Dr. Boyce: Has the Obama Presidency Improved Race Relations? Sure, Why Not…Yawn
by Dr. Boyce Watkins
As I fought through the last dreadful miles on my daily slog on the treadmill, I passed the time glancing at the TV screen above. My daily workout is the only time I get a chance to watch TV, and I was glad to see what I saw. On the screen were two of my respected colleagues, Georgetown University Professor Michal Eric Dyson and Professor James Peterson at Lehigh University.
The question of the day was whether or not race relations in America have improved under the Obama presidency. I turned my head to the side and thought about the matter for a second. With sweat pouring from my forehead, I realized that the answer was a resounding “yes.”
Some might be tempted to believe that race relations have worsened under Obama, since his presence in the White House has produced a violent reaction from every yahoo, buffoon and hillbilly within a 3,000 mile radius. Most of us can agree that the degree of hatred being spewed toward Obama is unprecedented, uncalled for and un-American.
At the same time, we have to realize that change doesn’t typically occur without struggle. America is a nation that is addicted to racial inequality, like an alcoholic who drinks two beers before breakfast. Our nation functions at its most peaceful when white men are at the top of the ladder, with the rest of us demoralized at the bottom. Any change in the pre-existing hierarchy upsets the system until it adjusts to a new equilibrium.
Obama’s sacrifice opens the door for America to not be so shocked the next time a black person occupies the Oval Office. In fact, the next black president might even have the courage to do something for black people. Obama’s contribution to racial progress, while notable and clear, effectively amounts to being the first Negro to get into the White House and not make too much trouble for the white folks. He is the Jackie Robinson of Presidential politics: The man who got through the door and tried to blend in without making much of a stink.
Mind you, an improvement in race relations is not the same as an improvement in the state of black America. By deciding to be effectively AWOL from the African American community for the last four years, President Obama has made a grand exchange with white folks, one that tends to benefit the top 1% of African Americans at the expense of millions who have lost their jobs, lost their homes and have relatives suffering under the holocaust of mass incarceration. If you believe that racial progress in America is the result getting approval and validation from white people, then the Obama presidency might very well be your trump card.
Some might say that President Obama is not responsible for “negro problems,” since they existed before he became president. After all, he is the president of all the United States, not just black America..for some, this means that ignoring black America entirely is justifiable, a clear reflection of the massive self-esteem problem that comes from 400 years of blatant racial oppression. We don’t have to be invisible in order for Obama to be successful.
Yes, Obama can’t be expected to solve all of these “petty negro problems” by himself, but you can certainly hold him accountable for not trying. While Obama’s access to the White House has been a power boon for wealthy black folks who went to Harvard (Valerie Jarrett will now be invited to the finest social gatherings), nearly every statistical indicator shows that black quality of life has worsened during the last four years and it’s silly to presume that it’s all because of Bush.
In some ways, you can compare Obama to the police officer who stands and watches his relative being beaten to death by the police chief. Standing up against the injustice might cost him his job, so his other relatives might forgive him for doing nothing. After all, the police chief was beating on his relatives long before he ever got the position.
There might be some, on the other hand, who find it morally reprehensible that he didn’t at least try to stop the beating when he could have. In his mind, the decision to stand by as injustice prevails is either a decision to protect his personal standing with the police force, a fear of the man in charge or a belief that the suffering of others should be allowed for the greater good.
The analogy here is that the same resources that the Obama White House has given to appease gays, Latinos, and other groups that don’t love him as much as black people do could have easily been shared with the black community (he doesn’t need anyone’s permission to pardon some of the black men serving 50 years sentences for selling drugs). The decision to allocate these resources elsewhere (similar to the decision of the officer to stand down in the example above) either comes from self-preservation, a fear of angering white racists who would punish him politically or a belief that protecting his presidency somehow adds to the greater good.
But as it pertains to the ability of whites and blacks to get along, the Obama presidency has certainly been a good thing for America. The problem is that as a community, we’ve taken a huge step backward, there’s no denying that. To pretend that Obama had no obligation to help solve the problem of racial inequality in America is to say that all of us have no obligation to help anyone but ourselves. That’s not what community building is all about.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
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Dr. Watkins, once again you’ve hit the ball out of the park. I really enjoy reading your insightful and thought-provoking articles. This article was spot on. Thanks.
I continue to be amazed at African-American scholars who argue that Barak Obama’s presidency has produced a backward step for African-American people. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I think that the real dilemma for black intellectuals is their committment to a discourse of protest. As a man of power, Obama does not represent a protest discourse. However, many of our intellectuals are so wedded to this discourse that they will reject anyone who discards it as non-black or even anti-black.
