It’s been a year and some days since most of us witnessed a day we never thought would come, at least not in our lifetimes. That night and the subsequent weeks leading up to inauguration felt great. There was a certain quiet (or in some people’s cases, not so quiet) pride that most of us in the Black community walked around with. Whether you agreed with him, voted for him, or even liked the man, his seemingly comet-like ascendance into the Oval Office was something every Black person could look to as a source of inspiration and pride.
I remember right after the election, there was this certain knowing amongst a great number of people that the election of Obama meant more than just the rise of one particular Black man. It was bigger than just him. Obama’s win, and the following spotlight placed upon him, his life, and his family was going to signal to the Black community and Black men in particular that there was hope and create a new way of thinking. With Obama in office and doing the unthinkable, we couldn’t use the same old tired excuses and in fact, we should all want to do better. As Black men, our time to shine was now. Go forth and make a difference and be the change you want to be. Don’t just talk about it, be about it. If Obama can, you can too.
He’s every man and every man was/is Obama.
It’s one year later.
CNN ran a story last week entitled, “Is Obama inspiring Black men to step up?”, where they talked to numerous Black men to get their take on what they’ve done (or not done) since Obama took to the national stage. Like I said, the day Obama won, it seemed like everybody was ready to hit the streets with dreams and inspiration and kick the truth to pretty much anybody that wanted to hear it. And it seems like he has. On paper anyway.
Seems to me that some of that energy and excitement from Obama has worn off – not even some, most of it. He’s just the President now and people pretty much look to him as such. Of course, people still buy Obama memorabilia but what about the dreams that he inspired and the motivation. What about the change in the Black family dynamic away from the alleged mother-headed household to the Huxtable model. Hell, blogs referencing the Huxtables blew up after the election. Everybody wanted that life…that Obama life.
But perhaps I’m shortsighted. Truly, I wonder if we’ll see the effects of Obama’s presidency in the near term anyway. Real change takes years. Major state colleges were only integrated 50 years ago and we still have de facto school segregation in places. Same with housing, services, etc. But the seeds of change should be planted. Maybe some of us are kind of too old to change and the real change will come from the younger people who have so much promise in their eyes and have been influenced by the way everybody felt by Obama’s win.
I have no clue.
So I wonder, good people of VSB, have you witnessed any change since Obama was elected? Is the Black community any different than it was a year ago? If so, how? Or is it too early to even be able to tell? Is the economy in too much of stalemate for real change to even be realized at this point?
Basically, where are we now, one year later?
The floor is yours.
-VSB P aka THE ARSONIST aka TANGLE JIG P aka GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRL, HE A 3
Related posts:
- soon you’ll understand: three reasons why we need to give president obama a break
- extra, extra: the five biggest breaking news stories in black america in the past 25 years
- Can Obama Save Marriage, the Economy, AND DIVORCE?
- Voice of Black America: 5 Things I’d Just Like To Put Out There…For Putting It Out There’s Sake.
- I Am Coming To America.
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
don’t know if i’m worthy of first, but heah it go–i’ve seen a lot more in -your-face racism and typical bs. case in point the justice of the peace who refused to marry an interracial couple. smh there have been other incidents, but i think that euro-americans are at a point where they think that since we have an african american president, eveything else should be swept away…..nah, i think not!
as far as where we are…by nature americans are fickle and have a short attention span, so we are not far from where we started, sadly, but we better get it in gear, the gangstas are rallying for 2012.
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Ms. Smart {November 10th, 2009 at 1:31 am}
@AO, I think racism that has been happening is getting more light shined on it now. Like, I don’t the JOP was caught the first time. I think he’s been doing that for a minute. But now, with a Black man in the office, people have puffier chests to call a racist a racist.
Now, if we could just get this health care plan taken care of. Down with denying my otherwise healthy behind for one minor pre-existing condition. The shyt ain’t even life threatening!!!
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am}
@AO, the short attention span has been the one major downside of Obamas election. there was such a euphoric high on election night it seemed like everybody was just damn happy.
but even by inauguration, some of that seemed to have died down. it’s hard to stay on top of the world without hookers and heroin for an extended period of time.
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AO {November 10th, 2009 at 11:29 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
i co-sign that, for me, it was an even greater event because of the fact that i was overseas when it was announced that he won the election. and the congratulations i received on his behalf from my colleagues around the World was more than was even felt here at home. there’s still much work to be done.
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im too stunned that this post was mostly coherent and free of random sidenotes and birdwalks to even focus on the posed questions. Peej, whats happening to you, man??? im not used to this you. youre so…. normal sounding. *smh*
ill be back to answer the question later.
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V.E.G. {November 10th, 2009 at 2:19 am}
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean,
co-sign.
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 11:19 am}
@The One & True GEM… of the Ocean, man, you all act like every post i write mentions squirrels, 4-finger rings, the lumberjack (with the hate to match) and some smoke stacks.
coherence throws off your whole circumference? pun intended.
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Cheekie {November 10th, 2009 at 12:05 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
“you all act like every post i write mentions squirrels, 4-finger rings, the lumberjack (with the hate to match) and some smoke stacks.”
