With Poverty Being the Worst in Decades, Maybe We Owe Tavis and Cornel an Apology
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, KultureKritic.com
It has recently been reported that if poverty goes up by just .1% this year, it will be the worst poverty that America has experienced since 1965. Peter Edelman, director of the Georgetown Center on Poverty, Inequality and Public Policy, attributes the poverty increase to a host of factors, including globalization, outsourcing, immigration, and an attack on unionization.
Workers’ wages are not increasing at the rate they once did, jobs are being sent to other countries, and those who don’t want comprehensive immigration reform are more than happy to watch wages drop as illegal workers are exploited by large corporations. The breakdown of unions and even the use of prison labor are changing our economy for the worse and endangering the livelihoods of millions of Americans.
Two men who’ve been consistently blowing the horn on poverty are Tavis Smiley and Cornel West. What’s saddest is that many Americans have been so interested in maintaining their love affair with the Obama Administration that they won’t even listen to policy advocates who have legitimate points of view. Whenever Smiley and West try to bring up poverty, they are shut down, like the cousin who wants to tell grandma that her delicious soul food is going to give her diabetes. People don’t care to actually try to figure out if Cornel and Tavis have a point. Instead, they consider poverty to be a highly inconvenient truth that throws cold water on the Intoxicating Negro Fairytale that is the Obama presidency.
Do either Cornel West or Tavis Smiley have a personal issue with President Obama? I don’t know and I don’t care. Neither should you. The point is not whether their issue with Obama is personal. The point is that poverty is a critically important issue that affects millions of President Obama’s most loyal constituents. In keeping with the expected interaction between a political leader and the people he claims to represent, it is unfathomable that we can get angry because someone wants President Obama to address poverty. We sing and dance when Obama addresses gay marriage, immunity for illegal immigrants and the concerns of liberal white women, yet the matters that impact our community are considered to be too much trouble for such a busy and important person. This point of view is sad, sick and just a little bit creepy.
The whole ridiculous issue of whether West and Smiley were attacking Obama personally is annoying, largely because we are willing to let people starve while we figure out the answer to our petty question. After we finish saying “Awe, them negroes just be hatin on the president,” nobody says a word about whether or not the White House is taking poverty seriously. That’s like a kid telling his mother, “My teacher’s just hating on me, and that’s why she is accusing me of not doing my homework.” If the mother doesn’t verify what the teacher is saying, then she’s a bigger fool than her son.
I know Cornel West after speaking with him on the phone a few times and meeting him in person. I’ve never met Tavis Smiley, nor have I met Barack Obama. I am not in a position to speak on whether or not any of these men have personal issues with one another, nor would I care to be. In fact, I wasn’t even invited to the inauguration (I wouldn’t have gone anyway, voting for Obama was enough). But I do have a personal relationship with the starving families of America who are living in the streets because our people have forgotten to protect their interests. I also care deeply for the families that have been destroyed because the father has been serving a 50 year drug sentence that could be commuted by a presidential pardon, or the black kids dying in the streets of Chicago every single day of the week. That’s where it certainly becomes personal for me.
Poverty is important, poverty must be addressed and the issue must be kept on the table. Any words you hear from (wealthy) black public figures like Steve Harvey, who might allude to the personal nature of the West/Smiley critique, are the result of inside conversations meant to distract you from focusing on the real issues at hand and holding anyone in the Obama Administration accountable for what happens to the African American community.
The black elite are wired to protect one another, and this often comes at the expense of regular people. So, after you get done figuring out if Cornel is angry over not getting his inauguration tickets, refocus on the matter at hand and start demanding that all Washington politicians do something about poverty. It’s time to stop making excuses, for hope and change only start with people who demand it.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of YourBlackWorld.com. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Everything you listed as contributors to poverty were inherited by this administration. Every solution the President. has come up with has been struck down by the Republicans. Are you drinking th e Kool Aid the Repubs are serving? I ask all that are complaining did you vote in 2010 mid term elections? Let the brother get to the second term, then you can armchair quarterback his LEGACY. Otherwise SHUT UP!
THANK YOU!!!!
When I read the caption, I knew that Boykins would try to blame the poverty on President Obama. You are not winning converts to your point of view, Mr. Envious Ignoramus.
yall the ones drinking the kool-aid. You have totally brought into the republican vs democrat hype. both parties represent and do the bidding of the 1%. It was bill clinton that repealed glass steagal, enacted “welfare reform”, and instituted nafta. It was obama who refused to prosecute wall street criminals and remained soft on reforms while bailing out wall st with almost a billion $. Are the republicans supportive of these same criminals? h**l yea ..obviously. But to act like one party us your friend and to be left beyond question is the height of ignorance. Politics is about pressure…demanding through votes or $$$ what you want. We do neither and then imagine somehow that these people will work for you. Wake up. Ain’t no permanent friends in politics. But yall run around here like democrats love you…lol malcolm taught you better then that 50 years ago. He is turning in his grave I’m sure.
Preach! Best comment yet!
Yup. These Coloreds are so in awe of the Black Savior that they dont even notice what’s going on. All they know is they have to give Obama their full support because these “Big Bad White Racist Rich Republicans” are opposing him. smh. Better wake up
wake up and do what? remember that Romney was raised and taught for years that the “Big Bad White Racist Rich Republicans” were to disrespect and discredit “These Coloreds” with thoughts that ALL blacks were cursed. Hence, a black Mormon male could not hold the highly regarded LDS Priesthood1 because of his dark skin. Tavis and Cornel got used to the so-called white man’s superior status. President Obama is the “Coloreds” best bet for the next four years…
You have an obvious lack of understanding of the facts regarding Mormonism and the beliefs of individuals within the Mormon “church.” I will give you that Mormon theology is a bit warped, OK, a lot warped. I would guess that most Mormons, though perhaps more diplomatic than me, would consider my old-line baptist views as a bit warped. And no doubt most democrats out there find my old-line baptist views repugnant . . . you know, ideas like abortion is a horrific act of murder, that gay marriage is a affront to the core fabric of a society, and a man who won’t work to provide the needs of himself and his own children is worse than an infidel (that last one bothers some of you, doesn’t it?).
You will note that way back in 1978, the Mormon church officially rejected its FALSE teaching that black people are cursed, and removed any and all barriers to black men becoming priests. The Mormon church did not originally sanction the teaching, either. Joseph Smith was an abolitionist, and the early Mormon church (founded before slavery had come to an end) had formal positions against slavery. It was Brigham Young who came up with the restrictive teachings about black people, and had those teachings officially adopted into the church rules. Again, all this bias was officially removed in 1978, and removed in its entirety.
As with most matters of overt bias, the only way to get such an official stance changed is for the majority of those in the church (or government) to agree that the teaching (or law) is not right, and it takes quite a while for that shift to occur and a while longer for the official teaching (or law) to be changed. Now, you can find absolutely no evidence that Mitt Romney ever held a view that black people are cursed or otherwise inferior people; and it is a genuinely cheap shot to try to run him down based on a teaching that was abandoned over 30 years ago – a teaching that he had absolutely no part in starting or perpetuating. Don’t you think if there was any record, whatsoever, of Romney saying something on the order of agreeing with the Mormon’s pre-1978 rules about black people that it would have been put on youtube long ago?
Now, before you say “he was a member of that church” and therefore all the ills of that church and it’s leadership must be assumed to mean that all members of that church body also have those ills, think about Barack Obama’s own “church” in Chicago and the highly questionable garbage that came out its pulpit. When the right-wing attempted to tar and feather Obama with the incendiary rants of Jeremiah Wright, the “black community” ran to Obama’s defense, despite the fact that Obama attended that church for over 20 years and had a history of openly supporting the “ministry” of Jeremiah Wright.
I’m not for a moment suggesting that matters of religion aren’t fair game when considering whom you wish to vote for. I am suggesting that you ought to be honest and consistent in your analysis.
