Black People Politics : Obama opposes slavery reparations, apology

Mad Skillz

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama opposes offering reparations to the descendants of slaves, putting him at odds with some black groups and leaders.

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The man with a serious chance to become the nation's first black president argues that government should instead combat the legacy of slavery by improving schools, health care and the economy for all.

"I have said in the past — and I'll repeat again — that the best reparations we can provide are good schools in the inner city and jobs for people who are unemployed," the Illinois Democrat said recently.

Some two dozen members of Congress are co-sponsors of legislation to create a commission that would study reparations — that is, payments and programs to make up for the damage done by slavery.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People supports the legislation, too. Cities around the country, including Obama's home of Chicago, have endorsed the idea, and so has a major union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Obama has worked to be seen as someone who will bring people together, not divide them into various interest groups with checklists of demands. Supporting reparations could undermine that image and make him appear to be pandering to black voters.

"Let's not be naive. Sen. Obama is running for president of the United States, and so he is in a constant battle to save his political life," said Kibibi Tyehimba, co-chair of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America. "In light of the demographics of this country, I don't think it's realistic to expect him to do anything other than what he's done."

But this is not a position Obama adopted just for the presidential campaign. He voiced the same concerns about reparations during his successful run for the Senate in 2004.

There's enough flexibility in the term "reparations" that Obama can oppose them and still have plenty of common ground with supporters.

The NAACP says reparations could take the form of government programs to help struggling people of all races. Efforts to improve schools in the inner city could also aid students in the mountains of West Virginia, said Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP's Washington bureau.

"The solution could be broad and sweeping," Shelton said.

The National Urban League — a group Obama is to address Saturday — avoids the word "reparations" as too vague and highly charged. But the group advocates government action to close the gaps between white America and black America.

Urban League President Marc Morial said he expects his members to press Obama on how he intends to close those gaps and what action he would take in the first 100 days of his presidency.

"What steps should we take as a nation to alleviate the effects of racial exclusion and racial discrimination?" Morial asked.

The House voted this week to apologize for slavery. The resolution, which was approved on a voice vote, does not mention reparations, but past opponents have argued that an apology would increase pressure for concrete action.

Obama says an apology would be appropriate but not particularly helpful in improving the lives of black Americans. Reparations could also be a distraction, he said.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080802/ap_on_el_pr/obama_slavery_reparations_1

WOW! Obama kissed white amerikkkas @ss bigtime while simultaneously disrespecting AAs who ever fought for justice. And yet Obama's disciples continue to shelter this charlatan from criticism regardless how often he berates the African American community. Pathetic! This joker would defile the legacy of every historic ancestor to appease whites just so he can get in the white house. This man is a WHORE. And what will you have to say about this betrayal? "Obama gotta say these things to get in the white house." You've just compromised your character.

Yes indeed Obama is the ultimate politician and that's okay with some because Obama has the best interest of Africans Americans on his agenda. LOL!

Oh...did somebody say something about "crabs"?
 
It aint gonna matter dog!

:donttell::explode::flamet::hammer:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama opposes offering reparations to the descendants of slaves, putting him at odds with some black groups and leaders.

ADVERTISEMENT

The man with a serious chance to become the nation's first black president argues that government should instead combat the legacy of slavery by improving schools, health care and the economy for all.

"I have said in the past — and I'll repeat again — that the best reparations we can provide are good schools in the inner city and jobs for people who are unemployed," the Illinois Democrat said recently.

Some two dozen members of Congress are co-sponsors of legislation to create a commission that would study reparations — that is, payments and programs to make up for the damage done by slavery.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People supports the legislation, too. Cities around the country, including Obama's home of Chicago, have endorsed the idea, and so has a major union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Obama has worked to be seen as someone who will bring people together, not divide them into various interest groups with checklists of demands. Supporting reparations could undermine that image and make him appear to be pandering to black voters.

"Let's not be naive. Sen. Obama is running for president of the United States, and so he is in a constant battle to save his political life," said Kibibi Tyehimba, co-chair of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America. "In light of the demographics of this country, I don't think it's realistic to expect him to do anything other than what he's done."

But this is not a position Obama adopted just for the presidential campaign. He voiced the same concerns about reparations during his successful run for the Senate in 2004.

There's enough flexibility in the term "reparations" that Obama can oppose them and still have plenty of common ground with supporters.

The NAACP says reparations could take the form of government programs to help struggling people of all races. Efforts to improve schools in the inner city could also aid students in the mountains of West Virginia, said Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP's Washington bureau.