Knowing you, I bet at least one of those is a VSB tag. lol
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i was just saying today how the whole concept of the new black president just doesn’t get old for me. seeing a face that looks like mine and having someone to come from a family similar to mine…very awesome, i have to say.
i have heard some slight dessention every so often: “i thought he was gonna fix…” “man he needta stand up and…” “i ain’t seent no changes, maaaaan!” to all of which i reply, “he just got there. he’s got 8 years of bull crap to scoop up. it stinks in there. let that man gather his bearings. this is new for us to see and definetely new for him to do.”
i have faith. pres. clinton didn’t clean everything up in a year (and he’s my favorite president to date–it was during his two terms that my mom went from three jobs to one and was still able to maintain our house. she cried alot less too.) and pres. obama won’t either (lawd knows if he does…jeebus jeebus jeebus…there’ll be dancing in streets, manna falling from heaven, dogs and cats living together…). i do know that pres. obama is intelligent enough to get the job done (in comparison with what we’ve been dealing with for the last 8 years? odie the dog would be more intelligent. i can see odie signing off on the healthcare option now…ink smeared cuz of all the drool…)
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Ms. Smart {November 10th, 2009 at 1:28 am}
@cam1ll3, Damn! Just today I found myself watching him on CNN and thinking ALOUD, “Damn. That’s a Black man!!”
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cam1ll3 {November 10th, 2009 at 3:44 am}
@Ms. Smart,
meee too!! like damn-he’s handsome, intelligent (i could listen to that man speak until he was hoarse and i wouldn’t give a crap), dignified, diplomatic and he is runnin this mickey-flick!!! YEAAAH!!! YEAAAAHH!! and then i realized i was at work and my supervisors were kinda eyein’ me.
but i definetely feel you. “ain’t it cool?!”
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miss t-lee {November 10th, 2009 at 9:07 am}
@cam1ll3,
“i was just saying today how the whole concept of the new black president just doesn’t get old for me”
I don’t think it will ever get old for me either. Everytime I see him stroll up to that podium I get happy all over again!
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Smiley Face {November 10th, 2009 at 9:17 am}
@miss t-lee,
and stroll he does!!!
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miss t-lee {November 10th, 2009 at 9:45 am}
@Smiley Face,
Don’t he? He’s definitely got a cool walk…lol
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Cheekie {November 10th, 2009 at 11:38 am}
@miss t-lee,
Truth!
That walk should have its own theme song.
miss t-lee {November 10th, 2009 at 11:41 am}
@ Cheekie,
You’re right girlie…”Hail to the Chief” doesn’t do that walk proper justice.
Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 11:42 am}
@cam1ll3, unrelated to your post but related at the same time, i think we gave billy clinton WAY to much credit in the black community for really doing anything for black folks. sure some things got better while he was in office FOR THE NATION but all he really did was show up with a sax on arsenio. other than that, he ain’t really do much for black folks.
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Me fail english? {November 10th, 2009 at 11:49 am}
@Panama Jackson,
Are you tryna say workfare and devolvement from African relations(cf. Rwanda, Somalia) werent the black people’s savior that he told us they were??? *dripping in sarcasm*
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cam1ll3 {November 10th, 2009 at 2:26 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
he played the sax, went on arsenio, ate big macs and he was a whore. i’ll give you that. alllll iiiii knooooow iiiiiiis the money that was floatin in my house was a wee bit more abundant. and that is a-ok with me. those were glorious times…
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Xave {December 1st, 2009 at 3:42 pm}
@cam1ll3,
I completely agree with your sentiments. we must remember that the President does not and cannot unilaterally change policy but he only can shape the policy agenda. His ability to shape the policy agenda in and of it self has been successful. I mean, we are talking about a major reform of the American healthcare system among other things. Don’t get me wrong, upon his victory over a year ago I was cautiously enthusiastic about the future since obama is like Michael Jordan playing for the Washington Generals—the Democrats! However, in this day and age of cynicism and skepticism, one must be skeptical of skepticism. Transformative change is inevitable.
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He was only the President Elect this time last year. His real year will be on January 20-21. Having said all that, I think it’s to early to tell him impact on the overall Black community. Howevuh, I don’t think there has been a change in our community as far as Black men are concerned. Black men haven’t had an immediate ’step up and come to Jesus moment’. Slackers are going to be slackers–no matter who is in office. But Black women have added President Obama to their list of ideal Black men…The unattainable man that they wish for but accept only exists on TV…or in the White House. Maybe, just maybe, chicks will stop wishing for some strange urban and suburban hybrid man and be happy with a nice, tall, lanky nerd!
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V.E.G. {November 10th, 2009 at 2:17 am}
@Ms. Smart,
I don’t think Obama being in office has changed the dating/mating/marriage aspirations of sistas all that much.
There is lack of dating/mating/marriage options for black women – high incarceration rates of our men, early deaths of too many of our young men and (hopefully) having to eliminate those who are gay and/or married.
If Obama being President HAS done anything, I think it’s made it HARDER for black women, ensuring many more will be single for life. Sistas now want the Obama type: the tall, lanky nerd, if you will. And while those guys are out there, they are not as common as Tremayne, the hard working mechanic who also happens to be a decent, honest and kind guy.
Don’t get me wrong: I understand wanting to date within your station. But I think a lot of black women pick, pick, pick over their options until they have picked themselves out of the game.
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pgh muse {November 10th, 2009 at 6:29 am}
@V.E.G., they are not as common as Tremayne, the hard working mechanic who also happens to be a decent, honest and kind guy.
Don’t get me wrong: I understand wanting to date within your station. But I think a lot of black women pick, pick, pick over their options until they have picked themselves out of the game.
I agree with this whole statement. The downside to dating Tremayne the hardworking mechanic though (not saying this will happen with EVERY Tremayne) is that he will have MAN issues… you’re ambitious and he’ll feel emasculated. You use a word that he doesn’t know (instead of looking it UP smart guy) he’ll feel emasculated, you want to go to dinner somewhere that serves something other than chicken… he’ll feel emasculated. Not saying that Tremayne and a sista with a grad degree can’t work out… if he’s a good man he’ll see the light. But it ain’t gone be all roses.