I agree. just because I voted for him and he is the first african american President does not mean that I do not have the right to hold him accountable. It also does not mean that he can do no wrong.
I agree with Teri. Black people noses are wide open. All they know is they have the 1st black president. They don’t know what he’s doing. He has done a few good things, but there are some things that he hasn’t done that will affect this country in the future, after he is out of office, just like Bill Clinton.
The truth of the matter is the Dems are no better then the Republicans. They are the lesser of two evils. The Dems want to keep the status quo, they sell dependency. I know some people will be affected by the new Voter ID laws, but there is no reason why abled bodied people don’t have atleast a state id. They were all over Bush and his wars, but do you hear a peep out of them about Obama ordering drones and killing innocent people. His support for Israels Aparthied against the Palestinians. The sanctions against Iran has nothing to with them wanting nukes, it’s something else to it. Check the history between Iran and the US. The president has the same imperialistic mentality as those that came before him and it’s usually against people of color. What is he doing to stop the killing in Congo? He’s turning his head just like Clinton did in Rowanda. What is he doing about Haiti, since the US is the main reason for proverty there. He has not tried to right the wrongs of the people of Africa. He could have selected the qualified lady from Nigeria for the World Bank position but he didnt.
I’m going to vote for him because he is the lesser of two evils, but I do owe Tavis an apology. I called him another Amstrong Williams, thought he was jealous of Obama (he was a bit salty), but he was right in trying to tell black people Obama was not what he was and is selling. Big money owns Obama! Look who he has surrounded himself with.
good comment
Well said, Teri. Well said.
Everything you listed as contributors to poverty were inherited by this administration. — Radiah
US poverty rates: 2007 = 12.5 percent; 2008 = 13.2 percent; 2009 = 14.3 percent; 2010 = 15.1 percent; 2011 projected 15.7 percent or roughly 48 million people. The Blame Bush Game ran by people like Radiah simply proves that not only is Obama incapable of solving this difficult problem; he can’t even remediate the issue as the 2009-2011 increases indicate.
Every solution the President has come up with has been struck down by the Republicans.—Radiah
Selective amnesia is a pathology often demonstrated by people caught in the throes of deception. In February 2009 Republicans in Congress had no capacity to prevent the passage of Obama’s $787 billion stimulus bill. The stimulus bill was touted by Obama as “the most sweeping economic recovery act in our history.” Yet poverty increased from 14.3 percent (2009) to a projected 15.7 percent (2011). And you’re blaming the Republicans. No wonder Ramona Africa said Obama was the “new crack.”
If I had your hand I would shake it. What have these three men done to give Black people a job, an education, some food, what? Why are they hating on President Obama? He has enough hatred coming from other races and he does not deserve the bad publicity being put out by these guys. Today my sister said that jealousy will destroy anything.
I am considered financially poor. I did not get in this category in the last four years. I know people who have less finance than me and they have been in their situations for more than four years.
I am with you and some others on here, if you are not going to be a solution – SHUT THE h**l UP.
Amen!! We need to come together to make things happen. We cannot place it at the White House door. One man can only do as much as he has support for. Where was all this indignation in previous years? Its not about brainwashing its about the power of Kuchichagulia!!
The questions is not do we owe them an apology, the question is what are we going to so about it, and are we going to accountable to community? Again, we look to Obama as some type of messiah for the ills of our community. Were is the criticism for those who possess the means and wealth to develop industry, schools, and other well needed institutions in the African American community?
Obama can only be president for eight years, so after his tenure ends, what will be the call of Tavis, Cornell, and you Dr. Boyce? One of the biggest issues for us is division. We allow ourselves to he divide socially, economically, and spiritually. Why can’t you and others like yourself who have public platforms work together to help unify our.community? I so understand that everyone has a different point of view, but we are I’m crises!
Where criticism for celebrities, professional atheletes, business business executives, etc who sit on there wealth and side with those who care nothing for our community? They know that their wealth is contingent on those people. And they have turned their back on us all. Sure it is easy ro sit in the white tower and profess what others should do, but is another ro truly work and live in the community to help the people who are still struggling.
How about this, you, Tavis, Corrnell, and any else that has ideas about what Obama should be doing start a national organization the develops, funds, and implements all the initiatives that need to be done to help the black community. Be sure to involve all stakeholders-national, state, local leaders, celebrities and professional arhletes,church leaders, business community, educational leaders and teachers, the health and wellness community,law enforcement, professional and service organizations, and people form the community. Let me know when you start this; I want to be part of it.
Great Post, so true. Cornel West has been around for years and I have never seen him so vocal about the black community before.
well said, another thing yall can say I’m wrong all yall want, but my cousin and her daughters have hardly worked a day in their lives and eat better than me, I took her to the store and after buying tons of food she still had over 700.00 dollars left of food stamps
. . . and your cousin is considered to be living in “poverty” because she does not work to generate her own income. Her actual living status is NOT poverty, becuase of things like you noted — she “income” comes from handouts that permit her to have a lifestyle that is well above true poverty, yet the goverment counts her as living in poverty because she does not work for her income.
I once heard a wise old politician, in speaking of poverty, say “we ought to make poverty as miserable as possible, so people would have a reason to get out.” That statement sounded harsh at first, but as I thought about it, it makes more and more sense. Sure, some people that internal drive hard-wired into their being, and they will work just because it is their nature to work. Yet, a great many people, if given the opportunty to be a comfortable sluggard, will choose that option, as the rest of us are forced to give up more and more of the fruits of our labors (also known as work) to support the sluggards.
for boyce and those who support boyce…can you name one thing he has done for black people that wasn’t for fame and money i.e. any marches, boycotts, protest, political office, etc?
is it just me, but i have never known boyce to take the lead, nor have i seen him at a protest, march etc. interesting how the two men he attack and hate the most, president obama and rev sharpton must live under constant threats of being killed.
boyce can ride around in a convertible car and live in a
see-through tent and never have to stress about someone trying to kill him. the most he might get is some little kid throwing eggs at his tent. i wonder why white folks are not threatened by the dangerous black leader… boyce watkins. lol
i always say, never trust so called black leaders who claim to be doing work out of love for black people, although whites folks are not trying to kill them or undermine their efforts. i.e boyce, tavis, west
dr. king, malcolm x etc. are the type of leaders who truly love black people, they were willing to die for what they believed in to show their sincere love for black people. i.e. unlike boyce, tavis, west
unlike this bull c**p boyce is trying to sell when he talk about it poverty being personal for him. lol
if i’m wrong, are there any white folks concerned are threatened by boyce’s love for black folks…i rest my case.
when boyce talk about it being personal for him…don’t be fooled, he is talking about his personal bank account.
written by justunderstand.
You must understand something about Boyce Watkins. Several years ago, Mr. Watkins was someone for which I had the utmost respect. However, he is in the process of trying to re-create himself on an international level. I suppose he is trying to become the Black Rush Limbaugh.
His ratings as a professor from his students are terrible; so as for his stability as a professor is concerned, he probably sees the handwriting on the wall. He takes every opportunity to criticize the President, and I’m not convinced that it’s because he actually believes what he says; but his negatively written opinion on President Obama causes controversy, and he’s been in the media long enough to know that controversy creates popularity. Good or bad, he just wants the words “Boyce Watkins” on the lips of a large audience.
So the bottom line is that at this point in his life, he would rather have fame than favor with his readers and former supporters. Maybe he will succeed at being the Black Rush Limbaugh of the day. If so, I’ll give him credit for reaching what seems to be his ultimate goal. Evidently, fame is much more important to him at this point than respect. Personally, I’d take the respect.
