One Mo’ Gin: Obama Says He Is Not The President of Black America

August 8th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

Source: washingtonpost.com

I feel like I’ve heard this at least once before but it never hurts to repeat it when you’re constantly criticized for not doing enough for your people. In a recent interview with Black Enterprise, President Barack Obama was asked how he feels about criticism that his administration hasn’t done enough to support black businesses, and he said this:

“My general view has been consistent throughout, which is that I want all businesses to succeed. I want all Americans to have opportunity. I’m not the president of black America. I’m the president of the United States of America, but the programs that we have put in place have been directed at those folks who are least able to get financing through conventional means, who have been in the past locked out of opportunities that were available to everybody. So, I’ll put my track record up against anybody in terms of us putting in place broad-based programs that ultimately had a huge benefit for African American businesses.”

The president definitely does have an entire nation to worry about, and theoretically a positive policy for American business should improve Black American business under that umbrella, but that doesn’t mean that certain segments of the population don’t need or even receive more attention than others when it comes to various issues. Not long ago, the president openly supported gay marriage, and though it’s not as though he could create a policy to legalize same-sex marriage across the country, the move was a serious head nod to the gay community—albeit a political one.

A comment on BE’s interview summarizes well the frustration some black people feel with the president. One reader wrote:

“He’s not the president of black america, yet he needs the black vote!! When other groups holler they get his attention, when we do we’re told to stop complaining and put on our marching boots. We defend him the most and get s***ted on by him in the process. Black unemployment is through the roof and we have no right to complain?”

When asked about the 14% black unemployment rate, the president offered this:

“Most economists will tell you that there is no doubt the economy has gotten stronger, but we are digging ourselves out a deep hole. There are a lot more things we could be doing. To get them done, we need cooperation of Congress. We got the payroll tax portion of [my American Jobs Act] done, but what we didn’t get done is the assistance I was proposing to the states to help them hire back teachers, firefighters, and first responders, because one of the weakest parts of this recovery has been state and local government hiring.

“Given the weaknesses of the construction industry, the American Jobs Act proposed that we rebuild schools, roads, bridges, airport, and ports. That would provide small businesses with opportunities as contractors and vendors in this rebuilding process. Again, Congress needs to act.”

And when it comes to housing, he said:

“Something that has disproportionally affected a lot of minority communities around the country, both African American and Hispanic, [is that] they were preyed upon when it came to predatory lending. What we have been able to do is to help those who have mortgages held by government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. We have been able to help them refinance at historically low rates, which saves somebody as much as $2,500 a year. And that’s money in their pockets that they can either be spending at your local small business or [to] help them rebuild equity in their homes.

“My goal, not just leading up to the election but as long as I’m president of the United States, where we have the capacity to act on our own through the executive branch to widen opportunity or to give small businesses a fair shot, we are going to do it.”

It’s possible we’ll have the next four years to see how that pans out.

Do you agree with the president’s take on helping black businesses during the economic recovery?

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  • FromUR2UB

    I think people need to specify which black people they feel he doesn’t help. Do they mean those guys you see wandering around on weekdays in most cities, who aren’t dressed or groomed like they have any purpose, who spend their days sitting around talking with a bunch of other guys who have nothing to do? No, I’m not talking about homeless people. Are they talking about people who are unemployable because of a string of legal troubles…or because they’re undereducated? What about the ones who really aren’t trying to find jobs? Will an initiative by the president or an act of Congress help them? It’s probably never going to be like the 50’s and 60’s when black people could get on at the Post Office, or get a manufacturing job and make good money. A harsh fact of life is that times and conditions have changed. People who haven’t kept in step with the knowledge necessary to get job now, are going to have it tough. There is nothing anyone can do for them; they have to do it for themselves. People seemingly want to ignore the education part it. To ensure that their children will not grow into someone who is unemployable, they need to start with the basics of making them go to school, do their homework and spend some spare time reading. If they’re going to make sacrifices so that their kids can “have”, then sacrifice for reading and educational materials, or musical instruments and lessons, rather than sneakers, electronic video games, or name brand clothes…inconsequential stuff. Be sure they are learning skills that might someday provide them a means for income. Stop acting like that’s something only white people do for their kids.