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Ms. Smart {November 10th, 2009 at 8:37 am}
@pgh muse, But can’t Tre be a good guy and just not be interested in the things you listed? Why is it that we assume that everyone should want to do those things. Lots of people are perfectly happy doing what they’ve been doing (eating chicken, using common words, having a job as opposed to a career, etc.). If that’s the case, shouldn’t he find someone he has more in common with??
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pgh muse {November 10th, 2009 at 9:12 am}
@Ms. Smart, girl. Maybe. But aren’t relationships sometimes about compromise?
Me fail english? {November 10th, 2009 at 10:01 am}
@Ms. Smart,
She didn’t assume he should want to eat less chicken. She said him feeling emasculated or ‘less than’ you because you want veal sometimes will become an issue.
@pgh,
Girl go head and preach because I can attest first hand that this can be a VERY real issue with Tremayne.
Smiley Face {November 10th, 2009 at 9:28 am}
@pgh muse, ‘But I think a lot of black women pick, pick, pick over their options until they have picked themselves out of the game.”
I totally agree with this because despite what “statistics” say about the “overwhelming” number of black men being incarcerated, gay or whatever, I’ve never had a problem dating successful black men, not all of the have been white collar execs either. I keep my head to the sky but I also make sure I’m looking around so I don’t trip and fall flat on my face. Nothing is wrong with having standards but like you said you keep pick, pick, picking, you’ll pick yourself right on out.
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Ms. Smart {November 10th, 2009 at 10:07 am}
@pgh muse, “But I think a lot of black women pick, pick, pick over their options until they have picked themselves out of the game.”
And I think a lot of men pick, pick, pick but nobody tells them to lower their standards. It’s socially acceptable for them to have standards, particularly physical standards. Nobody says, “Bro, I know you want Halle Berry but that chick who looks like Whoopi Goldberg would also make a great wife and mother. You should date and marry her.”
Also, when I hear the stats, I thank my lucky stars I live in the DC ‘urea’. I have never had trouble meeting men, being in committed relationships–even if those relationships didn’t lead to marriage. If anything, I’ve probably been guilty of being greedy–not to be confused with being whorish (LOL).
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Me fail english? {November 10th, 2009 at 10:20 am}
@Ms. Smart,
I hear what you’re saying but men dont have to lower their standards because they dont complain as much about being alone. In fact, I’d say men are generally more willing to settle/compromise than women. They may not downgrade to Whoopi but if they go long enough without Halle they’ll bag an Essence.
Ms. Smart {November 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am}
@Ms. Smart, See, I find men complaining all the time. They might be with someone but they’ve settled…So they complain. They might have numerous options but complain because they can’t find Halle or because once they do find her, they lose out to one of the other million brothers who also want her.
Sanen85 {November 10th, 2009 at 4:04 pm}
@pgh muse, @V.E.G. You sure you two aren’t from Seattle? I’ve been having a back and forth with this ninja for a couple years now. You have described him perfectly, down to his name. The only difference is his job title. He is very much the stereotypical man’s man and feels emasculated at the littlest things. Aaargh, you just got me frustrated all over again thinking about his MAN issues.
I hope he isn’t lurking today, I knew I shouldn’t have sent him a link to this site.
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Ms. Smart {November 10th, 2009 at 8:31 am}
@V.E.G., The point I was making is that Black women just have another name to add to their list of men they’d like to be with.
As for dating in or out of your station, why come people (not you per se) assume Tremayne is a good guy by default?? Are all blue collar guys good but just looking for an upwardly mobile woman?? If Tre (he and I are on familiar terms so I can shorten his name) is SUCH a good guy, why hasn’t the local administrative assistant snapped him up?? Cus Tre and his cohorts are just as unwilling to commit, be HOH, etc, as Brent the three degree having, multiple property owning, tall dude under 40.
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pgh muse {November 10th, 2009 at 9:13 am}
@Ms. Smart, This is true too.
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Caballeroso {November 10th, 2009 at 10:16 am}
@Ms. Smart,
Why everybody gotta be tall?
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Ms. Smart {November 10th, 2009 at 11:32 am}
@Caballeroso,
See here.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/Careers/02/02/cb.tall.people/index.html
Sula {November 10th, 2009 at 2:00 pm}
@Caballeroso,
Don’t worry some of us don’t mind them being short.
Caballeroso {November 10th, 2009 at 4:05 pm}
@Sula, thanks for keeping hope alive!
@Ms. Smart, Thanks for providing the article as it provides additional insight on people’s thoughts in that regard.
The article’s focus is on the greater earning potential of those who are taller and indicates that taller guys make more money. Use of this article as explanation of why women opt for taller guys seemingly reinforces the stereotypes that paint women as golddiggers.
I’m sure there’s more to it than the financial aspects. Afterall, Tre’, the hardworking, blue collar, presumeably “tall”, brother cited up-thread could easily end up reporting to the 5′8″ or shorter brother who graduated B-school and sets Tre’s wages. Yet, in a line up, Tre’ would get chosen based on height.
Assuming it’s a projection of being authoritative or confident as the article alludes to, it overlooks those shorter guys with the Napolean Complexes.
The article touches on the perception of safety, which again is “short”-sighted as it ignores the scrappy little, gun-toting brothas with a black belt in Shotokan.
