Obama’s Eyes are Green

When Barack Obama was running for president, black critics contended that he was not black enough. Conversly, white critics contended that he was too black. Clearly Obama had a dilemma pleasing both groups. Well, Obama dismissed the black critics by stating that he was so black that taxi drivers in Washington would pass him by. Unfortunately Obama missed the point. Black enough has very little to do with skin color. It has to do with the unique black perspective shaped by years of experiencing and fighting against discrimination, unequal justice, unequal opportunity, racial profiling and other albatrosses placed around the necks of black people. Unique, because as we say in Jamaica, “He who feels it, knows it”. So if Obama was black enough he would have: Not abandoned equal justice by placing George Bush, Dick Cheney and his cronies above the law so that they do not face any investigation or prosecution for war crimes Immediately discontinued using drones to kill innocent people of Afghanistan and sovereign Pakistan instead of expanding their use dramatically Brought a real early end to the war in Iraq instead of the continued occupation by 50,000 US troops and thousands of mercenaries even after the so-called withdrawal. Ended the war in Afghanistan Not requested $60 billion more for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan while schools across the nation cannot afford to pay teachers Closed the Guantanamo torture chamber base, a flagship for human rights violations and soon to become a kangaroo court by military tribunal Not allowed torturers to go free while citizens are being arrested for videotaping police Investigated and punished the Bush officials responsible for ‘extraordinary rendition’, the euphemism for the kidnapping of suspects and transporting them to a country so that they may be tortured. Opposed the weakening of privacy laws instead of making them even weaker. Disavowed a continued unfair US foreign policy of belligerence and intimidation Supported single payer healthcare reform like he did as a candidate We had such high hopes for Obama. But, now we know where he really stands. But, what would Martin do? What would Martin Luther King, Jr. do? Is there any doubt? He would be vehemently opposed to every aspect of these Obama policies. Martin weathered severe criticism for opposing the Vietnam war. He described America as “the greatest purveyor of violence in the world”. There is no question as to where Dr. King would stand on these atrocities. But not just Dr. King. He has very distinguished company. I am proud to say that these Obama policies would also be rejected and denounced by almost every black leader or prominent black intellectual, past or present, such as: Nelson Mandela Bishop Desmond Tutu Frederick Douglas Marcus Garvey Malcom X W. B. Dubois Jesse Jackson Louis Farrakahn Muhammed Ali – chose to go to jail rather than participate in the Viet Nam war Alice Walker – author of the “Color Purple’ and activist Cornel West Maxine Waters Cynthia McKinney- former US Congresswoman and 2008 US presidential candidate for the Green Party Al Sharpton So even though the taxi would leave Obama standing by the curb, he is not black enough. He stands on the shoulders of black leaders past who sacrificed for him, but he is failing to follow in their footsteps. For as black blues singer Jimmy Lewis observes in song about his newborn: That baby ain’t black enough That baby’s eyes are green That baby ain’t black enough Ain’t black enough for me The first black president but so far President Obama is probably not as black as Bill Clinton. Michael Phillips, Editor, Hot Calaloo http://www.hotcalaloo.com Author, Boycott Money and Save Your Soul - Launching The Goodwill Revolution". http://www.goodwillie.org
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  • South
    Thank you for this article. It speaks truth to power. It takes courage to speak truth to power. Too many black folk would disagree, but that is simply because they are equating his MERE SKIN COLOR with theirs, not realizing that there is where the similarity and likeness ceases because--truth be told--since his election, he has proven to be the WHITEST OF THEM ALL; and part of this is specifically as the writer stated, being reared by whites in Hawaii and other places, he has no concept of the BLACK EXPERIENCE and therefore cannot identify with it nor comprehend the depth of BLACK PAIN. His loyalty is first and foremost to whites with whom he solely identifies. That is also why he is so enamored with Lincoln, his idol-despite the fact that Lincoln had no love for black people. His only interest was in saving the union (in the dispute between the north and south). Still black people, by and large, wish to believe in this man as saviour--who couldn't care less about the continuous outcry from the suffering black community--simply on the basis of skin color: wanting desperately to believe that he is truly "one of us". However, his blackness of color stops at the skin, and goes no deeper as he has consistently proven time and again. Again, thanks for such a truth-telling article. Hopefully it will open more eyes to truth, and not the fantasy 'saviour' we want to see, and whom we continue to look at through rose-colored glasses. Black folk, its nigh time that we take the glasses off and see things as they truthfully are.

    Hadassah
  • Europe
    Pres. Clinton opposes Slavery Reparations, June 17, 1997:

    http://edition.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/06/17/clinton.race/

    WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, June 17) -- President Bill Clinton says he does not favor compensating the victims of slavery, because the nation is so many generations removed from that era that reparations for black Americans may not be possible.

    But Clinton, in a radio interview that aired Monday, said he would still consider extending an apology to African Americans for their ancestors' suffering. Rep. Tony Hall (D-Ohio) proposed the idea last week. Note: When Pres. Clinton put his office in Harlem, NY he reminded me of a slave master looking over his slaves.


    Obama Against Reparations for Slavery
    Prefers schools, jobs; opposes legislation backed by NAACP

    http://www.newser.com/story/34000/obama-against-reparations-for-sla...

    Barack Obama opposes offering reparations to the descendants of slaves, putting him at odds with some black groups and leaders.

    ITS ALL IN THE FAMILY:
    Hidden from us, Pres. Obama is also related to Pres. George Bush and Vice Pres. Dick Cheney.
    http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/familytree/545460,BSX-N...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivFPkvWj8zw Bush Family Tree
    Note: I remember Laura Bush saying years ago when interviewed, Pres. Obama is a cousin to her husband.

    Remember next time when voting:
    It does not matter who we vote for. Those in power are all related to the TUDORS aka Royal Family in the UK.
    AllPolitics - Clinton Opposes Slavery Reparations - June 17, 1997
  • Europe
    Bro. Michael, you said, "The first black president but so far President Obama is probably not as black as Bill Clinton." It just so happens that Pres. Obama, the 8th Black President and Pres. Clinton are related. Neither one cares about any Black person. Wake up!! And he is part of the problem and related to other elitists.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8d4BOfTn28
    5 Black Presidents

    2 not mentioned on You Tube is President Dwight D. Eisenhower (darker complexion than Pres. Obama) and Pres. Jimmy Carter (admitted he is)

    President Obama is the 8th Black President. You an editor, Michael Phillips, where did you learn about Pres. Obama being the 1st Black President? Did you know people of color in America, are milky-white to darker than dark chocolate? You needs to learn who is who before, making comments.

    I am now 66, My grandfather, was from Jamaica and he himself looked like a so-called white male. Research better and please stop embarrassing yourself again.
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