This post was intended for “Just Understand”
You attack Dr. Boyce as a person, but you (and most of the other commenters) do nothing to address the valid points he made about poverty. In so doing, you are using the very same tactics against him that he rightly notes has been repeatedly used against West and Smiley: Avoid the pressing issues of the community and instead focus on the personal motives of those who point them out. Hence your post. “Boyce is doing this because he sees the writing on the wall as a professor…blah blah blah.” At the end of the day, by following the same tired tactic, all you are doing is sidestepping the real issues, and proving Dr. Boyce right.
Now what was that you said about poverty?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
True & valid points! N total agreement!
Denmark you are the man/woman. It’s couldn’t have been said by anyone any better.
I completely and wholeheartlily agree with the two previous comments!
I completely and wholeheartlily agree with the two previous comments!
I have no problem with Tavis nor Cornel saying what they want to say however my question is the good ole boys have fought him on everything he has done since he has been “our” President. My question is what can he do about Poverty alone?
I feel all the Democrats and Republicans ought to be working on the POVERTY issue and if not then they don’t need to be representing us.
I strongly believe in hold folks accountable for their actions but I also recognize that somethings may be beyond their control.
So
Shenitra ,some friends & a few family keep saying ‘[ you can’t tell nobody how to spend their money},,,,I’m with you ,, the negroes that have tasted success otta be ”’ banding together to give back ,, Well focused response .. I doubt the author will respond .. but My girl Y C will blast!!!l don’t let me down Sista wink
I’m sure that you’re aware that the conservatives in congress will not approve President Obama’s job bill. They have been obstructive since he came in office. Republican governors are laying off public workers, especially teachers and other jobs that had strong unions. Instead of trying to blame our president for what he clearly inherited and the fact that people were to ignorant or lazy to vote in 2010 and that’s why these conservatives and crazed Tea party politicians are able to continue to obstruct, why don’t you do something constructive like educate the masses and vote the obstructors out of office.
Let mr say first of all I’ve always had high respect for both dr west and tavis. My problem with the criticizing our current president is it seems our current economic situation is all his fault! Is it only me that sees that george bush left a mess for him on 1–20- 2009? Why is president bush given a pass? Do I agree with everything mr. Obama has done? NO! But to hammer him like west & smilley just isn’t fair! I wonder if mitt romney gets elected will they be happy? And will u two hammer him like u continue to hammer obama? I hope he’s re-elected and both of you are proven wrong! As far as I’m concerned you already are!!!
@ Shenitra, your post is brilliant. Ditto!
I have no problem with Tavis nor Cornel saying what they want to say however my question is the good ole boys have fought him on everything he has done since he has been “our” President. My question is what can he do about Poverty alone?
I feel all the Democrats and Republicans ought to be working on the POVERTY issue and if not then they don’t need to be representing us.
I strongly believe in holding folks accountable for their actions but I also recognize that some things may be beyond their control.
h**l NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Why don’t you look at the President’s record and list all the things he has been able to get done and then list all the rejections that have come from congress. I think we owe the President an apology for not voting in the 2010 elections and allowing all the right wing nuts to be elected.
Yes, sure Boyce, Tavis and West, the Messiah Obama has arrived, and he shall cure all the ills of this country and the world, especially for black people, and if he is not able to accomplish these miracles, we’ll just vote for Romney because we know he has black people’s best interest at heart! So all you so-called brilliant intellects, just continue your divide and conquer tactics, confusing and alienating black voters!!!
Think about it, ya’ll. The economy has been tanking for a while now and the black people feel it the most. Where will we be four years from now? When you back the President because he is black, even though the he does not work to help all people, you are promoting your own demise. Don’t let the skin color fool you. Remember what was sung about our leader Malcolm X; it was the hand of a nig that pulled the trig. Judge by actions–not skin color.
“Father serving a 50 year drug sentence that could be commuted by a presidential pardon” Really Dr. Boyce, what do you think these guys do when they are released? get a job and take of their offsprings or go back to being a Don – easy money and corrupt the young.
As Shentira suggest, come up with a plan and let us know, we’re ready to support.
Dr. Boyce, I wonder if Cornell, Tavis or even yourself have also investigated, analyzed or even looked at the role that the GOPs in Congress have had in ineffectiveness of govt. All of the job bills or bills dealilng with the economy coming from the President have either met a thumbs down vote in the Republican led House of Reps or a filibuster by the Republicans in the Senate. Do you remember the famous words of Senator McConnell (R) saying “our job is to make Barak Obama a one term President”? You, Cornell and Tavis or very quick to be critical of the President without appreciating the political head winds he has faced mostly throughout his term. George Bush did not have the resistance in Congress when he spent all of a budget surplus and turned it into a budget deficet and look where that led us. And that took 8 years not 3 1/2. I hope you have not bought into the GOP rhetoric.
h**l No! We don’t owe them “Carnival Barkers” an apology. What the “Barkers” should be doing is focusing their criticism on the right wing extremists instead of constantly attaching our President. The extremists sole position is to defeat our President by any means necessary. You want Romobot as President, join the Barkers and Watkins. If you want the President join me and millions of progressives in leading the fight against the extreme right. Re-elect President Obama 2012!
There is enough blame for all. In politics the squeaky wheel gets the oil …or the one with the best financed PAC. How are we to expect anything by sitting on the sideline doing and saying nothing? Why does the slightest demand or criticism automatically equate to not voting for Pres Obama? Shouldn’t he have to work for that vote ? Politics is not the land of promises. You have to make demands….sitting by as the silent stalwart supporter has yet to pay dividends for us. We can either organize and develop our own angry poverty stimulus plan and or demand one from the current administration whoever that might be..but doing neither is not an option.
for the mass of blacks in america they are right…obama have not did or said any think about blacks in america….he why to talk about the white europeans being kill with gun violance but nothen about blacks all aver the place being killed…in a lot of case because of poverty
First of all these two guys have thier own personal reasons for not trying to help Mr Obama and I think we all know why…with that said, where were these Men when Mr Bush was tearing this Country apart,,when he took all of the Money Bill Clinton had in surplus and gave it to the American People as a so called Tax Break…did they get theirs…I agree that Poverty in this nation is live and well,but to put the Blame on this Administration for this is way off base…by the way who is buying gas for this so called Poverty Bus Tour….if you do not have a solution to the problem,then you become a part of it…..and last but not least I don’t think we owe them anything…..
when crackhead boyce is low on cash and need a hit…look for him to write these divisive articles to get us to react by blogging so he can buy more crack. why is would he write this c**p…lol
You attack Dr. Boyce as a person, but you (and most of the other commenters) do nothing to address the valid points he made about poverty. In so doing, you are using the very same tactics against him that he rightly notes has been repeatedly used against West and Smiley: Avoid the pressing issues of the community and instead focus on the personal motives of those who point them out. Hence your post. “Boyce is doing this because he sees the writing on the wall as a professor…blah blah blah.” At the end of the day, by following the same tired tactic, all you are doing is sidestepping the real issues, and proving Dr. Boyce right.
Now what was that you said about poverty?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Oh, I forgot: you didn’t actually have anything to say about that.
there is nothing you can say or do to salvage the besmirched reputation of boyce watkins.
let it go…boyce crossed over to the dark side as a sell out to make money with tavis and west. i cannot wait to see the reaction on his face when black people boo him to let him know we don’t appreciate his actions in trying to black people. lol
I agree with you Dr. Boyce, Dr.West & Smiley. Why not hold the President accountable for his failure to address Poverty. As long as Liberal Whites, Gays and Hispanics are appeased, the Presiident believes he has met his objectives. There is no need for him to address Poverty because the vast majority of Blacks will defend and vote for him no matter how much he continues to ignore us. And, poor Whites won’t. To presume Dr. Cornell West and Tavis Smiley were being vindictive by bringing attention to such an important issue as Poverty in America over a ticket is just ridiculous.