It seems that, extrapolating from use of this article as justification for dating taller guys, it would be logical for brothas to shun black women in favor of 2520’s who tend to have an advantage over sista’s for obtaining employment thereby having a greater earning potential- or perhaps for ostrasizing pleasantly plump sistas in favor of someone less predisposed to heart disease and diabetes.
I find that difficult to accept; there’s gotta be more to it, but again, I appreciate your offering of that explanation.
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Ms. Smart {November 10th, 2009 at 4:18 pm}
@Caballeroso, Here’s another one that cites some evolutionary things.
http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/social_sciences/report-11976.html
I’m short. I prefer taller men because I don’t want short sons. I don’t want my sons to be like the short dudes I have encountered. Tall men, based on MY experience, seem to have a confidence short men only fake.
Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 11:44 am}
@V.E.G., i was specifically interested in the family dynamic considering how here on VSB shortly after the election, The Champ wrote a post about obama’s (and the family’s) effect on relationships and so many folks thought he’d have such an impact and i think that remains to be seen…and probably will never been seen.
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I think you hit the nail on the head, PJ with this very straight forward, written like a normal person post.
“Real change takes time”.
This is true, for both the black community and the country as a whole.
The current generation doesn’t often reap the benefits of a ‘history making’ moment. We won’t know if Obama being President has made a difference in the black world until our young children start to come of age and make choices. We really didn’t think folks were going to stop the violence because a black man was POTUS, did we?
As others said, it takes a while in the policy world to make change, too. Dude hasn’t been in the job a full year, had a hella ambitious plan and is trying to tackle it.
Lastly – and most importantly – it takes more than one person to make a difference, locally and nationally. We all have to pitch in, even if it’s writing/calling our elected officials to support legislation we think is important or organizing against fools to get them ousted from office.
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Me fail english? {November 10th, 2009 at 10:04 am}
@V.E.G.,
Inspiring. I feel the wisdom coming from this post
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Cheekie {November 10th, 2009 at 11:36 am}
@V.E.G.,
(bold, my own)
“I think you hit the nail on the head, PJ with this very straight forward, written like a normal person post.”
Unlike Champ’s posts…
O___O
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 11:52 am}
@V.E.G., I think you hit the nail on the head, PJ with this very straight forward, written like a normal person post.
man…you’d think i generally write like i have 4 arms and 12 baby mommas with 2 children.
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I agree with the others that change will take time, but personally the effect has not worn off. I volunteer in the community and I see the impact that Obama has especially on young black males. They look up to him and some have really stepped up in the community. It will take time to see the full effect, but the seeds are definitely planted.
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Me fail english? {November 10th, 2009 at 10:10 am}
@Leila,
I agree. A lot of the kids I work with are actually tryna sound smart. Like using “big words” and stuff. They also seem to have much more diverse ambitions than the kids I taught years ago. Fr’instance, the kids with the boldest ambitions used to all want to become entrepreneurs. Maybe run a nightclub, record label, restaurant, auto body shop etc. I suspect this was partially because they had trouble envisioning a black/latino male ascending the ranks of a large corporation and being a boss there so they aimed to do it outside the establishment. While I was proud of them for that, I’m also happy to see that they’re less limited and think its well within their reach to go corporate or smthg.
I honestly haven’t noticed a huge difference in my generation or older but I mostly just observe my fam and friends. Selection bias?
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 11:54 am}
@Leila, that’s actually really where i believe it will all come from. the children growing up on some, “i want to be president. you be the rapper, today, dereon.” when they play rappers, record execs, athletes and presidents.
cowboys and indians is so passé.
now that’s change i want to see.
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Sula {November 10th, 2009 at 2:04 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
cowboys and indians is so passé.
LMAO.
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I missed yesterday’s post…but Panama. The U-Haul spot on Chillum road? Hate to say it, but you couldn’t possibly expect good service round them parts! Negros are a trip over there…lol
On to the topic…where are we one year later?
371 days removed.
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V.E.G. {November 10th, 2009 at 2:56 am}
@Lili,
371 days removed.
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Lili {November 10th, 2009 at 11:55 am}
@V.E.G.,
lol
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 11:55 am}
@Lili, that used to be my neighborhood. NE Extended. LOL. Cypress Creek fo lyfe.
i actually started two crip gangs over there just cuz i could.
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Lili {November 10th, 2009 at 12:11 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
“i actually started two crip gangs over there just cuz i could.”
Boy hush. lol I hear you though. I’m based in Silver Spring. I had a friend who lived around there; it seemed cool when the crew would chill over there, but he always had stories…lol Plus we’d ride through there to get to club from time.
I…I think I recall seeing a crew decked in blue on the corner one night. Maybe that was you….?
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I don’t know…
From the outside looking in, things certainly look different to me. I’d venture that the overwhelming optimism of Obama has long since subsided, as I’ve heard rumblings about the economy and I am waiting patiently, but I’m not sure if the economic turmoil we’re facing is more of a social and economic restructuring that has sorely been needed in the US for a while rather then the aftermath of the collapse of the housing bubble (and if that is the case, that would be a wonderful thing for furthering the black middle class.) I am a patient man, and Obama is an intelligent one. We’ll see how things pan out.
But I digress.
I think President Obama has had an overwhelmingly positive, if subtle influence that shouldn’t be quickly dismissed. It’s evident in the comments above mine, the fact that black folks are amazed that they have a president that looks like them. It’s a good thing. The youth need that image of greatness that they can inspire to. The youth needs more exposure to black doctors, black lawyers, black entrepeneurs, and black researchers as it creates a subtle yet profound effect: it makes it ordinary, and by proxy, obtainable.
