Obama, Rep. Maxine Waters and targeted public policy
Ron Walters/NNPA Columnist
Issue date: 5/10/09 Section: Politics
In this column, I have been promoting the need for targeted policies that are directed to the deep recesses that afflict the African-American community in so many areas, especially now that the financial resources appear to be at hand to make a difference.
Well, right on cue a question was directed to President Barack Obama at his Press Conference on April 29, by BET journalist Andre' Showell, who asked him, "…given this unique situation [where Blacks face double-digit unemployment and communities of color experience a deep recession] what specific policies can you point to that will target these communities and what's the timetable for us to see tangible results?"
The president replied, "Well, keep in mind that every step we're taking is designed to help all people. But folks who are most vulnerable are most likely to be helped because they need the most help."
He used the examples of unemployment insurance and health insurance and alluded to his general approach: "…if the economy is strong, that will lift all the boats as long as it is also supported by, for example, strategies around college affordability and job training, tax cuts for working families as opposed to the wealthiest that level the playing field and ensure bottom-up economic growth. And I'm confident that will help the African-American community live out the American dream at the same time that it's helping communities all across the country."
However, President Obama does not seem to understand two vital things. First, because these vulnerable communities were suffering before the current set of crises, if they are to be made viable (and not go back to a "normal" state of disadvantage), it will take double the effort.
Second, his theory seems to presuppose that African-Americans and others have now -- or will have - equal access to the resources that he has made possible, without state and local politics that favor whites and other groups. So, where are the supportive tools? Without them, no targeted strategies can be successful.
Well, right on cue a question was directed to President Barack Obama at his Press Conference on April 29, by BET journalist Andre' Showell, who asked him, "…given this unique situation [where Blacks face double-digit unemployment and communities of color experience a deep recession] what specific policies can you point to that will target these communities and what's the timetable for us to see tangible results?"
The president replied, "Well, keep in mind that every step we're taking is designed to help all people. But folks who are most vulnerable are most likely to be helped because they need the most help."
He used the examples of unemployment insurance and health insurance and alluded to his general approach: "…if the economy is strong, that will lift all the boats as long as it is also supported by, for example, strategies around college affordability and job training, tax cuts for working families as opposed to the wealthiest that level the playing field and ensure bottom-up economic growth. And I'm confident that will help the African-American community live out the American dream at the same time that it's helping communities all across the country."
However, President Obama does not seem to understand two vital things. First, because these vulnerable communities were suffering before the current set of crises, if they are to be made viable (and not go back to a "normal" state of disadvantage), it will take double the effort.
Second, his theory seems to presuppose that African-Americans and others have now -- or will have - equal access to the resources that he has made possible, without state and local politics that favor whites and other groups. So, where are the supportive tools? Without them, no targeted strategies can be successful.
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majorshadow
Sabrina
posted 5/16/09 @ 6:10 PM EST
November 4th 2008 in America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7HNojJ0KqQ
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