No Dr Boyce … I don’t believe we owe Tavis Smiley and Cornell West apologies … instead I think we should ” relegate ” these two insulated, egotistical, unimaginative and cowardly ” Gad-Flies ” to the trash-heap of African-American history … because after all, Great-Minds are truly Sources for the Solution … while Small-Minds will always be Part of the Problem! Vern Wrotten, Truth Seeker!
I cannot apologize to the “duo.”
Did they accost Pres. George Bush? We had the same problems then.
We all know poverty ihas increased. It does not take a college professor to know this. With unemployment being as high as 10% want would you expect? It is not only Blacks that are unemployed but all races. One of the big problems in the Black community is that so many of our children do not graduate from high school. If we have a 50% drop out rate who is going to hire uneducated people.? I would like Professor West to come up with a solution for our children and communities. He is the educator. Find a solution for the problem and approach the Black Caucus to introduce legislation to fund it. I am sure the President would sign a bill that would help impoverished people. To make a statement without some solution does not help the Black community. Tavis Smiley has money. Maybe he and Mr. West could develop a plan to keep our children in school. How about some vocational training programs to help our youth and unemployed. In many states there are free vocational training programs. Encourage our people to take advantage of them.
Mary,
Although I agree with your comments, I must add that I have little to no faith in our leaders. Some are constrained, others are in it for money and the few true and blue leaders are ignored.
Rather than wait on these leaders to create and motivate people to take advantage of programs we as parents have to instill values in our children. We just have to take responsibility as a whole.
On a side note, many of these programs are targeted towards lower income families and the lower income guidelines are extremely low. The programs do not help people who are considered to make a little more money above the poverty guidelines.
In the last thirty years 20 million jobs have been out sourced. We just heard the yelling about the US olympian uniform being made in China only 2% of the clothing we wear are made in this country, New Balance is the only sport shoes maker in this country. We don’t manufacture much of anything. Obama can hire his cabinet that it. George W. Bush and our first black prez Bill Clinton, or non of the of the other prez. control the means of production. the jobs were gone before Bush or Obama became prez. they are gone………. WHAT JOBS ARE WEST/SMILEY/WATKINS talking about. If they are not talking about jobs what other methods are they suggestiing that people use to get out of poverty?
Don’t look for help from the President or Congress or GOP! If they are honest the country can’t afford it.
We are 16 TRILLION in debt. and borrowing like crazy
Think about it, (I know we don’t do math or understand economics) If you owe 110% of your household income and in order to maintain your current life style you borrow 40% more than you make per year. What do you do to correct the the situation?
The President says tax the rich, OK if you took every penny from them that will change that 40% to 39.9%.
Oh in August of this year add another 1 TRILLION to the debt.
Stop expecting government to help, with funds they have been giving us crumbs for 50 years, we still have our hands out, it’s dumbing us down, all our youth think they can do is dance and sing, grown men sit around playing electronic games and fantasy football.
Young people act like they don’t know where babies come from, either that or believe the only way to prove they were loved at least once is to have a baby. Not understanding the consequences, if they had motivation to do something great now it’s no more.
We don’t have to be poor, we do it to our selves, I see people coming in for a job interview who don’t speak English well at all, tattoo’s around the neck, up and down the arms, ladies with hair styles looking like they just got out of bed, then they know nothing about the job they are interviewing for. Ok I’ll stop, but you know where I’m coming from and going, right! Were not all poor and not all wealthy and I for one do not think every black person can not be lifted up out of poverty any more than every white can be lifted out of poverty.
Onesilverbac—– your the best-your statements are very profound ,and you genially have the best solutions for us Black Folk/African Americans- My favorite brother can you help me to bring the conscious of our people up to date-as far as to make it a number one issue of showing our solidarity by stop spending our monies in institutes and business that view us as less than humane-and ignorant-and drug users-and the low lives in America.
Please Mr. Onesilverbac- I know you can beat the drum to a tune of SELF- HELP.
Boycott Christmas 2012
@Lynn. What has Boyce done except write negative blogs about President Obama. The article does not mention that the President has been in office for less than four years and is working with a Congress whose goal is to make him a one-termer. I will never apologize to Tavis, Cornel and Boyce because they are little more than dividers and racial pimps. What programs have they put forth in all of the years of hustling books, conferences and speaking engagements? Boyce is a Judas Goat and we know what happens to them when the Republicans no longer need him. If either of thes so-called ‘brothas’ offered a model that could be replicated in major urban areas, I am sure that most of us would step up to help but Boyce’s b******g about President Obama is a turn off to those of us who work with at-risk youth and adults. When have we seen anyone of them in those affected communities doing anything other than speaking and picking up a check?
Eric Waltree sums them up better than anyone I know and he can do it because he has his ‘boots on the ground’. But the Trecherous Trio believe that they aremembers of the Talenth Tenth; therefore, they do the thinking and the rest of us do the working. Boyce and Cornel appear to believe that they are the only well-educated Blacks in this Country. Note to both of them: lots of us are well-educated but have no need to flaunt it in everything we write or say. As soon as the election is over, Mitt won’t need Boyce for his ads and many of us will unsubscribe. Maybe Rush will let him co-host his radio show!
My heart goes out to the 12 victims and the so many others that was injured in C. This was a terrible act of crime which left the black and white communties in dismay.May all the families involved in this horrific act of crime recieve God’s blessings.
Now, with that said. Hundreds of young black victims lay dead in morgues and graves in Chicago as i speak. The murder rate caused by gun violence in our black communities is so high that i’ve lost count.Yet and still nothing was done or has been done by these evil acts. None of the all day everyday news coverage, or the President coming out to speak to the families of the injured or deceased. All the young in Chicago that lost their lives by gun violence were African American but they too were human and deserved the media coverage and Presidential visit that any other race recieved. I said all this just to say,i still love all those that hate me and my people but i don’t trust none of them!!!
Nah, we owe President Obama an apology for not getting off our corporate arses and voting during MidTerms 2010 to keep those Tea Party thugs off him so he can get his job done…
MidTerms 2014 are coming.
I hope WE learned a lesson about who we let in Congress in this country by the time Obama gets re-elected [ http://www.politicususa.com/republicans-spread-despair-blocking-bill-bring-jobs-home.html ].
Amen to that!
Shenitra – I like your post. Just getting a little concern with us – trying not to get MAD, but it’s hard. Just wanted to provide my thoughts. We must deal with the fact that we fell asleep when Clinton was in Office for two terms and we went on vacation when Bush was in office for two terms. And now we want to speak out against Barack – we cannot blame Barack; we must blame ourselves! We stood by and allowed a record number of our children to drop out of high school; and now they are going to jail at a record rates.
>We allowed social media and the TV to tell our children our to dress and act, so now no one wants to hire them (we can’t even get our children to pull their pants up!).
>We allowed our children to smoke and drink to he point were they cannot pass a drug test to get a decent job.
>We did nothing when the Government implemented Laws to prevent the middle class from filing for bankruptcy when the system took advantage of them.
>We fell for the American Dream and wanted to live like the “Jones” – we knew we could not afford to 500+ thousand dollar homes. I don’t care what the lenders or banks told you.
>We did not hold the rich and famous accountable for taking our children money for clothes, shoes, video games, cell phone, computers, etc ., and make them give back to their community.
>We did not come out to vote in 2010 to prevent the tea party members from getting in office.
>We talk about poverty, but the fact of the matter is, our children can’t read, can’t manage money, lost out on all survival skills that was taught by our ancestors (they don’t know how to use their hands), and can’t effectively socialize with diverse cultures. WE HAVE BEEN “PIMP OUT OF SOCIETY” AND WE CAN’T BLAME ANYONE BUT OURSELVES.