I’ve noticed a slight, but distinct change in folks to simply do beddah. In the sense of “Obama did it, so can you.” Taken with a grain of salt of course, but that sentiment is out there, and floating around. To really solidify this effect, there needs to be large exposure of black professionals to reinforce this image to children.
Of course, this could be heavily biased because of my observations come directly from my environment, and recently I picked up and decided to go to an HBCU to further my education, and it just might be the type of atmosphere that is pervasive at the Mecca. I don’t think that’s the case, though.
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 11:59 am}
@Shay, It’s evident in the comments above mine, the fact that black folks are amazed that they have a president that looks like them.
that right there is where i think most of the analysis stops now. at least amongst the 25+ crowd anyway.
i do wonder though, most of the jobs that or careers that our youth tend to aspire to come with an element of glamour and floss, where the presidents job seems like it sucks MAJOR. there doesnt seem to be any real teflon-ness to it so i wonder if as those youngsters get older if they’ll mantain that drive for that job.
i do think we need more exposure to black scientists and educators, etc and that they need more of the spotlight. but at the same time, i wonder how exactly do you even put them in the spotlight. if kids, or grown folks ffor that matter, would read more you’d see all the great accomplishments blacks have made. but how do you make kids want to read about charles drew??
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Obama represents hope, hope for our people, hope for America. It’s still too early, give him time. One year and he’s still here, unscathed mostly. We gotta be happy and proud of that. And it’s still an improvement over the predecessor
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Dorian G. {November 10th, 2009 at 10:20 am}
@Da Iceman,
“Obama represents hope, hope for our people, hope for America. ”
See what I mean? You light skin ain’t you?
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As stated above, change takes time. However, I do feel that we are headed in the right direction.
The premise of Obama’s campaign was “Yes WE can!” So, what are WE doing as a people to help implement this change?
It takes involvement from the Black community (and everyone else in America that voted for him) as a whole for change to really take place. One man can’t do it alone. Basically:
Do your part or don’t complain!
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:02 pm}
@CoCoDelite, your comment alludes to another point to me. for some odd reason, we keep waiting (in the black community) for somebody to inspire us to “do better” or become something. why we always looking for somebody else to motivate us to fix a community we all agree needs fixing?
not that you said that. just something that your comment brought to my mind.
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You know that cliche “if you’re not a part of the soltuin then you are a part of the problem” very true. President Obama cannot implement change by himself, he can call to action but if we’re not willing to take upon his challenge where does that get us. I hear so many black people complain about what he is or isn’t doing for the black community…seriously?!! Get over yourself, he can’t lead if no one follows him..what are YOU doing for your community? He is responsible for this whole country not just Anacostia and Congress Heights or any other so called”black” community. I’ve seen stirrings of change here and there but it seems to stop once the camera and bright lights are gone…then the complaints come in full force and changes becomes what you get when you break a dollar.
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm}
@Smiley Face, I’ve seen stirrings of change here and there but it seems to stop once the camera and bright lights are gone…
you so right. just like after the funeral and everybody leaves you ass to be alone in mourning again.
so sad.
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“Hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.”
- Barack Obama, quoting Scripture, at the end of his Democratic Presidential Nominee acceptance speech on August 28, 2008
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:06 pm}
@Kit (Keep It Trill), Jesus was the first rapper cuz i swear Tupac spit that same line in 93
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I don’t know if Barry inspired black men to do better, but I do know that he gave these light skin ni99as hope out here. It used to be you walked by an easily bruised cat and his girl and he would grab her arm like how an old lady grabs her purse. Dudes were scared to hold up their hazel colored eyes and tried to talk with extra bass in their voice over the phone to give the perception of dark skin man-ness. Now these cats is walking with swagger and being drafted in the lottery.
As President Elect of F.I.N.E. I say to my indigo-hued brothas, do not allow the POTUS to get you down. Do not go quietly into the dark (or light) night. Its a war out here and there can only be one! YES. WE. CAN!!!
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Me fail english? {November 10th, 2009 at 10:24 am}
@Dorian G.,
*dead*
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miss t-lee {November 10th, 2009 at 10:26 am}
@Dorian G.,
Thank you for making me laugh this morning.
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N.I.A. naturally {November 10th, 2009 at 11:09 am}
@Dorian G.,
LOL!!
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Cheekie {November 10th, 2009 at 11:32 am}
@Dorian G.,
LOL. I can’t wait to see your campaign.
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V.E.G. {November 10th, 2009 at 11:58 am}
@Dorian G.,
Fool.
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V.E.G. {November 10th, 2009 at 11:58 am}
@Dorian G.,
Fool.
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:07 pm}
@Dorian G., is Rick Fox the president of the NAALSP?
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Dorian G. {November 10th, 2009 at 1:14 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
Will that be the National Association of Aspiring Light Skin People?
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Sula {November 10th, 2009 at 2:09 pm}
@Dorian G.,
You’se a fool!!!
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I know its already been said, but more racism, definitely.
as far as campaigning went, during that time I saw a lot more party affiliations out in the open (everyone was rocking a Change bumper sticker or tshirt) whereas before most people kept their politics to themselves. I work in govt and its just not something we talk about but the new administrations can possibly affect some of our work projects–so far it hasn’t though.
oh and lightskinned dudes aren’t back. well maybe itsjust an initial hike due to hype–it’ll go back to normal.