"The solution could be broad and sweeping," Shelton said.

The National Urban League — a group Obama is to address Saturday — avoids the word "reparations" as too vague and highly charged. But the group advocates government action to close the gaps between white America and black America.

Urban League President Marc Morial said he expects his members to press Obama on how he intends to close those gaps and what action he would take in the first 100 days of his presidency.

"What steps should we take as a nation to alleviate the effects of racial exclusion and racial discrimination?" Morial asked.

The House voted this week to apologize for slavery. The resolution, which was approved on a voice vote, does not mention reparations, but past opponents have argued that an apology would increase pressure for concrete action.

Obama says an apology would be appropriate but not particularly helpful in improving the lives of black Americans. Reparations could also be a distraction, he said.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080802/ap_on_el_pr/obama_slavery_reparations_1

WOW! Obama kissed white amerikkkas @ss bigtime while simultaneously disrespecting AAs who ever fought for justice. And yet Obama's disciples continue to shelter this charlatan from criticism regardless how often he berates the African American community. Pathetic! This joker would defile the legacy of every historic ancestor to appease whites just so he can get in the white house. This man is a WHORE. And what will you have to say about this betrayal? "Obama gotta say these things to get in the white house." You've just compromised your character.

Yes indeed Obama is the ultimate politician and that's okay with some because Obama has the best interest of Africans Americans on his agenda. LOL!

Oh...did somebody say something about "crabs"?






He has been distancing himself from the cause slowly but surely. The only time he opened his mouth about blk folks is to condem them. He has offered us nothing. At least he is honest about it. Let the t shirts sell!!!! LOOk at the other gov ment funded house iggas co siging his postion starting with the naacp and on down to the urban league. I know reperations is far fetched. But he holds the same slavery was in the past u iggas need to get over it and get up off yo *** as stop eating popeye chicken and get a job that is what yo problem is. hotep
 
I normally don't step out of the poetry forum but I have an opinion on this one. I don't understand what is wrong with him saying "The man with a serious chance to become the nation's first black president argues that government should instead combat the legacy of slavery by improving schools, health care and the economy for all." Cause please tell me what does an apology solve with out a cure for what ails. It would be like saying I am sorry for putting that axe in your back but not offering to heal my wound or even take the axe out of may back. Well that's just my humble opinion
 
I normally don't step out of the poetry forum but I have an opinion on this one. I don't understand what is wrong with him saying "The man with a serious chance to become the nation's first black president argues that government should instead combat the legacy of slavery by improving schools, health care and the economy for all." Cause please tell me what does an apology solve with out a cure for what ails. It would be like saying I am sorry for putting that axe in your back but not offering to heal my wound or even take the axe out of may back. Well that's just my humble opinion

Greetings asimplepoet and THANK YOU for "stepping out" of the poetry forum to share here.

For me, I work against thinking or speaking in terms of "wrong" or "right". I substitute that for "helpful/healthy" or "hurtful/harmful" instead. It is quite harmful when I here advocacy for "improving schools,health care" etc because those systems HAVE BEEN equally harmful. I say this because the educational system is designed to educate us to thinking and behaving like europeans and denies the opportunity to learn of our true story on this planet. The Health care system is the same. It is designed and managed in a way as to maintain illness and promote dependence of medications without addressing or healing the root cause of illness.
True Reparations for me would support a separation ..an alternative educational and health care (and other) systems which support Afreekan Descendants with identifying and implementing curriculum's and heath care practices based on our knowledge of us.
I agree with you in that it does not good to take axe out and not providing space and resources for healing. Saying they would advocate for "better education..etc" is like taking out the axe and putting in smaller knives.
Also, IF they really wanted to support HEALING of the wounds, why is there no talk of MENTAL/EMOTIONAL HEALTH care programs to to do. Keeping in mind that these "programs" will be developed and implemented by AFREEKAN DESCENDANTS who are schooled or educated in the art of healing the mind. Afreekan psychologist, psychiatrist, social workers, therapists, educators etc. Let's say a program developed by Dr. Frances Cress Welsing or programs designed based on the works of Dr. Amos Wilson, Marimba Ani. Programs designed WITHOUT the influence or input of europeans. Programs which create employment and educational opportunities. Stuff like that and not more of the same education, health care, housing communities which are currently in place.
That is the problem I have with it.
Thanks again for stepping out!:hearts4:

M.E.
:hearts2:
 

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