Lets stop asking our President “what is he going to do about poverty – it’s not much he can do with the situation our children and some adults are facing in their live. We need to change our, “it’s about me” behaviors and start working together to save our children and community ourselves. Go back in 2008 and listen to Barack when he said – it will most likely take 2 term to correct the economic damage caused by the Republicans. Boyce, you have a voice and a platform – do something (You have your people’s support). Form community meetings around the country to address these social ills that’s impacting our children, adults, and seniors. We are in a “Catch 22”, and we must ask ourselves “Who Can We Trust, Barack, Romney or Ourselves?
Finally, I love and respect our President, Travis Smiley and Cornel West – lets come together for the benefit of everyone.
A thoughtful proposition!
The Obamaists want us to ignore the truth that poverty impacts on Afrikans most and want us to falsely believe that obama can only do things to benefit non-Afrikans and ignore Afrikan needs at the same time with impunity.Obamaists spread the big lie that he is not accountable to us as president: he is only accountable to his European masters and mistresses.
The Obamaists want us to ignore the truth that poverty impacts on Afrikans most and want us to falsely believe that obama can only do things to benefit non-Afrikans and ignore Afrikan needs at the same time with impunity.Obamaists spread the big lie that he is not accountable to us as president: he is only accountable to his European masters and mistresses.
This post is for “Lynn” and “Just Understand”
Lynn – thank you very much for your post! “Just Understand”, you have no idea what you’re saying. I’m very appreciative for Dr. Boyce Watkins, his thoughts, opinions and his website.
“Just Understand”, I’m curious to know how you would know his “stability” as a Professor? In addition, what’s wrong with Dr. Watkins having an International appeal and thinking global?
You are the worst kind of sell out!!!!! You remind me of the slave that told “massa” there was going to be a slave revolt! If your weren’t so envious of Dr. Boyce, maybe you would see how ignorant your statements are. Also, I bet you never read nor listen to Rush Limbaugh!
In addition, you would never say these things about Rush Limbaugh on his site! You don’t have the b***s; however, you’re real tough when it comes to saying garbage about BW!!!!!
Lastly, I’m not a blogger that hides behind a computer and think he’s brave. I am more than happy to share my phone number, personal email, address, whatever your comfortable with if you have something to say!
ok..tough guy! stop acting like a b***h and swanging on boyce’s nuts. what you’re willing to die for boyce now. smh…lol
what is the first thing people do when they are busted or caught in lie..answer: they get angry…just like this fool.
must have hit a nerve with the truth about boyce…we can see the anger in your writing. you’re so upset about exposing boyce that i would not be surprised if it’s boyce himself posting with a fictitious name. lol
Why are you guys so h**l-bent on helping Romney? Let Romney get in office and let’s see if he will give a d**n about your black sell-out a***s.
Lynn is correct. No one is dealing with the issue. Has Barack Obama made a valid and sufficient attempt to deal with poverty in the black community? I can honestly say, no he has not. He does not even say the words black or poverty. This silence speaks volumes. Since most black American are Christians, I’m going to end this reply with a quote from your spiritual manual, the Bible. “No one can serve two masters….Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24) Hence, Obama and Romney cannot serve the people that elect them and the corporations that finance them. They have to pick one over the other and it is an easy decision because everyone who wants to be a serious contender for President have to have funding from corporations. Currently, their funding is indispensable. Therefore, our goal should be to call all politicians out that play this game, to hold their feet to the fire and ultimately to change the game by taking corporate funding out it. Peace and prosperity to all that truly stand for love and kindness.
All we need is some good old fashion Field Negro Love. These New-gros are as lost as a kite in the mist of a hurricane- we need to understand the house negros will always be the house negro- those are the ones who are tolerated and rewarded- as long as they be the best minstrel and keep his or her mouth shut. Family let’s pray for the brain washed New-gros let’s band together as the Mighty Field Negros and fight to control our communities. First we most have one plan here’s a suggestion- let’s show some solidarity by not spending our monies during the time the business community makes the bulk of their profits-Christmas holiday season. Let the Latino community spend their monies-they are the ones who have the jobs that our sons and daughters are without.
Boycott Christmas 2012
Sherita,
I too agree with your point and while Smiley/Tavis may have some statistics on poverty I never hear or see them put solutions into action. I too say when they find the answer and come together, sign me up. Poverty didn’t just start since Obama came into office so why are be begrudging the man on everything he’s tried to accomplish and despite the resistance he’s made progress. No president who inherited the pile of c**p he did would have turned over this country back to the america we once knew it as. It’s always been the have and the have nots and for reasons like this when many blacks act like crabs in a bucket. It’s shameful and embarrassing times because were the only group who cannot seem to unite and work together on any level. We definitely need to wake up and realize the times were living are no joke. But let Rommney take the reign and we shall see IJS…
Dr Boyce,you are starting to sound like cornel and mr smiley.Are you trying to drum up interest by this article.I do expect better of you because you know the truth….shame on you Dr Boyce
Travis and Cornel…I for one do not feel we owe them an apology. Dumping on our President as if he has a magic wand to erase the century old conditions of poverty is simply absurb.
Do you really think the Republican Party nominee will address their cries for help and erase poverty, especially looking at Romney’s economic plan for the nation. They have played the “trickle down” story over and over again and when has it erased poverty in our nation. Ask Cornel and Tavis to focus their attention on Romney for a moment to flush out his policy to address poverty in America. Ask Romney what plans does he have to reduce unemployment specifically targetting Black Americans.
Look around the world people, we are living in world were jobs are very scarce. Make sure your kids get an education because only the most educated are going to make it.
Blaming the President is just feeding into the Republican plan in making him a “ONE TERM PRESIDENT”.
Dr Boyce, use your platform to unite our people behind the President and not divide us which appears to me that you, Smiley and Cornel are doing, and hiding behind the poverty issue.
Our economy is bad, and its going to be bad. Bad policy over the last 30 years has assured this. But it will get better, regardless of who is in the White House. It just happens to be Barack. Its an unlucky draw of the straw for him in that regard.
My problem with Cornel and Tavis is that I didn’t hear this chirping prior to Barack getting into office. I didn’t see the “free” book tours before the man stepped up to the plate. The time to address poverty isn’t when we are a hair of a percent away from the record. It should have been years ago when Tavis first got on air on BET. For Cornel it should have been before he was appearing in the Matrix movies. My point is, these brothers don’t get an apology, simply because they rub me the wrong way. I can never tell you whats in a mans heart. But whenever anybody is holier than though, it doesn’t sit right when they reach that state of mind at juuuuust the right time. And for them, it just happened to be when the first black president entered the oval office.
Crabs in a barrel, or legitimately concerned citizens. It shouldn’t be this hard for me to tell.
Sounds like you guys expect POTUS to save Black Folks. Having worked to help blacks help themselves a lot of the blame lies with us. We buy things we don’t need when our rent is due. Kids can’t read, but can rap & talk trash. Tatoos everywhere, piercings, cell phones, rims etc., How about some life classes, financial planning, adult reading classes etc.,
I’m glad you said that, Wealthylady. May I tap into that thought and expand a bit. Thanks, Blacks are 12.3% of the US Population, mostlly consumers. We add to this economy by spending $1 Trillion a year. Only 14 countries have a higher economy then us. Yet 1 in 5 black families live in poverty. a black woman w/children earns $25,000 a year and 40% of families headed by single moms are poor. This is what we spent in 2009.
62.2 Billion on food (Mickey D got his cut)
29 Billion on Cars ( not trucks, taxes or tractors)
29 Billion on Cloths
23 Billion on Health Care
6.1 Billion on Electronics
3.3 Billion on Tobacco
3 Billion on Alcohol
995 Million on Sports & Recreation
321 Million on Books and magazines
2 cent of every Dollar spent ($19 Billion) could pay for college for every Black College Student.
Who is Obama suppose to save us from, our selves.
I really have a big problem with all that is being said. First let me say this. Did not Jesus say that the poor will always be with you.