  • http://twitter.com/assassinsfate Assassinsfate

    It’s as if every other group who helped to put Obama in office can expect a pay out for their votes but black people had better not expect anything from him.If we ask anything of him we are demanding too much or expecting him to be ONLY the black president. I’m sorry, I don’t know a single black person who has expected this man to only do for blacks but I know plenty who expect him to live up to his promise same as we would expect a white president to do. I mean if we weren’t expecting some sort of policy to help out our struggling communities, what in the heyell did most of us go to the polls for…to make history? GTFOH with this seriously!!!

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  • Guest360

    I agree with his stance. Yes he is black but the last time I checked, when you’re elected into public office you’re supposed to look out for the interests of ALL your constituency. Not just the ones who look like you. It’s incredibly unfair to think that he should be more focused on helping black Americans in this country over whites, Hispanics, Asians, gays, and every other group out there who need just as much help as blacks. Do I think he could be doing more? Most definitely but anyone thinking his sole focus should be on the affairs of black Americans really don’t know what the job of a president is. He represents America. Not just black folks. His job is to give Americans of ALL races, nationalities, and creeds the chance to do and be better.

    • Candacey Doris

      thank you

  • Na Na

    Maybe I am wrong, but I definitely believe that as a African-American President he should be putting more effort into looking out for the African American people, be it education reform, job programs, small business help,arts in the education (hello Bey and J) or something. The same way a Hispanic President would his Latino people. I find it really hard to get down with the fact that he thinks that he doesn’t owe “Black America” anything, when if it weren’t for “Black America” I can guarantee you he would not be in office. Another example of nepotism working for every group except us. Its cool, build for your own family just don’t put blind trust in Pres. Obama or any other person just because their kin is similar to yours.

    • Hey

      With this kind of attitude, you would have continually growth of racism, nepotism and entitlement. Where every race or group looks out just for themselves. How would you feel if the next president; using your latino example, only looks out for latinos in the US. Won’t you be up and arms about it. All the president is trying to do is find a balanced spot. Also, he might be the president but his decisions are check-mate by congress, so he doesn’t act in silo!

      • Na na

        I did not say only! Please don’t twist my words.

      • jray

        so why did you vote for obama, or any other president . is it not because you thought these people would benefit you or not

    • Wood

      Just like a white president should only look after white people?

      • Nefertiti’s Daughter

        What do you think they’ve been doing the past 200yrs????

        • jray

          exactly blacks know they voted for obama because he is black with the expectation that he would connect with them and now he hasn’t all of a sudden he is every bodies president Blacks were in church screaming like it was the return of Christ why was so much emotion involved with this man because you thought you made it to the promise land SMH

        • Wood

          And? That means we should continue the trend of looking out for our own ethnicity why? Two wrongs don’t make a right. Showing favoritism hurts everyone in the long run. This is a multiracial country and everyone should be treated equally. Yes, the past presidents did only look out for whites, but they aren’t the current president are they? Let’s stop harping on the broken past and focus on a unified future.

          • bishop

            Why is it always up to black folks to start doing the right thing and buck the trend when we get into a place of power? smh!…I feel the President should be doing more to help the black community.

            • Wood

              Why would you want to stoop down to their level? As a people, we need to set the tone and lead. As people of color, we know what it’s like to be marginalized, and should do as much as we can to make sure that no race is put in that position. Black people have always wanted equality right? It starts with us.