One great contributation of Obama’s presidency is to reveal the shortsightedness of tenured African-American intellectuals who can fail to appreciate the incalcuable benefit to African Americans that this administration has provided.
Dr. Boyce Watkins, you just don’t get it.
**long sigh**
Boyce, Obama could improve race relations only by acting to better to promote the interests of Black folks. They (Caucasians, Latinos, and Asians) would understand his efforts to implement policies that help to reduce black unemployment and crime rates. You’ve come up with a great solution, as always. BTW, I love your analogies. They are so rational.
I also meant to ask you have you ever been invited to speak on radio host, Rush Limbaugh’s program? Dude, I really think you’d do a great job in tearing down the president. It would like you’re acting as defense for the prosecutor. Just a simple analogy.
WHY WOULD AFRICAN-AMERICANS BELIEVE ELECTING AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT WOULD ERASE 400 YEARS OF HATE AND SLAVERY?
WE LOOKED TO HIM TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WE CREATED FOR OURSELVES…WE BECAME LAZY AND IMMORAL…WE LOST TRACT OF THE GOAL
boyce,
you had a good thing going with your sites, now everyone is unsubscribing due to your desire for fame and wealth. cannot you see your hustle on using obama, tavis, west, joyner, rev. sharpton, steve harvey to create traffic on your sites to attract white companies for advertisement dollars is tired and played out?
in the past, a topic on any of the above would have over 100 bloggers, now you’re lucky to get 50. wake up, boyce people are exhausted with you writing the same old funky stories about obama, rev, west etc…with different titles.
i for one will unsubscribe after the election, it’s just sad to see a once respected man sell out for a dollar..and too stubborn to listen to his readers due to his inflated ego as the smartest man in the black community. too bad they haven’t found a cure for the educated fool disease!
hope you have another hustle becasue this one will soon be over.
Dr. Watkins I truly appreciate this article I would of loved if it went deeper with more stats but it is great.
Thanks!!!
YEA…YES…LOL THAT IS WHAT THAT WEED WILL DO FOR YOU…I UNDERSTAND….I KNOW…..WEED IS SOME POWERFUL STUFF…I KNOW..LOL WHO’S TELLING WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT….I PRAY ALL WHO READ THIS DON’T SMOKE OR DON’T START SMOKING OR STOP!!!!! LOL
YOU HAVE YOUR EXAMPLE HERE….
Dr. Boyce
While the economy has affected African-Americans whole heartily, we have lost jobs, homes and family values. And a President who calls himself black but runs away from black issues faster than these men ran sprints Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, Micheal Johnson. Come on’ Man, Lets be for real Blacks are struggling today, President Obama does not give me that since of pride like a Muhammad Ali, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Richard Allen (Founder of the A.M.E. church), Frederick Douglas people who “talked the, talk and walked the walk.” But other groups seem to have his ear. We know that he inherited this mess but when it all said and done, “What has he done for Black Lately.”
I agree with David ! Who in their right mind would think that one black man can change this country and the world ? Dr. King was not acting alone in his efforts. He not only had support from the black community. He also had white supporters in the white house. Dr. Boyce is a Obama hater and he has his supporters on this site also.
Bob Marley said “I don’t stand for the black man’s side, I don’ t stand for the white man’s side. I stand for God’s side.” Black people quite hating on one another. President Obama has done no worse then the 50 year ruler ship of his predecessors . You want me to name them?
“Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up.” Muhammad Ali
I was not going to read the article but I am glad that I did because I really enjoy the insights of Boyce Watkins. I love educated men, especially when they are Black, and being young helps too. That means that not only can his logic be appreciated now, but as he grows older and wiser, he will be a definite force to reckon with.
Race relations has improved under the Obama administration. I look at this from a medical standpoint. If someone is sick, (someone is racism), and that someone does not seek professional help from a doctor, (racism is basically ignored in America), that someone will get worse, racism is worst than ever). But if that someone is diagnosed and the ailment addressed, that someone might get well. Racism has not been diagnosed, no one will address the situation and the situation is getting worst.
President Obama has successfully become president, successfully addressed problems of interest to a great deal of the public, but has not played a race card. This is favorable for the white folks, but he has stepped on their toes by not successfully playing the Ole Boy regimen that has been in the white house for years and the white folks do not like it. They are attaching this man daily because he is messing with their most prized possession: their money.
Black people are losing jobs, money and housing but not at the rate that the white folks are losing. They are losing ground on the ability to horde money, the ability to use anyone and anything as they please, and their white pride. President Obama is exposing them for the greed and selfishness inherited in them.
President Obama had too much on his plate to look at the minor problems of any one group. He has tried to make some type of cohesiveness for all people to share in the wealth of this country. In order to do that, he had to make them share and they still do not want to share equally.