So why blame Obama. The other thing that I know is that many Negros today are not any place where Malcolm X was. If you all were you would make the sacrifice he made. Why did you not join the most discipline group which was The Nation of Islam,and help to build the African American community from the ground up.
Most African Americans use the so called Black community to enrich your selves,you talk out of both sides of your mouth. I don’t see any of you as soon as make the big bucks you are living high off the hog in a more comfortable situation You talk Black but what you want is to live white. I have not only watch you do this but become a bourgeoisie in the process. You got a Ph.D and you are sitting on your ivory tower Tree.You are on TV and you have become the house Negro like a crow sitting on top of the pole,making sure the yard Negro don’t foil your play. You sit on the side line making it look like you care about the poor,talking a lot of BS the run back to your ivory tower of being a capitalist. Brother this and Sister that while you hang out on campus with the fat cats.You talk about Brothers in jail and you sight all the statistics about poverty which is a a facade that is to say false artifical appearance to appease the status quo. You talk about Frederick Douglass and W.E.B.Dubois but you are not them.You are not Huey P. Newton,nor are you Kwame Toure. You are a fake. You would not know what a revolution was if it bit you in the a*s.Obama is not the culprit in crime. The problem was before he was born. Plus you all are so wrong playing behind the racist color codes system on Black and white. Bill Cosby is so right about one thing you all are not Africans you are still a Negro on the plantation.. You made just enough noise to be heard by the power that be of the economy you got your job making money and you think your Free.Obama knows his Daddy is from East Africa and what tribe he is from.You want to label him Black He is African Anglo did you forget his mom. Obama is not President of or for Black or white he is President of all in the USA. You think he can change the system in 3 or even 8 years. Why not follow Minister Farrakhan or the Nation they have made new adjustments for the future America,they are not going back to Africa,and he too has become a wealthy man a home here and a home there. Every one would like to live better I don’t fault any one for that.A bunch of hypocrites all about the money.. Jesus said the poor will always be I don’t see you all trying to leave this country.I don’t think you should you help make it to be,you have every right for justice and and human rights.f**k them before the f**k me. Survival of the fit-test. Dog eat dog it is all a theater filled with drama,as long you are at the ivy league school and your a chairman of a department or sitting on the board of some big company and getting your own TV show or a kick back,you doing the same thing you accuse the Anglo American of doing. Me and my shadow walking down the lane that is the real shame just out for your glory and fame.. Now if you understood the real dynamics we are in a revolution and we do have some honest African American brokers and if you really was right you would do every thing to see that Obama got not only electic for the next 4 years after that you would get the law repeal and get him another 4 years. Convince The American people that to truly make The USA great we need this brother in for 12 years.. I am not against the Red White and Blue I am a Vet like many who gave their lives to make America true to the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King. Trash talking Obama just will not do,you sound like the Conservative conscience of Republicans and many Democrats too.
Senator Barry Goldwater said this:” I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient,for I mean to reduce its size. I do not not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws,but to repeal them”. He also said: ” I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!” He also said it is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution,or that have failed their purpose,that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is “needed” before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. Last word up the Constitution is all about the interpretation. 9 Supreme Court Justice final word. Obama is working on that he just put A Latino Puerto Rican Sonia Sotomayor a great mind on the Supreme court. That is the place to help win our decisions to off set The Uncle Tom. We have a new mind set the struggle continues we have the free ex slaves and the abolitionist movement still in the struggle for change against the imperious. We as Americans in The USA need to protect Obama and Eric Holder from the scum bags that want imperialism to rule Wake up and smell the coffee.The trickery and the deception of the Constitution and all of the amendments between the Senate and the Congress,money talks and Bull s**t walks. Perhaps The good citizens of the USA need to study THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE..Look I don’t have a Ph.D or a H.S.D. but (step in Fetcha ) is still on the scene with your intellectual facade dancing with the Stars. If you are not with Obama then you are in the camp of the enemy
The Ballot or the Bullet. We don’t want the Bullet so let us all Americans get the people to the Ballot and make your mark for our future with President Obama and The Queen Michelle. We have come a long way Baby we can’t turn around now.
Amazing Grace.Can I get an Amen. We can do better. I love America but the change must be made. Power to the people. .Right on.
I don’t think we owe them an apology, for what, what have they proven, that the Bush error policy’s would have all of us starving, out of work an blaming each other, these guys all they do is sit back an criticize, tell us what you guy would have did different, an would the repub’s have let your ideas or policy’s pass, or is it just a bunch of BS that sound good, probably the later, i get so sick an tired of you clowns sitting back talking about what President Obama should have done an what you would have done like if what you would have done the repub’s would have voted your ideas into law, why dont one of you clowns run an quit passing judgment on someone with the nuts to run an make it, its easy to judge sunday football on monday night, bunch of wanna be sean hannity’s, tell us how much they paying you guys, somebody have to be paying you guy because your to smart to be saying some of the things you comming up with, Tavis once said about Bush 1st term on the TJMS, that he “GW” was still riding the waves of the good years of Bill Clinton, but now this dont apply for President Obama following GWB, he talking out both side of his mouth, an cornel west until you learn to comb your hair nobodys gonna vote for you anyway, lol
The book: Why Are Afo-Americans Afraid To Take Off The Blinders, will be released in Mid August, it will give you some insight as to why and will answer alot of your questions.
We? Mr Watkins, you may apologize if you want to. I see no need to apologize, nor even acknowledge three people, yourself included, who are the most divisive since Nixon got elected, running on a “law and order,” campaign.
As much as I enjoy reading your columns and love listening to Cornell and Tavis I don’t think an apology is do.
I hope that you guys are not forgetting President Obama inherited this mess from several presidents before him is the reason our country is in the current awful condition.
President Regan: eliminating the unions started the black communities to crumble which eliminated the blue collar workers in the factories – we were the first usually to lose our jobs.
President Clinton: even though he was a great president (I thought personally), he initiated NAFIA – I’m sure if he could have forseen our companies here in the USA close their doors on the American workers and move their companies/jobs to foriegn countries I’m sure he would not have signed that bill.
President Bush-Cheney: almost total destruction of the United States – GREED, GREED, POLITICAL GREED.
President Obama can not nor would he be able to actually address poverty just in the black community as a whole (it would be political suicide) especially if he is hoping for a second term in office. This is the responsibility of our black community (black leaders, black ministers, wealthy blacks and our black intellects with voices have all become so complacent). Our black forefathers/mothers did not set back and wait for hand-outs they acted upon it, just as they taught the present day groups who come together to enforce changes in their communities.
I feel a large majority of our black communties have lost self pride in themselves. We as a people have allowed the system to really destroy our families (favorite statement, “Let the System Work!”). Our young black men only see before them prison or death at an early age because the educational system have failed them (to be truthful, they failed themselves because the opportunity is readily there for them).
Looking at our next generations, in order to equip these children for tomorrow and take the communities (black, white, latino, etc.) out of poverty and bring back self pride; as much as I once hated it, bring back the draft at least they would learn a trade instead of further depleting the government on SSI and I’m sure would reduce crime. I feel upon the completion of high school if the child is not prepared for higher education they would have to enter into the armed forces.
Our black community need to take a stand and our black leaders should help President Obama secure his legacy as a president instead of destroying it!
