has made it a centerpiece of his stump speeches and some of his television ads...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Black News: Black News Headlines July 20, 2008
Kanye West Has Been Booked for the Democratic National Convention
Dr. Boyce Speaks with Rev. Jesse Jackson - Sunday July 20, 2008 - 8 am
Michelle Obama's Greatest Blurbs
Barack Obama Heads to Afghanistan
Black Money: $100 Billion Dollars Won't Buy a Loaf of Bread in Zimbabwe
Bankrupt America - More Americans Going Broke - Leland C. Abraham, Esq.
NFL Set to Look for Gang Signs on the Field
Dr. Boyce: Nas, Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson - My Quick Thoughts
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
FOX News Attempts To Disparage Jesse Jackson
CHICAGO - Fox News says the Rev. Jesse Jackson used the N-word during a break in a TV interview where he criticized presidential candidate Barack Obama. The longtime civil rights leader already came under fire this month for crude off-air comments he made against Obama in what he thought was a private conversation during a taping of a "Fox & Friends" news show.
Now a Fox spokesman says Jackson used the N-word to refer to black people during that taping as he said Obama was talking down to them. Those comments were not aired.
Jackson — who is traveling in Spain — apologized in a statement Wednesday for "hurtful words" but didn't offer specifics.
The N-word comment was first reported by blog TVNewser. Fox declined to release the transcript.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Santita Jackson Says: Respect Yourself!
On her WVON radio show this morning, Santita Jackson interrupted a caller - who complained that Black Men are patently irresponsible, and incapable of holding their personal weight - and spoke extensively on the necessity of Black people to keep their emotional encounters away from discussion on public policy. The Theme show for the day was, "Personal Responsibility" vis-a-vis Barack Obama's NAACP Speech yesterday. Ron Walters was the guest of the day, who warned Blacks to hold Barack Obama's feet to the fire -- if they anticipate some substantive derivative from an Obama Presidency. It was when numerous guests began to call in, berating the idea of holding Barack Obama accountable - while suggesting that the Black community is innately disorganized - that Ms. Jackson flipped the script, and spoke spiritedly in defense of Black men, and the Black community. She made a rallying cry for both personal-responsibility and moral-responsibility of the society we exist in. To cap off the show, she urged her listeners to Respect Themselves by all means, and not pre-judge or analyze the entire swath of the Black Male population, from their personal encounters with former boyfriends, baby daddys and husbands. In a timely fashion, she rounded by playing The Staple Singers' hit, "Respect Yourself":
Obama Distances Himself From Blacks: Ron Walters
Just back from the RainbowPush convention in Chicago sponsored by Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., I was struck by the fact that neither Barack nor Michelle Obama showed up and they live virtually right down the street.
The symbol of Obama's absence was made even more vivid to me because he was out making nice with Hillary Clinton to knit together a unified campaign in the fall.
I understand that, but I also understand that he could have showed up, when Governor Bill Richardson, who lives in New Mexico not only showed up, but gave a rousing speech crediting the civil rights movement for much of the political success of the Hispanic community and his own.
I know, I know, it is common knowledge now that Barack Obama has to distance himself from Black radicals, from his church, and much of his community in order to make White voters comfortable enough with him to trust him and then give him their votes. And he will probably show at the NAACP Convention. But the troubling trend which finds him absent from other venues that are the substance of Black life looks like he is taking the Black community for granted because of their thirst for his victory.
I was not too put out when Obama did not show up at the State of Black America, because Michelle Obama was offered to Tavis Smiley and Obama was campaigning to win a touch primary in Indiana.
Jackson, however, not only was material in Barack Obama's rise to the State Senate and the U. S. senate, he represents to most people the living legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
That is important because the Civil Rights movement is implicated in Obama's victories, since he won 99 pledged Delegates in nine Southern states during the primary elections. This performance was in states where Blacks constituted one-third or more of the Democratic party base, states where the Voting Rights Act worked to empower Black voters to make a difference.
Without those 99 delegates, Hillary Clinton would have won the pledged delegate race and the popular vote and most surely would have won the nomination.
The question this raises is whether the sophistication of Black voters in this case will eventually cost them. Blacks have a long history of voting for Whites when the potential returns were based on hope.
If we support a Black candidate for president of the United States, I think that it is fair to ask whether we will have more or less access - at least as much access as we did to Bill Clinton - and whether he will deliver the goods for our community.
My concern here is that theory of Black politics should be to move our community from just hoping their political participation will lead to resources, to exercising tough leverage over politicians to negotiate potential returns to our community in exchange for our vote.
In fact, one of the lessons of Rev. Jackson's two previous presidential campaigns is that "Hope and Trust politics" is not as effective as the ability to trade votes for future support. The irony is however, that when a Black person runs for high profile office our leverage often disappears because we are asked to trust that the person will deliver based on their ties to the Black community.
The Black community didn't have to play the politics of leverage with Rev. Jackson because he had proved his fidelity to their needs through his history and in his presidential campaigns he spoke forcefully to their issues. I know, I know, he didn't win.
But I am driven to ask what the traditional notion of "winning" is worth under circumstances where the level of trust is not as high, because the message is absent and the candidate is absent. In other words, how much can the Black community count on the delivery of goods and services by a Black president who presence and message does not privilege his own community.
What concerns me is that we are involved in a great celebration without checking the guidepost that determine whether or not there will be sufficient returns to our community from a Black president in the White House. The irony is that Obama is likely to win, we will have to accept him, but under circumstances where he is essentially a White candidate, so we should "bottom line" our public policy requirements now as every other community is doing.
Dr. Ron Walters is the Distinguished Leadership Scholar, Director of the African American Leadership Center and Professor of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland College Park.
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