These people are going wild because they are listening to their leaders tell of how the president is spending up government money to help unworthy entities, and these same leaders are feeding them crumbs of such so that they will feed into the madness. The only thing that these crumb snatchers can do is to demean the president, his family, and anything not white to sustain themselves.
Since the presidential elections have come up, racism has reared its ugly head more than ever. People are on this site and others talking about what n*****s the president and wife are, sprewing all types of venom about Black people, and doing whatever they want to Black people to vent their anger because they have to share the wealth of this country.
“Black Folk” are now complaining about a struggling economy and no jobs under the Obama Presidency while forgetting about the 50 year white “ruler ship” when they were drinking out of separate water fountains and sitting on the back of the bus. Like the black economy was doing fine then.
Let’s roll back the curtains and bring in the first team of John McCain and Sarah Palin. Dr. Boyce and his supporting “Black Folk” missed the boat on that choice. “Black people don’t have an accurate idea of their history, which has been either suppressed or distorted.” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
I love you Larry. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, President Obama is only human. Self preservation is innate. Possibly if he had had thousands of followers as did Martin Lurther King Jr., President Obama may have rolled up his sleeves and turned the tide of AA poverty. But, he did not because he’s a Pol, and Pols only think about their next election cycle.
Having said that, and given the choice that’ at sake in November, Romney d**n sure is NOT an answer to white men getting what they feel is inheritable. Both Obama and Romeny are Pols, and the lesser of two evils in this case is President Obama.
At least President Obama plays by the rules. At this time in Our Nation’s History there is no time for arrogant, selfaggrandizing individuals in the Oval Office.
@Larry. Facts are that blacks did better before integration. For example. Auburn Ave Atlanta. Black wall street Oklahoma. Black colleges and universities. Native Americans Chinese wanted to build their own. Look where they are compared to
us. I know we been brainwashed with civil rights but the results are the proof in the pudding. Uncle Tom’s and gays led us in the wrong direction. Sure we got a black POTUS. But now we are expected to shut up about racism and injustice. I expect a reasonable not angry response. To this comment. Desparate times require looking at things objectively. Further, lawyers tell me that poor black males are getting more time for similar white offenses since Obama. The worse this economy gets the more blame will be displaced to blacks. Racism is worsening in many regards.
Everyone in the US and outside ‘America’ go on the premise that every president is actually the power which runs the country and invariably the world. When that couldn’t be further from the truth, but who can expect people who have been bombarded with spin and propaganda to think otherwise? We are all conditioned to see everything in one dimension and with blinders on and it has been easy for the “powers that be” to convince us just so. I argue that we are deceived on every level of social thought and consciousness. We believe in things that we shouldn’t and we follow the train of lies laid out before us like rats going after bits of cheese. Obama is a surrogate for the super wealthy and powerful ‘Anglo-elite’, to think otherwise is an obvious sign that the level of con being perpetrated on everyone is working! It takes a lot of study, open-minded thinking and connecting the vast array of ‘dots’..to understand the levels of con, robbery, murder, deception, and lies, that the descendants of the original conquering hoards are constantly constructing for your consumption. Observe how affects each individual according to their positions and intellect, etc. Observe how they can turn police and military against the people and understand what frame of mindset they must have created in different people to get them to function and think the way they want them to. There is no real or true democrat or republican opposition, there is only the construct which creates figments of imagination in the individual’s mind.
That said. Mr. Obama is a man ‘out to get his’, regardless of who he has to step on, and he has agreed to be a surrogate because it does a lot for him and his family, and those he likes, but he wouldn’t dare do anything he wasn’t allowed to do! He knows that, but most of the world is left out of the loop! Most people don’t have clue as to why things are as they are and many people feel comfortable ignorantly living in a superficially constructed fantasy land! For those fortunate enough. Get your paper, but “blacks” should be assured that their money eventually winds up in the hands of powerful ‘white men’ who would just as well us all dead!
Also. The POTUS. Getting a finger in his face like a child, being demanded to support gay rights /marriage and now Michelle getting picked up by a wrestler are all evidence of white supremacy still in effect or worse. Its disrespect.
Everything done in public has it’s reasons. The human issues of rights, human rights should be a given as an umbrella which covers the whole human race, but people who have been infected by certain belief systems wish to impose their beliefs and dislikes on other for one insane reason or another.
There is no disrespect involved in some who’s mind is twisted and angry enough to do something they shouldn’t that happens every minute of every human hour. It is phenomenal how people forget what kind of people took this and other lands and what they will go to to do so. They never thought twice about murdering and taking from whomever were in their way regardless of ‘color’..They created the term “race” to use as one of their dividing tools (The Art of War) and it works well along with their insistence in religious beliefs. Among many tools of war ‘subliminal messages’ are part of their handiwork.
