(StephenJSmith.com--Murfreesboro, TN) Critiques of President Barack Obama and his commitment to address addressing the economic, educational, and societal disparities president in the Black community are not recent news.  However, throughout the past 18 months, voices from prominent Black leaders and intellectuals have spoken out in both support and opposition of the Obama administration’s lack of an agenda for the impoverished and disenfranchised members of Blacks in America.

From television and radio personality Tavis Smiley’s call for a “Black Agenda” in 2010 to Dr. Cornel West’s statements last week accusing Obama of essentially being a “white man in black skin,” the criticisms of both Obama’s policies and blackness have been thrown in the ring of public discussion.  From what began as a unwavering loyalty and dedication to the support of President Obama and all for which he stands has now become what seems to be a house divided when discussing Black sentiments toward the Obama administration and the presidential agenda that isn’t as progressive as they believed it would be.

As with most widely debated issues in the Black community, a grasp of the proper context in which to frame this debate can go a long way. 

What factors over time created the varying perspectives within the Black community related to President Obama and his efforts to aid Black people? Are the critiques of Obama made by today’s “Black leadership” coming from the right places, or are the detracting statements simply the result of bruised egos?

These are the kinds of questions we all must ascertain if we are to aid in the progression of the debate, as opposed to contributing to its dilution.

The truth of the matter is this:  Barack Obama is the President of the United States, not the President of Black America.  Is there more that can be done to address the educational woes that plague Black communities across the country? Probably so, but the increase in funding for federal student loans (which had a disproportionately positive impact on African-American students) and an executive order to increase HBCU funding by $98 million prove that the educational deficiencies within the Black community are not being ignored.

Could he make the effort to meet more frequently with members of the Congressional Black Caucus? I believe so.  However, I hardly believe Obama’s lack of frequent meetings with CBC membership translates as him not being connected to the needs of the Black community.  While he may not meet with the CBC legislators as much as they may desire, Obama has plenty of people working to maintain the pulse of what goes on in all minority communities: Asian-American, Hispanic, Indian American, Native American, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon, and, yes, the Black community.

Remember, before we as people raise our voices to say President Obama is not addressing what we call “Black issues,” ask yourself what are YOU doing to address these “Black issues” you come across more frequently than he does.  Are you attending your local city council meetings, asking the questions to which your community needs answers?  How often do you practice and promote sound fiscal responsibility in your daily life?

We must remember that for change to occur with any issue in the Black community, beginning with looking in the mirror is paramount to accomplishing our goals.  We have to wake up from the “Black President euphoria” and realize that the first person of color elected as the Leader of the Free World does not absolve us of our responsibilities as a people, nor does it provide us a scapegoat for all that ails our communities.  The sooner we realize this, the sooner we can see positive results from which we all can reap the benefits.

Consider this: After President Obama’s second term in office ends in 2016 (which isn’t very far way), what will we do then? Go back to blaming the “White Man?” -_-
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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, is applauded by Princeton Professor Cornel West, far left, as he takes the stage at the Martin Luther King Day March to the Dome in Columbia, S.C., Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) AP
Stephen Smith is a recent graduate fromt the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with degrees in Political Science and Africana Studies.  He is currently working in Tennessee as a Field Organizer for Organizing for America.  In 2009, he created StephenJSmith.com, a fully-interactive site featuring the latest world news, blogs, interviews, social commentary, and preferred readings.  He can be contacted at stephen.smith1911@gmail.com.
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These people, among many others, made great sacrifices so that we may afford the opportunities we presently have...
Throughout this past March up until now, I have been pondering many issues in Black America.  While there are many issues that I could have written about, why not address a topic that is avoided like the plague in the African-American community? 

I read an article the other week that raised the question of whether or not Black History Month has lost its luster.  The article basically said that, based on the importance (or lack thereof) the media placed on Black History Month leading up to and during the month of February, America has "moved on" from its harsh racial past and that the emphasis that Black History Month places on Black Civil Rights and the negative images and memories that it invokes is no longer needed in today's "post-racial" society.

I then proceeded to ask a few of my friends what they thought about Black History Month this year and a lot of them were upset that the month didn't get as much "shine" as it deserved.  When I asked them why they felt this way, they said "because White folks don't wanna know the truth about all that Black people did to get the country to where it is today."

But wait...do WE want to know the truth about Black History Month? How many of us know more about the Black struggle in America than just Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks on the bus? Who has read any of the great literary works of W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Booker T. Washington, or any of the many great minds of our past?

Black people love to talk about Civil Rights as if its a badge of honor we fight to protect daily, when, in reality, we know absolutely nothing about the struggle.  To be up in arms about the perceived lack of recognition and reverence for a month dedicated to the stuggles and achievements made by our predecessors without a single inclination to pick up a book or educate ourselves to gain a deeper understanding of those people or the social climate in which they fought is a complete show of ignorance, disrespect, and disregard for all that they stood for.

One thing about Black people is that we LOVE to meet...LOVE to discuss issues facing US.  In these discussions, gatherings, seminars, and meetings, we LOVE to refer to the past and what our pioneers did during their time.  The sad part is that if we were to go to college campuses and speak with leaders of prominent Black organizations (on my campus, that would be NAACP, BCPC, MAP, NPHC organizations, etc.), it is highly unlikely that most could tell you any more than surface-level information about those pioneers they LOVE to reference.