        • Na Na

          Thank you! And I don’t know why Madame Noire won’t post my reply that said I DID NOT SAY ONLY stop misconstruing my words! And yes, why should we be the only group while in power that doesn’t help ourselves. Not saying don’t help others but YES show a little favoritism, help us out a little. All you with the thumbs down I’m certain have received a job based off of who you know before. That’s how the game goes, except when it comes to African Americans we are for some reason supposed to not acknowledge the game? SMH, people are clearly confused.

          • Na Na

            This was in response to Nefertiti and definitely not Wood.

    • jray

      i agree with you blacks voted for obama because they thought he was going to do something for them and he has not. Most blacks will still vote for him no matter what because they will ignore everything he does so they won’t look wrong. I bet you most blacks won’t vote for romney at all This is the problem. Blacks were screaming at the top of their lungs in church when obama won. Why because you thought he was going to help you because he was black and now he hasn’t done as much as you would have liked, now he is the president for everybody now make up your mind Blacks have a tendency to ignore truth and get real ignorant once their emotionally involved and that is what obama fed off of, your emotion and hope for change

      • Candacey Doris

        Don’t over-exaggerate by saying that black people vote for Obama just because he’s black. That’s a completely wrong statement.I’m not voting for Romney because he has no connection to me at all. He doesn’t get the problems of a grad student trying to make ends meet. These are problems that every student in my shoes have, of every race. Romney would like to get rid of student loans, jack the interest up on those of us that already have them, and get rid of public schooling. He thinks continuing tax cuts that were begun for purposes that no longer exist is a good idea. Not to mention his stance on healthcare and equal rights.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=536872959 Aaron T. Starks

        The only person that thinks Obama has done anything for Black America is a foo. Unfortunately, Black America has way too many fools…

        • Anonymous

          The people that also think he should specially have different policies for blacks because he’s black is a fool. It’s not a matter if he has done anything or not, the point is STOP THE FINGER POINTING, IT WILL GET YOU NO WHERE, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN SELF. Blacks are good at waiting around for the government to SAVE them, first it was Clinton, “The first black president” and now Obama. The government will NOT save you, you are to save yourself. The are far too many problems in the communities that needs to be addressed but stop waiting around for someone to do it for you. President Obama has other major issues on his mind. His emphasis has been education, and if anybody is not getting with the program, it’s your fault.

          • Winning

            Best comment I’ve read all day! I am a black woman and WAS unemployed. Instead of waiting for the government to save me. I started my own business. I’m no different than anyone else.

    • jray

      i agree with you blacks voted for obama because they thought he was going to do something for them and he has not. Most blacks will still vote for him no matter what because they will ignore everything he does so they won’t look wrong. I bet you most blacks won’t vote for romney at all This is the problem. Blacks were screaming at the top of their lungs in church when obama won. Why because you thought he was going to help you because he was black and now he hasn’t done as much as you would have liked, now he is the president for everybody now make up your mind Blacks have a tendency to ignore truth and get real ignorant once their emotionally involved and that is what obama fed off of, your emotion and hope for change

    • Candacey Doris

      So he should do what we hate rich white politicians for doing? Take a page out of their book an be yet another president only out for those that are like him? That’s terrible on so many levels.

    • Anonymous

      “If it weren’t for Black America, I can guarantee you he would not be in office”…WRONG STATEMENT. No black person will get in position of power if you don’t have majority of whites supporting you. He had the white collar, Jewish, White, Asian, Black, upper, middle class, then minorities. What specifically helped him were the YOUNG VOTERS of different ethnic groups. Black votes contributed, but not the main FACTOR. He has every right to say, he’s not the president of Black America, because the community is coming after him, putting unrealistic high expectation on him, bashing him for no reason like he should have special programs separately catered to blacks. He’s in a tough position, he’s under major scrutiny, whites are constantly accusing him bcos he’s black. He recently signed a program that will help African American education, then he got bashed by blacks again. We are so good at talking, no action. The best way is for us to come with strategy and things that we can present to the president, not pointing fingers all the time.