I don’t owe them anything. I agreed with them in the first place. I never thought their personal issue with Obama got in the way of criticting his administration. Obama’s position was always going to conflict with West and Smiley or even Belanfonte’s positions on dealing with society’s ills.
we are so quick to chase down, and sit down with a band wagon of obama maybe haters. SMH. yes they were right on with the poverty conversation , but obama has n o t h i n g to do with whats goin on, somethin marvin gaye sanged about years ago. lets be clear people whom forgotten man is just that, man . no man i mean none walkin this earth as i type will make this matter on joblessness and fading money fix this downward spiral were goin thru . this is waaay off the map of the earth. things are gonna be different in these next 10 years and we had best prepare for it. so no matter who the president is this poor season were experiencin is way to big for man to fix. so no! im NOT gonna say beavis and butthead was right when it comes to obama”
Apology for what? I didn’t need Tavis or West to inform me of poverty in this country. We weren’t brought to this country to share in the wealth. How many slaves you know were paid wages for their work? Poverty has always been a part of our struggle. If you want to blame this administration for the disparity of wealth in this country, then the stupidity running amok among some of these academic nuts is even greater than I realized. By the way, what programs has Tavis or West instituted to help eradicate the stigma of poverty in this country? More than anything both are p****d because of a lack of invites to the White House. Both belong in the same group as an Allen West, Clarence Thomas, Alan Keys, and you Dr. Boyce Watkins.
Look! We all are aware of the poverty issue here in America.We don’t need Tavis and Cornell to tell us these things.So why should we apologize to them?If you think that an apology is owed to them,then YOU do it.I ain’t apologizing JACK!It’s so easy to point the finger or lay the responsibility on the President when we should be the ones who bring ourselves out of this mess.If you and all who support Tavis and Cornell and is displeased with the President’s performance,then go and vote for Mitt Romney and see what a great job he’ll do with the country,and then you Dr. Boyce and Tavis and Cornell get back to us and give your evalution.I would love to hear what you’ll have to say then.So in the meantime you and all the folks who are dissatisfied with the President get out there in the trenches like Rev. Al Sharpton and fight instead of relying on the US government to resolve our problems.Peace.
SMILEY and WEST have been on the SCENE long before OBAMA came along. WHAT HAVE THEY DONE FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY….BUT TALK!!! SMILeY TALKS TOO MUCH AND WEST LOVES STAYING IN HIS IVORY TOWER. BOYCE IS A FOLLOWER!
One of the characteristics of people totally seduced by “spiritual wickedness in high places” is right cortical hemispherical dominance—emotions always trump critical thinking. Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West deserve credit for bringing attention to the devastating impact of poverty on nearly 50 million Americans. Perhaps something similar to the “Poor Peoples Campaign” Dr. King was organizing when he was assassinated should be considered.
Obamaphiles will blame Bush until they turn white. The real issue is at best Obama’s misdirected focus (expanding wars, etc.); at worse his crass ineptitude.
“War is an enemy of the poor.” – Dr. King
Is this the solutions to the most worst problem the U.S. ever created. The topic on hand is the high poverty rate in the country, but the American people simply just don’t care or just turn a blind eye away from the problem. Its a d**n shame when you got the Citizens, the Congress, and the President all completely ignore the poor which I am part of and working endlessly to get out of something that I DIDN’T CHOOSE TO BE IN THE FIRST PLACE!You get people on here rambling about useless BS and offering nothing to end this man made problem.There are many solutions to this but nobody ever listen. One solution is to rid this country of the people who can end this problem but simply don’t (Republicans and Democrats) .Another solution is to offer more initiative that would put young Americans ages 16 to 29, this initiative would give employers a chance to get employees while the Federal Government send out payments to those who are in the program. It can work because the city I’m living in now did just what I described above. The program here was known as the Spring Training Workforce program, the City’s mayor initiative, funded by the Federal Government.The program was for the young citizens here ages 16 to 21.And the program lasted for about four to six months after that many jobs employers could hire those in the program full time permanently at the wage the job pays. If the President and Congress follow the example above it would solve some of the poverty problem but they DON’T CARE ABOUT US AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL!!! And I’m sure that the American people probably feel the same way as the lying politicians does all the time the difference is one can end the problem and the other one only make it worser than it already is. What a cold hearted nation! Great Nation my a*s!
Mr. Boyce, poverty is a systemic problem that is getting worst as a result of things mentioned in the first paragraph of this article(i.e., globilization, outsourcing, dimiished union power, etc.). Over the last 30+ years our communities have been devasted as a result of the aforementioned problems. In addition, we don’t even control the economy of our communities. We desperately need solutions that create African American businesses and jobs. Do you, Mr. Smiley or Mr. West have solutions to our problems besides criticism of Barack Obama? If so, let’s get them in the public domain for implementation. By the way, globilization, outsourcing, union busting significantly benefits the 1% not the 99%. The 1% controls the nation’s economy and government. With regard to poverty, I think your issue is with the 1% and the the people they have hired in Congress that do their dirty work. I am tired of hearing people say that, “Barack Obama is not doing enough to solve our problems”. We need to solve our problems using our own power (consumer, political, intellectual, spiritual, etc.).
We Should Put Poverty On The Agenda, We Should Put President Obama, Back Into The White House, We Know What Happen From 2008—2010. 2010 Was The Mid Term Election, The President Did Not Win The Mid Term Election, The Momentum Was Not There, We Needed Help From The President Then, Back In 2008, Because The President Stopped The Major Institution’s From Collasping, This Took The Whole 2 Year’s From2008—To 2010, To Set Us On The Road To Recovery, And He Did, But He Lost The 2010 Election, Because Most Of Us Was Upset, Because He Did Not Get To Us, That’s Where The Problem Is, He Need More Time, To Get To Us, And We Must Put Poverty On The Agenda. He Need’s 25 Senatorial Seat’s To Gain Control, Because The Republican’s Has It Right Now, And They Are Blocking Everything That He Is Trying To Do. Please Give The President More Time, Vote For Him, Help Him To Get Control Of The Senate Majority, And Please Put Our Most Pressing Concern’s On The Agenda, We Just Can’t Stop Now, We Only Have Less Than 4 Month’s To Go. The Point’s Mr. Smiley, And Dr. West Has Made, Is Very Important, And Critical To Our Survival. I Do Truly Beleive That President Obama, Would Do Better By Us, And America, Than Mr. MITT ROMNEY.The President’s Vision For America Is This, 1. Education, 2. Energy., 3., Innovation, 4., Infrastructure., 5. And A Tax Code Focused On American Job Creation, 6., And Balance Deficit Reduction. This Is The True Plan, That The President Intend’s To Pursue In His Second Term. Every thing That We Have Is On The Line, Please Let’s Move Forward.
Tavis,Cornel where is the outrage the super PACs can give all this money to stop one man so they can keep their money. it wouldn’t be any poverty if these super PACs would help people,schools we the people have made you rich your greed has made you blind to what’s real
Sadly, West, Smiley and Watkins are so filled with their own self-proclaimed versions as “leaders” in the Black community and their immense hatred of President Obama, they are rendered inconsequential. West believes he fools the audience by calling everyone “brother” or “sister” and claiming an allegiance to God. The hateful nature of his tirade against President Barack Obama and Melissa Perry shows him for the contradictory clown he really is. He (Larry) along with his supporting cast of Curly and Mo (Smiley and Watkins) are most angry that President Obama does not acknowledged them as “black leaders” and will not call them to the white house to discuss the state of “negro” affairs. The first snub was – how dare he (Obama) not invite them – the super negroaches – to the inauguration? Doesn’t he know who they are?
The theatrical display of the poverty tour that West and Smiley put on complete with the props and an array of clowns in various urban cities should have captured an academy award. It was the reincarnation of Birth of a Nation. The truth is as I deal with poverty in the black community everyday is that President Obama can drop ship thousands of jobs in urban communities throughout the United States and the majority of black citizens in these concentrated pockets of poverty would not be equipped to be hired, unless they are positions for unskilled labor. And, these type jobs geared for the underemployed do not lift communities out of poverty.
I would have been more impressed if Smiley and West had gone to every underperforming school in urban cities and met with superintendents, school boards and parents to turn around our high school dropout pandemic. For example, look at the graduation rates in most schools in our communities. Did you know one high school in Atlanta has a graduation rate of 7% – yes 7%. The majority of high schools in urban metro Atlanta have graduation rates under 60%, guaranteeing the cycle of poverty in our community. It is the same in many black communities across this county. Is that President Obama’s fault too? Change always starts with local leadership and local politics.