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OrangeStar616 {November 10th, 2009 at 10:57 am}
@Reecie, I can’t really says it more racism, thats bout the same IMO but its def more ignorance being displayed as far as others
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Reecie {November 10th, 2009 at 11:14 am}
@OrangeStar616, well its more blatant I should say. usually they are covert with theirs, ya feel me?
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:10 pm}
@Reecie, light skint dudes definitely aren’t back. just yesterday i was outside cutting my grass and some dude yelled to me “dark or die, lighty”
it hurt a little.
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OrangeStar616 {November 10th, 2009 at 2:31 pm}
@Panama Jackson, LLS!!!
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naw sh*t bout the same, you know, but then I didn’t foresee the average mofos making any monumental changes cause the pres is black..kinda like the MMM everything was love that day and then it went right to the reg scheduled program…….
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:11 pm}
@OrangeStar616, i was actually going to liken his election to the million man march and how there was this overwhelming feeling of going back to communities and making these huge changes.
and it all felt great for like a week until paychecks came back in and people were still broke and stressed.
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OrangeStar616 {November 10th, 2009 at 1:19 pm}
@Panama Jackson, see….maybe it has inspired some and change does take time, maybe the future generations honey moreso.. but as far as now its hard to free minds after a certain age..Matrix/Morpheus..and ways of living etc
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I see the difference from within the government, especially in Energy. Folks are flyin around tryin to get things done.
People still reference his Prague speech like he commanded fire to come from heaven. It’s literally a sea change.
I think the young’ins behind us will be inspired to want to work in the government or corporate spheres. Children are already interviewing the POTUS.
I still get chills when they announce “The President of the United States, Barack Obama” and he got his presidential pimp walk on.
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IVR {November 10th, 2009 at 11:36 am}
@Stank-0, “I see the difference from within the government, especially in Energy. Folks are flyin around tryin to get things done. ”
It’s funny, I guess in the areas that he addresses consistently you see more of a change. Here we just wait for the bureau of labor statistics to put out those horrific numbers and the usual folks got the boost in their budget once a democrat takes office but aside from all of that everything is pretty much the same. Maybe I should go work at energy for some inspiration . . .
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:13 pm}
@IVR, or directly for the president. i’m sure there’s lots of energy at the executive office building.
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Stank-0 {November 10th, 2009 at 2:24 pm}
@IVR,
If you do move over to Energy, try the NNSA. National Nuclear Security Administration. Room for promotion, etc.
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“Real change takes years.”
And this is the bottom line. I look at it this way, just like I thought it was crazy for folks to expect Obama to destroy racism with a Magic Eraser (no Mr. Clean), I think it’s just as crazy to expect change in the Black community to present itself as quick as a finger snap. Even though change was the focus word of his campaign, I think what he truly inspired was hope. And hope ain’t no short race. It’s a long and often challenging journey. A journey that Obama has made worth it.
I think the most apparent change Obama has made in the Black community, to me, has been the identity of family. Obama has made it “cool” to have one baby mama, two children by the same baby mama, and have that baby mama be not really a baby mama….but a , wife. And though they are not perfect (if they were, I would actually worry…lol), everything from their media guest appearances to their family portrait are the pictorial representation of a strong unit.
Also, Obama brought back the light-skindeded niccas with the big ears.Reply
Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:17 pm}
@Cheekie, Obama has made it “cool” to have one baby mama, two children by the same baby mama, and have that baby mama be not really a baby mama….but a , wife.
i wonder if this is really true. i don’t think anybody with “baby mama” aspirations is really thinking twice now. and my guess is that most of the more well-to-do folks don’t want baby mamas but sometimes life ends up that way.
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Cheekie {November 10th, 2009 at 12:26 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
I’m not sure if his image (and his family’s image) will make a vast sweeping change, but there are young men right now in the hood saying they wanna have a family like him, when not just too long ago, you’d never hear that from them.
So, maybe it’s just all talk, but at least they’re talking about something positive. Of course the main concern is that actual action is taken.
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Things have changed; it’s simply not the change that most Americans expected. He’s America’s president, not just a black president.
I know that many people were excited when he won, but why all this media coverage about what black men were/are doing? People are acting like black men weren’t doing anything before Obama, which is not true. I know of too many black men who were/are doing the right thing for their families and communities. They were doing these things long before Obama cam along and will continue to do those things after he is gone.
And why do blacks have to be “inspired” or motivated by something to do the right thing or speak out on issues in our community? We have too many problems that plagued our communities that we simply weren’t really addressing. But now that we have a “black” president, we can up and do something about it? I don’t think that says very much for us. What will happen when he is no longer president? Are we no longer “inspired” then?
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:20 pm}
@Ivyette, i agree with you, though it makes sense to me. though he is America’s president, he’s still a Black person and for a lot of us, he signaled this (hopeful) change in society and gave a lot of folks hope. and since hope springs eternal and floats and sh*t, there was this notion amongst the black community that his rise would indeed inspire others to think twice or rather be more optimistic and make a change, not just be the victim of your circumstances, which to me is a fair assesment. for most of us, a black president seemed like one of those hurdles nobody even thought of trying to overcome.
so i get why he means so much. i just wonder why he stopped meaning so much.
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HabitualLineCrossa {November 10th, 2009 at 1:10 pm}
@Panama Jackson, he stopped meaning so much cos life goes on…bills stay due, he got elected and your life didn’t change much at all. Folks thought he would hit the reset button and the economy would be back and racism would be dead. Hell, since he got elected, racism has been more blatant that ever in my industry.
