The majority of the pre and post Civil Rights beneficiaries who currently hold office are in their 60's-70's. They've been so ham-fisted about holding onto that itty bitty political clout there has been no training of successors. Think of Stephanie Tubbs-Jones dying suddenly as an example of the lack of preparation. These men and women have had their share of foibles but as they've served their terms they have focused on "black issues" and not been ashamed of it. As much as I cannot stomach the carelessness of Rev Inc. (Hot Comb Sharpton and Baby Daddy Jackson) there are times they've hit the ball in the corner pocket.
As we see all the "white guilt" about the history of this country is considered paid in full with the election of Barack Obama. I really don't think either he or many of the blacks that voted for him have seriously given this enough thought. As I stated in my post yesterday, he's so slow to react to direct attack that he's constantly being blind-sided. In the case of the voters some act as if they know the president personally and are not only defending him blindly but they are not prepared for the current backlash or any fallout still to come.
The president is not only facing outright opposition with a corporate media assist but members of his own party have no loyalty. It's nearly seven months into his (first or only?) term and I don't understand how anyone could fail to see the underlying problems. I blame the Democrats for this one. Too many aren't really supportive and have not lifted a finger to ensure party unity. I also predicted it would be them, not the Republicans who would implode this administration from the inside out. It's not as if I want to be right about these things either.
This is a matter of the future quality of life for many blacks who aren't part of the elite classes or aren't wealthy/celebrities. Those that live in large cities with robust populations of other blacks who are relying on government jobs or holding onto seemingly stable positions like nursing or postal jobs need to figure out a back-up plan pronto! These positions and the lifestyle attained from holding onto them is in jeopardy. Did anyone think they'd see the day when a post office closed? I know I hadn't. It's not as if these losses aren't impacting other communities but they have more intact families, less out of wedlock children as a whole and more men who are post-secondary educated and fulfilling their roles as providers and protectors. So whatever negatively impacts whites will be catastrophic to blacks. The unemployment rate for example is double for blacks and that only includes new claims not the chronically unemployed.
There's also a new political order underfoot: Latinos and Asians. Whites still have the numbers and dominate public office but I expect next year's Census to reveal Latinos as the largest "minority" population in this country. The Immigration Policy Center has released a report that shows Latino voters have increased 28.4% with Asians coming in second at 21.3%. Blacks are last at 15.1%. Now there are still more actual black voters but this number is going to decrease for a few reasons. Certain segments of the population are dying out, others will be barred from participation due to felony convictions and with the birth rates for educated black women at an all-time low - with only 30% being married. That's just less future voters to go around. Districts will be redrawn to represent the newest constituent configuration as well. It has already been estimated the Congressional Black Caucus may lose at least three (3) seats.
Also, the underclass populations are on the rise and the anti-social/violent behavior goes unchecked. The Obama administration is now discouraging many from home ownership under the HUD program by building more low-income rentals. I have no words. Actually I have two: Dunbar Village. This is the site of a crumbling, non-secure housing complex where 10 males broke into the home of a single mother and gang-raped her. It was a particularly heinous crime for the viciousness of the attack as well as the apathy of other residents who made no effort to assist or even call the police. Only four are in custody. Some of them tried to broker plea deals by giving information about murders they may have had information about. Six of the suspects have been free for the two years since this incident because people will not come forward with information. There are far worse problems than white racism when black people adopt a mindset that crime is tolerable and the protection of males based on race is more important than seeking justice.
Now of course any subsidized housing being built could have a percentage of vouchers set aside for mid-income applicants but if you know anything about this gov't organization you can see the abandonment as a mandate for entire populations. Applying for HUD housing is an already arduous task where it tends to be found in developing neighborhoods or those on the decline. You're not likely to find HUD housing in wealthier or more established neighborhoods because those residents want a minimum caliber and income level that is much higher. So let's get real here. Neighborhoods and groups of people are being written off. This is why it's so important for individual black women to expand their social circles and find a mate of caliber who is able and willing to care for them regardless of race.
Further if the Obama presidency tanks you can bet the door will be firmly shut to future aspirants who wish to rise the same way. He did not ascend politically with the expressed "blessing" of certain established black politicians. This was seen as an asset last year but now that he's in office and his isolation emerges perhaps that wasn't so good in the long run. Not unless he extends an olive branch to them - for some have actually been in office as long as he's been alive (scary I know).
I don't have all teh answers. I'm just here posing questions. Blacks really need to be preparing right now for their political cover regardless of what happens with this president but even more so because he's in office and there's a LOT of disgruntled people out there. You've got people being "allowed" to bring weapons to events he attends. Too many are relying solely on this one man holding this office. We need to be involved in local politics and staying on top of what's going on in our individual states.
I don't recall Louisiana publicly announcing they would raze public housing that was undamaged from the Katrina-related flooding. It prevented even more of those displaced from returning. Some blacks are still assuming they'll have fair warning for any plans that could negatively impact them because there's a black guy in charge. New Orleans had a rather sizable underclass population that is mostly gone now. Some think the lack of gov't response served as a experiment in population control. Whatever happened this current administration could have taken a more active role in assisting in the city's recovery but it has not. I think that represents the extent of any future involvement as well and people should take heed of it.
