Jackson Free Press

In past columns I've spoken about what has been coined the "savior complex," the tendency of a group, party or race to expect one individual to be the answer to all that ails it. It's the thought that by electing or appointing the perfect person to a position of power, we can sit back and watch as they magically make everything better with the stroke of a hand.

In the black community, locally and nationally, the story has played itself out all too often.

Some thought that Martin Luther King Jr. would end all the problems in the black community. When things didn't move fast enough, out came the complaints. When the Montgomery bus boycott didn't yield immediate results, folks whispered that King "may not be the one."

When former Jackson Mayor Frank Melton declared he would end crime in 90 days, some folks rejoiced. They actually believed that they could sit at home and watch Melton conduct a one-man crusade against criminals.

It's always easier when you can sit back and watch. Hell, when things fail we can just blame him and absolve ourselves of any culpability. Well, we all know how that "experiment" worked out. Crime still happens in Jackson, and we quickly realized that it would take a concerted effort between our leaders, law enforcement and the courts to curb crime. No one person signals a solution.

When America elected its first black president in 2008, I cautiously celebrated. While it was indeed a historical moment, I hoped that black folks wouldn't mark this as a milestone where all our problems would be fixed. Then there were the "Obama's gonna pay for my gas and mortgage" clips on Youtube, and it became an omen of things to come.

Fast forward to 2011. President Obama's approval ratings have dropped below 50 percent. Pundits say he's losing traction with his black voter base. Unemployment has risen to nearly 16 percent in the black community, and some have rested that issue squarely at the feet of our president.

Listen. Blaming Obama for problems in our community is a stretch, at best. Saying that's he's not doing enough to address unemployment is a little premature as well. But then again, for those of us who expected everything—from monthly "Obama money" to more black sitcoms on TV—it's probably a rude awakening. You realize Obama is not a savior. He is but a man, a vessel with no magic, a leader who can only be as effective as his colleagues in Congress and a leader who can only be as effective as his followers.

There are no worldly saviors. And though we expect much of our public officials, they cannot singlehandedly change policy within the confines of government. King couldn't end racism and inequality with speeches and marches. Melton couldn't end crime with his unorthodox methods, and Obama's unquestionable swagger is not going to put folks to work or a chicken in every pot.

It's going to take work, work from us all to steer this ship into calmer waters. And, to paraphrase the recent words of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed on MSNBC, if you don't think Obama is focusing enough on black folk, then what's the alternative? Do you think Rick Perry, Mitt Romney or Michele Bachmann have a "black agenda" to roll out?

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

164807

Comment

Kaze, I can appreciate your insights and honesty. Too many people in general, and Black folks in particular, are treating our democracy as a spectator sport, with a little arm chair quarterbacking on the side. I think that Barack Obama; though he is doing an admirable job considering what he is facing from Democrats and Republicans, can stand some criticism. Holding him, or any president or other publically elected official accountable is the stuff of an active democracy. He is not above critique from anyone, including the Black community. The Black community’s critiques have been the backbone that supported more progressive policies throughout the late 20th century, from the civil and voting rights acts, to the expansion of the rights of minorities in the military, and more progressive public assistance programs; Black people’s critiques of the president and the government in general have pushed presidents and governments to do better. We should not abandon that aspect of our collective soul in order to not tarnish the image of Barack Obama. Despite the gains in healthcare, unemployment insurance and stimulus, the Obama Whitehouse has not specifically addressed the disproportionate poverty, educational disparities, incarceration rates and joblessness that ravage many Black communities. To address the issues disproportionately affecting Black people does not make him any “less” a President of the United States; it makes him more of the president of the entire country. Since when did helping improve conditions for Black folks become antithetical to the responsibilities of any US President? Since when did helping Black folks mean hurting the US? I never understood the argument that notes that Black people can’t expect Obama to be the president of Black folks, for he has to be the president of the entire country. Since when did governing the whole country exclude governing for Black people? When did Black people “secede” from the Union? Helping Black people helps the country. Obama’s argument has been that “a rising tide” raises all ships. What does a rising tide do for a sinking or sunken ship? The Black community faces unique challenges as evidenced by the disproportionate poverty and unemployment experienced by many. Obama can address this by targeting programs that specifically address barriers to access to opportunities for Black people, like remedying the academic achievement gap through looking at education as a civil right (rather than the privilege it is now), threatening federal funding for locales that profile Black men for arrest, and fully supporting minority small business startup capital programs. Obama has targeted other minority groups (Hispanics, women, Gays in the Military, etc.), yet, when it comes to Black folks, he has to deal with us with a proverbial “long handle spoon”, while his policies do little to address concerns specific to the Black community. I agree that he cannot do it alone, and that Black people, like any other group, assume personal responsibility for paths taken in life. That reality is not new, nor is it the main issue with disproportionate poverty and joblessness in the Black community. The office of the President is a unique opportunity to address these issues. The federal government has long been an ally of the Black community in times of progressive change. Why should it stop now? Obama doesn’t have to be the President of just Black folks; I just want to be as much my president as he is the president of everyone else. Is that too much to ask?

Author

Renaldo Bryant

Date

2011-09-01T11:22:05-06:00

ID

164812

Comment

Fantastic comments, Blackwatch.