Take a moment to think about what this means.  Our pioneers' dedication to something greater for the future is the basis of what we do as human beings in today's world, especially as Black leaders in any capacity, on college campuses or in our careers.  Therefore, if we can't gain an understanding of the HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF BLACK LEADERSHIP through the speeches, literary works, movements, demonstrations, and lives of those that laid the foundation for us, how can we TRULY be effective in our roles leading others?
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King hit the nail right on the head with this statement.  How dare we live our lives on the shoulders of these great men and women, yet never think to pay them the respect of educating ourselves about our past?  A widely-known adage states that one should only "speak on what they know."  If this holds true across all aspects of society, when it comes to Black History and the Black struggle for progress in America, a lot of us Black people should KEEP SILENT.
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Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the night before he was assassinated.
On November 2, 1983, in the White House Rose Garden, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill proposed by Indiana Representative Katie Hall, creating a federal holiday honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Many people, nationally and globally, use this day to reflect upon the legacy of a man who fought relentlessly for equal rights and liberties for all mankind.  Some spend the day engaging in service opportunities, and others hold community programs in honor of this great individual. However, one day of good deeds and reflection fails to do King's societal impact justice. 

In many ways, King was the Civil Rights Movement. While many leaders did their part in the push for civil equality (such as Ralph Abernathy and C.T. Vivian), a vast majority would agree that King was the face of civil rights. It is hard to fathom exactly where race relations in America would be today without him.  

Dr. King's messages of love for one another and hope for a brighter future resonated in the hearts and minds of people of all colors and creeds, spearheading a movement that opened many doors for African-Americans and all minorities for generations to come. 

Today, almost 43 years since King's assassination, we take time to look back on his hard work with great appreciation and reverence. The liberties and opportunities we enjoy on a daily basis that go without acknowledgement from us would not even be possible without the sacrifices of leaders such as King. However, one must wonder what Dr. King would think of US...Black America, on this day.
While humorous, the message is clear...
Dr. King spoke of love for one another, harmony and unity. Do we as African-Americans practice this in our families, on our college campuses, in our workplaces...in our CHURCHES, for that matter? Have we been guilty or been a victim of spreading lies, verbally tearing down others, or ostracizing people from our social circles for meaningless, superficial reasons?

It has been said thousands of times before, but it still rings true today: if Black America is to move forward, we shed these "crabs in a bucket" and "I got mine, you get yours" mentalities, and it all starts with YOU, the individual.

Make the decision today to start supporting one another and caring about each other's well-being (even those we do not know), smile and speak as we pass by each other, and make the effort to understand each other, for we all have a different story and we are also not as different from one another as we may want to believe.

The conscious effort must be made each and every day to do these simple things. Then, and only then, will the sacrifices of Dr. King and others not be in vain.
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A friend of mine showed me this video, and I had to share it with you all.  While it is quite humorous, it most certainly is relatable in some way to both black men and women. 

What are your thoughts on the message relayed in this video? Is this a good representation of black dating & relationships today? Leave comments and share your opinions
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In recent weeks, we've heard quite a few rumblings about the Tea Party Movement and its racial undertones.  The recent happenings have the whole country talking.  However, where has all the talk led us? Do many of us even know what the Tea Party is about? Do we realize the potential damage the Tea Party Movement can do to American politics as we know it today? Let's take a closer look...


The Tea Party movement is an American socio-political movement that arose in 2009 as a result of several nationally and locally coordinated protests.  Its roots stem from Ron Paul's presidential campaign in which supporters rallied behind Paul's fiscal conservatism, a value which the Tea Party strongly advocates.


Tea Party protests are usually in opposition to federal laws, mainly economically-focused.  The main laws protested through the Tea Party movement are the Healthcare Reform Bills, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly known as the "Stimulus Bill") , the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (also known as the financial bailout). Tea Party supporters emphatically express their dissatisfaction with government spending, taxes, and government involvement in the private sector.


Local Tea Party protests have drawn a great amount of negative press over the last few weeks.  Statements of hate and bigotry made at these rallies have overtaken news outlets and have sparked intense debate about whether the movement's real problem is with the president's policies or the president's pigment. However, bigoted statements and other unfounded accusations about our current government are to be expected considering the movement's purpose: speak out against and derail any of the POTUS and Democratic Party's plans.
The dangerous aspect of the Tea Party movement is that most of the supporters cannot even articulate their grievances with the government in power.  You'll always hear "OBAMA IS A SOCIALIST," "STOP THE SPENDING," and "CUT TAXES," but when asked about specific socialist practices of which the Obama administration has been guilty or about the specific things on which the government should stop spending, most have absolutely no clue. Some Tea Party supporters speak in pure, unadulterated hate
aimed at the Obama administration, the Democratic Party, and anyone else that does not align with their views.
This type of "blind protesting" can be dangerous on both political and social levels.  Put it this way: with a lack of knowledge on the issues, it is easier to stray from the original focus of the debate and wander into personal bias and prejudice (racial, political, etc.), which can lead to a skewing and slanting of the facts.  This, in turn, can mislead many voters and have an incredibly negative effect on several aspects of government, with campaign strategies and nationwide distrust of politics feeling the most immediate of consequences.


In conclusion, do not be led to believe this is only about the Tea Party movement.  If we're all honest with ourselves, a large majority of people against the Tea Party movement and other conservatives are just as uneducated/uninterested in the real issues of our government.  Each and every one of us living in this country should feel as if they are personally responsible for educating not only ourselves on the issues, but also each other.  


The government will never truly work for the people until the people begin to engage in RESPECFUL and EDUCATED dialogue. Only then will be able to demand what is REALLY needed for the country as a whole to move forward.
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