I think reality set back in, that regardless the achievements of the next man, unfortunately you still have to bust yo a$$ to make it yourself. Unfortunately…that still is an unwelcome thought to most people.
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Great post, Panama!!
First thing, it’s only been 10 and half months since he officially took office, and it is too early to tell whether he is truly the change we can believe in.
If anything, his presidency has put more of a spotlight on the black community, so now CNN and other major news networks(except Fox) are all interested in black people, but not really interested at all. Everytime the POTUS does something, they want some black person to tell them how it affects the black community. Well, generally speaking, we are still unemployed, our neigborhoods are still dangerous, and our schools still suck. And it’s going to take more than 11 months, 1yr, or 4yrs to change that. But, I do believe the POTUS’ ideas about change has sparked many of us to take action in our own communities to tackle unemployment, crime in our neighborhoods, and poor schools.
I support the President, which is why I choose to wait until his second full year before I start looking for any big change, instead of expecting change yesterday, and then getting upset when it’s not here today by noon.
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:22 pm}
@N.I.A. naturally, i think that is all very fair.
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i really haven’t seen too much change in the black community since obama has become president. you are right in a sense. people are opposed to change and i think this holds especially true in the black community. its not like the black on black crime is going to drop or the number of households ran by single parents is going to plummet. things like this do take time.
if this healthcare reform gets passed then i think that will go a long way as far as change. better healthcare CAN lead to better quality of life.
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” Or is it too early to even be able to tell? ”
Yes, I truly believe so.
Although I’m optimistic for change, especially after seeing the health care bill pass the House, we know he’s got a long road ahead of him. It will be a while before we see the change, and that’s the part people don’t understand. I think some people* believe he’s supposed to wave a magic wand and suddenly everything is all good.
*Especially good old boys down here in my red state. I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that said “so…how are you liking your “hope” and “change?”
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miss t-lee {November 10th, 2009 at 11:49 am}
I forgot to add that the same car also had a Palin 2012 sticker on it also.
God help us all.
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Cheekie {November 10th, 2009 at 12:21 pm}
@miss t-lee,
SMH…Palin 2012? WTF to folks WANT for this world? I can’t for the life of me understand folks that claim to love America then in the same breath, say some dayum Palin 2012. lol
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miss t-lee {November 10th, 2009 at 12:32 pm}
@Cheekie,
Exactly… even the mere thought of that happening is terrifying. Seriously.
I might turn into one of those people who threaten to leave the country if that goes down…lol
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Sula {November 10th, 2009 at 2:16 pm}
@miss t-lee,
Yeah, I am surrounded by “good ole boys” as I work in their industry… and it’s a constant barrage of half-ass information and deductions and almost blatant ignorance… very different from my previous company filled with liberals and tree-huggers…
I listen to them, *kanye shrug* and move on with my day…. You gots to love Texas.
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miss t-lee {November 10th, 2009 at 2:37 pm}
@Sula,
“I listen to them, *kanye shrug* and move on with my day…. You gots to love Texas.”
That’s all you can do girlie.
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UNrelated: Am I the only one pissed off at all the attention Michelle O’s genealogy is getting? First it was the core-shaking revelation that her great-great granny was *gasp*…a slave! Michelle is a black woman with American heritage. What do you think her ancestors were doing to eat? Rapping in the subway?
Now all the white people wanna come and talk about their long lost cousin Michelle.
‘Scrust!
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miss t-lee {November 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm}
@Me fail english?,
Seriously…who is supposed to be suprised by that?
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Cheekie {November 10th, 2009 at 12:15 pm}
@Me fail english?,
“UNrelated: Am I the only one pissed off at all the attention Michelle O’s genealogy is getting? First it was the core-shaking revelation that her great-great granny was *gasp*…a slave! Michelle is a black woman with American heritage. What do you think her ancestors were doing to eat? Rapping in the subway?”
Some people, I tell ya…
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Panama Jackson {November 10th, 2009 at 12:24 pm}
@Me fail english?, hell, at least they’re admitting they have Black people in their family. if anything, THAT will go a long way towards improving race relations.
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Me fail english? {November 10th, 2009 at 1:20 pm}
@Panama Jackson,
Yeah, but I have a feeling it’s only cause Michelle O is more famous andpowerful than the 2520’s claiming her. If they were on equal footing (or worse) they’d be treating her like her name was Stanley. You see how they did Jefferson and Washington’s black descendants.
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Sula {November 10th, 2009 at 2:18 pm}
@Me fail english?,
Rapping in the subway?
Why do you insist on having me fired???
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juanita Pistolas {November 10th, 2009 at 2:58 pm}
@Me fail english?,
lol @ rapping in the subway.
i think that for the longest white people have tried to dismiss color since it makes them feel uncomfortable. but now, things are in the forefront && i really don’t think they know how to deal with it.
as far as relationships, I feel black women rr too picky as previously said. we make up all of these notions && mythical situations before we even give the man a chance to say his name.
i don’t think Obama’s made it any harder than it already was for black women to find a black man. I think it’s just given some black women a more narrowed minded view as to what they want.
president obama was far from that when he met michelle && i think she is a great example of a woman who loved her man and stood by him even though he was still “in transition”
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“With Obama in office and doing the unthinkable, we couldn’t use the same old tired excuses and in fact, we should all want to do better……If Obama can, you can too.”
An idealogy easier said than done in the eyes of many, many Black men, P. While the glamour and shock of last November may have worn off some, the fact remains that most PEOPLE — not just AA Men — have to pushed to the brink to make changes in their like. When life is “comfortable”, people get lax and don’t ask for much else. Likewise, many have been lulled by the myopia of the world around them and what’s presented to them (TV, movies, literature, etc.) into demanding less.