Author

Walt

Date

2011-09-01T15:30:42-06:00

ID

164816

Comment

Blackwatch, absolutely. Obama is not beyond reproach. Nor did I suggest he should be. He's worthy of all the fair criticisms levelled against any President. No mor.e. No less. But I think too many folks expected the deliverance without knowing exactly how much power the President yields. He has a bully pulpit indeed and should use it...often. But we know Obama has faced more opposition from both Republicans AND Democrats than any other prez. Criticize hin. I certainly do. But lets not overdo it.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2011-09-01T16:09:51-06:00

ID

164817

Comment

"Do you think Rick Perry, Mitt Romney or Michele Bachmann have a "black agenda" to roll out?" Beautiful comment 'kaze, me and you are eye to eye on that one "Obama has targeted other minority groups (Hispanics, women, Gays in the Military, etc.), yet, when it comes to Black folks, he has to deal with us with a proverbial “long handle spoon”, while his policies do little to address concerns specific to the Black community" It's amazing to me how many hold one man accountable for political action in the black community, when we have 46 in the congress of this country and 49 in this state that haven't faired any better? I mean let's keep it real we have people that have served way longer in congress and the state legislature of mississippi, than the current president has been in the white house, and they were quite apathetic during the 8 years of Bush and have been in the last 16 years of Republican control here in Mississippi. I understand what Bro. Cornel West and Travis Smiley are saying, but I at the same time, am totally comfortable with how the President is handling the current gridlock in DC. I will say this and keep saying it until it catches on. We have a president that is willing to compromise for the sake of keeping everyone satisified and he's doing it basically at the risk of his own political survival - but I see he's trying to build a case against the current Republican congress, by showing how irresponsible they have been and are towards moving the country forward - as I've been saying "Holding the country hostage, just to make him look bad - thinking it will help them regain the white house" IN which, for everytime the President has came forth with an idea - the only thing Republicans do is shoot it down, by saying it's either reckless or irresponsible - but inturn say "let us get one of our own in their and we can get it fixed" No answers, no direction - their just screaming how stupid the Presidents ideas are. Can't blame a guy, who is running a company - where he has no power to terminate the subordinate staff - but is being held accountable for the total outcome of the company!? The Board Members (The American people) need to get in step and recognize what this guy is going through, by getting some people (electing a new congress) in there that can help him get this country back on track - because it's quite obvious he doesn't have the help to get the job done!

Author

Duan C.

Date

2011-09-02T07:59:52-06:00

ID

164818

Comment

"But we know Obama has faced more opposition from both Republicans AND Democrats than any other prez." Look up Jimmy Carter, Kaz.

Author

jbreland

Date

2011-09-02T08:28:58-06:00

ID

164822

Comment

@Duan C, Those 40 some odd other black elected officials are not the President. While they do deserve critique, their position is not the same as the President. They do not have Executive order privileges, Special Congressional Session Privileges, and the audience of the world at their fingertips like the President of the US does. I understand that the president cannot create and pass legislation alone. But, there are things that he can do that would greatly benefit certain groups. I was hoping that, if nothing else, his example could place the issues of adverse educational and incarceration experiences of young black men at the forefront of the public imagination. But he has effectively distanced himself from being identified with those issues, I am assuming in an effort to get re-elected. Couple that with an over eagerness to compromise with unreasonable republicans and you have what we have in Obama, a truly eloquent, intelligent and passionate leader who has become largely ineffective in being an agent for transformative change, due to a leadership style that is heavy on compromise “for the sake of keeping everyone satisfied” as you state, and light on effective advocacy. The problem with satisfying everyone is that you can’t. Effective leadership is about maximizing opportunities to protect and empower your constituency. Obama hasn’t maximized his opportunities. He hasn’t done a horrible job as president, but I think he could do more if he stiffened up is back and stop letting irrational republicans control the political debate in this country.

Author

Renaldo Bryant

Date

2011-09-02T12:28:05-06:00

ID

164830

Comment

As usual, Blackwatch, you and I are right, and those other rap loving alphas are wrong. Smile. I hope Obama's calculations about getting re-elected are right. Obama acts as if he believes the hype about America and the status quo. What he doesn't seem to understand or doesn't care about is that history is always written wrong and needs to be rewritten. Our history has always elevated certain characters while leaving out others. I constantly tell people that I'm not dumb enough to ignore our true history. "History is not just a series of dates and facts, but more important, involves interpretation, analysis, and point of view. Historic understanding shapes public consciousness, and thus politic and policy decisions, social relations, and access to resources abd opportunity." I wish Obama had more courage to fight for the truth and not worry about his corrupt and evil enemies whose only goal is to defeat him and maintain the status quo. The status quo and dominant narrative of U.S. history reduce the scale and consequences of white enslavement of blacks, Indian genicide and removal, violent conquests, racism, sexism, class, and corrupt power. No one has truly fought for marginalized and silenced Americans to the extent that they deserve. Many of us thought Obama was aware of this and would fight to correct some of those wrongs. Instead he acts like this bullcrap from the so-called right has merits. The other side is not against redistribution of wealth. They are only against theirs being re-distributed, et al. Vast re-dristributions of wealth is taking place all over the world and with many republicans acutely involved.

Author

Walt

Date

2011-09-03T10:25:16-06:00