Does George W. Bush Care About Black People?
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By Todd. A Smith
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Following the government’s slow response to the desperation of many African Americans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction, hip-hop icon Kanye West became the spokesperson for all African Americans in this great nation.
When West stated that, “George Bush does not care about Black people,” the community labeled him as a hero for speaking the truth, and simply stating what many felt in their hearts, but did not have the platform to do. For generations, politicians, including presidents, have come to African American communities claiming to be their voice, making idle promises to correct the problems that minorities face on a daily basis. However, upon their election, they forget the promises they made to the Black community, and go on conducting business as usual, and ignoring the plight of the African American community.
In George W. Bush’s recent State of the Union Address, we heard the same empty rhetoric that we have heard for years. We heard that he is concerned with the AIDS crisis in Africa, but see no relief going to our people on the Mother continent. In Bush’s 2003 State of the Union Address, he stated that, “Today, on the continent of Africa, nearly 30 million people have the AIDS virus, including the 3 million children under the age of 15… Yet across the continent, only 50,000 AIDS victims are receiving the medicine they need.”
Three years ago, he proposed the Emergency Pan for AIDS relief as a work of mercy to assist those in Africa struggling with this deadly disease. However, three years later those same problems are pertinent on the great continent of Africa.
In his address on January 31, 2006, the President claimed, “Our economy is healthy and vigorous, and growing faster than other major industrialized nations. In the last two-and-a-half years, America has created 4.6 million new jobs.”
Despite the alleged job growth, many of those jobs never reached the qualified citizens in predominately minority communities. Across this great nation, many African Americans are pursuing higher education with false hopes that a job will be waiting for them upon their graduation from college. On the contrary, many have had to face long periods of unemployment or take non-professional jobs just to make ends meet. Furthermore, with conservative Justice Samuel Alito being approved by Congress to replace moderate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the wrongs that were corrected by Affirmative Action will soon be a distant memory as the court tips slightly to the right.
With the swift development of countries such as a China and India, America is seeing itself quickly falling behind other countries when it comes to scientific and technological advancements. On January 31, Bush proposed, “To train 70,000 high school teachers to lead advanced-placement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms, and give early help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better chance at good, high wage jobs.” However, too often, the best instructors are lured away from inner city schools and retreat to affluent school districts, where the pay may be better, but the consequences of abandoning African American students for “greener pastures” may be extremely detrimental. The Black community must fight to keep some of the best teachers in Black schools, so that the advancements in science and technology will be taught to all Americans, no matter what the color of their skin may be.
Despite the fact that Bush sees brighter days ahead for all Americans, it is extremely important that African Americans and other underrepresented minority groups continue to voice their opinion and displeasure with the current government. It is a responsibility to make sure all politicians keep their promises to the Black community, and enact legislation that will positively affect all Americans, not just those in affluent communities.
Houston rap legend Scarface once boldly stated that politicians, “only come around to the Black folks, when they run their campaign and they lack votes.” It is African Americans’ duty to remind every politician that many were elected to office because of the Black vote and demand results because of that simple fact.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Todd. A Smith
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Following the government’s slow response to the desperation of many African Americans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction, hip-hop icon Kanye West became the spokesperson for all African Americans in this great nation.
When West stated that, “George Bush does not care about Black people,” the community labeled him as a hero for speaking the truth, and simply stating what many felt in their hearts, but did not have the platform to do. For generations, politicians, including presidents, have come to African American communities claiming to be their voice, making idle promises to correct the problems that minorities face on a daily basis. However, upon their election, they forget the promises they made to the Black community, and go on conducting business as usual, and ignoring the plight of the African American community.
In George W. Bush’s recent State of the Union Address, we heard the same empty rhetoric that we have heard for years. We heard that he is concerned with the AIDS crisis in Africa, but see no relief going to our people on the Mother continent. In Bush’s 2003 State of the Union Address, he stated that, “Today, on the continent of Africa, nearly 30 million people have the AIDS virus, including the 3 million children under the age of 15… Yet across the continent, only 50,000 AIDS victims are receiving the medicine they need.”
Three years ago, he proposed the Emergency Pan for AIDS relief as a work of mercy to assist those in Africa struggling with this deadly disease. However, three years later those same problems are pertinent on the great continent of Africa.
In his address on January 31, 2006, the President claimed, “Our economy is healthy and vigorous, and growing faster than other major industrialized nations. In the last two-and-a-half years, America has created 4.6 million new jobs.”
Despite the alleged job growth, many of those jobs never reached the qualified citizens in predominately minority communities. Across this great nation, many African Americans are pursuing higher education with false hopes that a job will be waiting for them upon their graduation from college. On the contrary, many have had to face long periods of unemployment or take non-professional jobs just to make ends meet. Furthermore, with conservative Justice Samuel Alito being approved by Congress to replace moderate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the wrongs that were corrected by Affirmative Action will soon be a distant memory as the court tips slightly to the right.
With the swift development of countries such as a China and India, America is seeing itself quickly falling behind other countries when it comes to scientific and technological advancements. On January 31, Bush proposed, “To train 70,000 high school teachers to lead advanced-placement courses in math and science, bring 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms, and give early help to students who struggle with math, so they have a better chance at good, high wage jobs.” However, too often, the best instructors are lured away from inner city schools and retreat to affluent school districts, where the pay may be better, but the consequences of abandoning African American students for “greener pastures” may be extremely detrimental. The Black community must fight to keep some of the best teachers in Black schools, so that the advancements in science and technology will be taught to all Americans, no matter what the color of their skin may be.
Despite the fact that Bush sees brighter days ahead for all Americans, it is extremely important that African Americans and other underrepresented minority groups continue to voice their opinion and displeasure with the current government. It is a responsibility to make sure all politicians keep their promises to the Black community, and enact legislation that will positively affect all Americans, not just those in affluent communities.
Houston rap legend Scarface once boldly stated that politicians, “only come around to the Black folks, when they run their campaign and they lack votes.” It is African Americans’ duty to remind every politician that many were elected to office because of the Black vote and demand results because of that simple fact.