Much like the mindset that many have that Barry-O was going to “wave a wand in the White House” and all would be right with the world, it’s was a pretty unlikely that AA Men would suddenly “waaaaaake uuuuuuuuup!” like Mission College in Spike Lee’s “School Daze”.
All that said, it has to start somewhere…the conversations that Obama’s ascension has stirred MUST be cultivated by AA men — in barbershops, at home w/ the fam, with the fellas on NFL Sunday, and in every venue possible. It’s REALLY a re-conditioning of the general mindset of owing it to ourselves to DO and BE BETTER.
Just my 2¢.
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I dont know about the change for everyone but for me it made me feel like a real part of America. I NEVER felt American until that day. But seeing a black man who is (sort of) first generation American just like me made me and alot of other children of immigrants feel like we belong in America and like we have a right to call ourselves American.
We wont know the full impact of this for Black America for at least 10-20 years.
I think that seeing Obama as just another president is a step in the right direction because it makes that a possibilty for the best and brightest with color being a non issue (or @ least less of an issue). But like Panama (i think ) said above it needs to be normal for kids to see and to KNOW black professionals so that those types of careers seem like just a normal attainable goal and not like you have to be some sort of superhero or christlike figure to get there.
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OrangeStar616 {November 10th, 2009 at 2:40 pm}
@CrissieD, I don’t think I had ever really felt American either, or like it was really something black folk could take pride in..it was always with a whole a BOX of salt given our long history of _____ and current affairs in this country, but when Obama took office I think alot of us felt American truly for first time and very proud of it and this learned and accomplished black man being the first black president.
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This is so unrelated but I need someone to enlighten me as to why the melanin deprived folk are referred to as 2520’s??
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SexyCool {November 10th, 2009 at 2:54 pm}
@BKSweetheart,
This gets explained on this site at least once or thirteen times a month.
25th letter of the alphabet. 20th letter of the alphabet.
YT = white
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BKSweetheart {November 10th, 2009 at 5:39 pm}
@SexyCool, oh i just joined a couple weeks ago so I’m still getting acclimated to the VSB jargon. Thanks!
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“He’s just the President now”
I’m quite happy about this. The messiah-status early on in his presidency caused many to set unattainable goals for him. Some people whom were interviewed said they expected an economic turnaround within two weeks of his inauguration.
Although business-as-usual sounds like a let down, I think he’s advantageously working the Washington Machine. And if this health care bill passes before the new year then he’ll have surpassed his predecessor (I know it doesn’t take much) by leaps and bounds in the realm of Presidential accomplishments.
As for the Black community. I think many still have that sense of drive and ambition. However I think fewer people are as excited about community service.
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Obama in office has helped build the self esteem of mixed children who once felt like they never fit in, as well as the black children who felt like they were outcasts because they spoke properly and didn’t fall into the typical stereotypes of black children.
Granted, I haven’t seen much when it comes to motivation of those who come from nothing to something in terms of statistical changes (but then again, I live in the suburbs, so I rarely ever see it, therefore I am omitting further comment on the subject matter), however, I have seen a sense of pride emanating from older blacks. Every time I go out, I see at least one black person…scratch that…one minority donning an Obama tee shirt who is middle-aged or older.
I have also seen more unity among the minority groups since Obama has been in office. Now more than ever, I’m seeing the Latinos and the blacks in my community bonding when originally they weren’t as prone to mixing (unless a relative was mixed). Now I’m seeing alot more black women dating other ethnic groups and such, with this self confidence that I’ve never seen before (I’m going to say this is in part due to Michelle Obama’s fabulousness being envied by the world).
All in all, Obama being in office is good for the minority psyche. It also seems to be a good way of keeping 2520’s in check, since they know that no longer is the most powerful man in the world “just like them”.
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@chaoticdiva,
Sorry if my coherence is a bit off…codeine.
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I’ve said this before the election and I’ll say it again. Obama doesn’t mean anything for the immediate future. Yes, he will have an effect on kids who are too young and impressionable to notice the realities of life that their parent’s protections mask but for us who do know, it remains the same. Our happiness at his victory was expected because, admit it, you never thought you’d see the day, right? Of course not, so we were excited as everyone else especially white people because it would seem to let them off the hook and isn’t this what they have wanted us to do for hundreds of years? The small change I do see is a very small amount of people are moving towards coming together at all costs. Black men and woman who see the veil and realize the horror many will feel when it is lifted and they don’t want to be amongst the brainwashed when it does. I am one of those, I keep extolling the virtue of togetherness and economic unity and anything else that will keep us together and protect us from the sad state, sadder than katrina victims at the dome, that our people will be in when they realize that once again we have been given a savior who will not help us. Obama has been in office for over a hundred days and he hasn’t burned the amendment that makes us 1/3 a human or that gives us the right to vote. I would have done at least that the first half hour I was in office. Cause both of those things gives them power over our humanity.
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I was in Russia 9 years after the fall of communism, and the blase attitude of the average 30somethings there is similar to the ones here, after only one year of Obama. However, the young that grew up in the time following communism, have their sights set on a much better life. I think that minoritys,especially AA`s , that grow up post Obama, will demand much more fairness and equality. I personally think that Obama would serve us better by focusing more on the economy and less on a “hot button” issue like health care. I wish also, that he had spent more time studying free-market capitalism than constituional law. Bigger, badder goverment is never an anwser to anything.
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