The world is dominated by the Caucasoid ‘Anglo-Saxon’ “white” people (with power) and they mean to keep it that way! No matter how many others they have to kill! Their killing methods are high-tech and some can be imposed silently, quietly, and without blame, such as HIV/AIDS. It is ludicrous for anyone to think that a “black” person would run this country without being put in place by these Barbaric “Kings”!
President Obama may not have improved race relations, but he has improved African Americans Health Care issues with the Affordable Health Care Act. Yes, Yes He Has. Some of us will feel the improvements immediately in our pocketbooks, as well as in our overall health. The African American, and the White impoverished will be the main benefactors of this new Law of The Land.
So say what you want, This Man has stayed true to his Mother’s Legacy when he promised if given the chance to change health care he would, and did.
America still has a problem with racism, and it is reported more now
buy the media because we have a president that is african american.As long as social darwinism and the image of the white man as G-D, or the son of G-D is still believed as the truth by the
masses, we will never come together as the human race, as G-D
intended for us to do.
G-D says that he made us different so that we may know one
another, not that we may despise one another.
I agree with d-rhyme.
the President told members of the NAACP to “Stop Complaining”
that’s not what he is telling other groups (What). We are taking a back seat to things that do not affect, benefit in anyway Blacks.
Holla
Koldcheese, your comment is stupid. You need to learn what the responsibilities of a President are. First and foremost they are not to coddle to the needs and quims of one race. He’s the President for all Americans who happens to be Black. The biggest problem with Black people is that we’ve always looked to someone or something else to solve our problems, if it isn’t GOD, it’s the Government; anybody but ourselves. Look in the mirror next time when you complain about what somebody or something isn’t doing anything for you, and why you’re in the position you’re in today
James,
President Obama wants our vote and we as a black race always fought and worked for everything we received for ALL the 400 years that we worked when others reaped the benefits and the glory. It is time we stand up and let others know we are God’s people and DESERVE the same equalities and justice as others.
James stop watching TV, read a book about African-American history and “Come On Board The Mothership”
Romney did the health care before Obama. As governor of Massachusetts. Fact.
O’Drama can’t stop racism nor can anybody else. Racism is a learned habit inbreded in caucasoids.
racism = the belief in and pratice of racial domination, discrimination, degradation and oppression
racists = individuals, groups and populations who believe in and practice white supremacy/racial domination
white supremacy = the organized and purposeful belief in and practice of white racial domination over ALL people, things, places and events
white surpemacist = theose persons classisfed as white who believe in, practice and implement white domination over all people, things, places and events worldwide
CRACKERS NEED TO CHANGE; NOT BLACK PEOPLE
WAKE THE h**l UP!!!!
I’m sick of these dumb azz articles blaming everything on Black people. We didn’t start racism…caucasoids did! We didn’t start wars…caucasoids did! We didn’t start white supremacy…caucaosids did!
WHEN ARE THESE caucasoid demon/devils GONNA CHANGE???
THAT’S THE QUESTION AT HAND!!!
We Have Some Really Good African Americans And Other Good Races Supporting President Obama But These “n*****s’, “crackers”, And Other Racist Pieces Of Trash Just Want To Degrade And Blame Him For All This Mess Created By Bush, Reagan & Other White Racist.
We African Americans And Other Real Americans Better Make Sure President Obama Is Re-Elected Because If That Racist Mitt Romney Is Elected He Will Surely Be Destroyed Within A Year.
This is NOT a post-racial society. And for anyone that thinks it is?
You are a goodam FOOL. End of story.
o took down vast lot of help for the poor,minorities.,youth gave Africa to big oil, Monsanto to eat alive—– worse than bush, nixon. brainwashed, don’t give a s—for any of yas
not a s— but doesnt he look good, pontificating in a podium
and on a poster
stupid black lemmings
he is using you
Dr. Boyce, your article I enjoyed reading very much; infact it is right on the the money. Everything you have analysed about Obama and his relations with Black America, is correct in my estimation, but its a tricky road he is walking, a tight rope, I wont say a balancing act, but a catch 22.
To cut long matter short, Obama wants a second term, period. He has to appeace a particular constituiency to reach this goal. Lets see whether he will do something for Black Folks during his second administration, which I am more than convinced he will have come November of this year, 2012.
If come November and the time after here Obama dont turn to the Black community then we can judge him, howbeit the judgements can continue, just for debate; this is my two cents on this matter.
h**l -2- the no!!!