While we are exploring real issues in impoverished Black communities, let’s take a look at black youth in the custody of departments of juvenile justice across this country. Their incarceration rates are more than 60%. Then follow their path on into the adult system. Many are unable to get decent jobs because of felonies on their records and returning back to the community with no marketable skills.
Why are we so poor? The money blacks are spending on the following may have an impact: bail bonding, cigarettes, drugs, rental furniture, hair weave, manicures/pedicures, $200+ tennis shoes, other bling objects, designer apparel, tattoos, not to mention burglar bars and other security system to protect us from each other (having had my home burglarized 4 times in two years)etc.
The foisted leadership in the black community is dismal, at best. Until we have a different mindset and stop following mental midgets who are more concerned with self-serving turf p*****g and being seen as “leaders” than having a plan, then we will remain the poorest race on the planet.
Apologize to West and Smiley? You have lost your “in the dark, without a clue” mind!
We don’t owe either of those maniacs anything or you either Boyce.
The poor will always be among us. Helping the poor to live in dignity should be the goal.
Brother Boycve, you mean you and others had to get some information from this d**n Jew before you woule listen to Carnel and Tavis about poverty? Don’t y”all know that there are even many in the lower middle class that are in poverty, in addition to the people listed in the REAL poor category. And we all should have been getting on the president’s case about speaking out on poverty, in addition to the middle clase. And we certainly don’t need and of these anti-Jesus Jews, who are all rich, or far well off than we blacks, to tell us ANYTHING, because they really don’t care about anyone other than themselves, first and foremost. And they are part of the reason why blacks are being “bloodsucked” of what we are able to get hold of, in many cases. They even did a “bloodsuck” job on Michael Jackson, like “leeches,” as he called them, to clean him out before he died. And while he made millions, they made far, far, far more than he did, off of his talent. And whenever the words “black reparations” ever comes up, Jews are totally opposed to it, because they would be compelled to do some paying out too, siince they made money from slavery. So speak to poverty more, Brother Boyce, but leave the Jews out. — Rev. George Brooks
I think Cornell West and Tavis Smiley Would have made more of a positive impact if they Would have traveled around the country to educate and register the poor. This atleast would have allowed the POOR to make their own decisions. EDUCATE AND REGISTER!!!!
I don’t think we owe Cornell West or Tavis Smiley an apology. If anything they owe all Black people an apology for their divisive ways.
It is obvious that their arguments are laced with personal feelings.
Do we not remember Mitch McConnell standing in front of the cameras and stating with pride we are going to spend the next 3 years making sure Obama will not be reelected. They have voted down anything that would not only help Blacks but all Americans.
Don’t wait on that apology from this registered voter!!!!!
The deal is easy. I vote for you. You do for me. If you are doing then I will point that out to you; directly, through my congressmen (NJ) or on websites such as this.
My son lost both his construction business and his mortgage brokerage business as a result of the housing crises. Obama gave the banks billions in bailout. Citibank reduced my son’s line of credit from $500, 000 to $250, 000 and he paid that off they reduced his line of credit to zero. He once had 20 full time workers which included my other two sons. They are all now unemployed or underemployed. Why didn’t Geithner and Obama insist that the banks continue to use bailout money to give people mortgages? That would be a policy that would help unemployment. reson I will
Sad, just sad. All you folks care about is the president being re-elected. Tavis and West do have a platform and is actively working with Feeding America! Are any of you helping others? Single mothers and fathers, the elderly, our veterans. Most of you are so shallow! I would rather talk to children. They care more about our community and others than you do! Boyce, these folks are not intellectually capable of processing your blog. Maybe they will get it once they start to be affected by poverty! WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!
Marc I agree…our goal should be to help the poor live in dignity.
I would advise those who are making excuses for our first black president to research where blacks were socially and economically prior to 1973. You will discover that LBJ, JfK, Nixon, Ford, Carter and to a lesser extent, Ronald. This, our first black president, did not mention jobs his first three years and jobs was the a big part of supporting him..
WE ARE SO SORRY FELLAS!! (Meanwhile blacks are still in poverty). WE APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BELIEVING THE GREAT WEST AND SMILEY THEY ARE SURELY NOT HATERS. (Meanwhile blacks are still in poverty). WHO really cares, Obama is not our problem. WE ARE OUR PROBLEM. I work with an organization designed to help African Americans build financial security. The stories I hear, the waste of money I see. Go look in some of the ghettos. DO you see poverty? Nope I see Jordans and Bling and FOOLERY!! We need to stop living in the moment and be prepared for hard times. Stop living above already subpar means. Alot of folk I deal with were not raised to live but merely survive. This mentality we have Obama can’t fix this! WTH is wrong with ppl!!
I have read some of the replies and most of them have brought up great points. Poverty, high employment, unequal educational resources and opportunities, racial microaggressions, institutionalized racism, White privilege, civil rights, multiple thousands of black/brown brothers and sisters incarcerated for nonviolent crimes (i.e. possession/distribution of marijuana) are all issues that President could have addressed WITHOUT the Republican assistance (He heads the Executve branch and has a thing called an executive pardon that he could have done more with when the Republican intentionally stalled his attempts) I think he relies more on his counsel (who are out of touch with the real world and our issues that prevent us from the “The American Dream” It is like he doesn’t want to be viewed as “the President that made a point to address, enact, and implement national policies that assist minorities” I have a problem with that for several reasons: First, HE IS PART BLACK-if he doesn’t utilize his position to do something for Blacks, Browns, and Native Americans, WHO WILL? If WE DON’T speak out and demand these changes from our President, WHY VOTE? just to say “I voted for a black man for President. We didn’t really combat Bust with all of his shananagans and look where it got us? Don’t you understand that by you NOT critiquing Obama’s policies and lack of action for communities of color, YOU ARE DOING HIM AND US A DISSERVICE? Just because he looks closer to us than prior Presidents DOES NOT AND SHOULD make him exempt? He has been given this exemption for almost 3 years-when will you step up, step out, and collectively stand up for our rights, liberties, and piece of the “Apple Pie?”
To: Kyshon
Thank you and many who don’t know should know a young mind such as yours can see deep
“Lynn
July 23, 2012 at 7:41 pmYou attack Dr. Boyce as a person, but you (and most of the other commenters) do nothing to address the valid points he made about poverty. In so doing, you are using the very same tactics against him that he rightly notes has been repeatedly used against West and Smiley: Avoid the pressing issues of the community and instead focus on the personal motives of those who point them out. Hence your post. “Boyce is doing this because he sees the writing on the wall as a professor…blah blah blah.” At the end of the day, by following the same tired tactic, all you are doing is sidestepping the real issues, and proving Dr. Boyce right (NOT REALLY)”
Denmark and some others, I am in TOTAL agreement with you!!
If the POTUS doesn’t “stay in his place” as a black man, Congress will block everything he TRIES to do to help the economy … let alone help black folks.
I may be late to THIS party with Dr. Boyce’s writings but I ain’t late to the white HATERS in America, so maybe I missed all those comments about that UNBROKEN STRING of white, wealthy male presidents who didn’t give a D*MN about black poverty or black people in particular and never ONCE tried to force corporations- large or small – to hire more black folks across the nation so we didn’t have to work 2-3 minimum wage jobs just to survive in the USA.
No, we don’t owe Tavist or West an apology since all they are doing is getting additional TV FACETIME to line their own d*amn pockets. There are few if any sincere black leaders who don’t think that President Obama OWES them MORE consideration simply because of his frikkin pigment. Black unemployment has ALWAYS been double that of the dominant culture but all of a sudden THIS president is supposed to write an executive order that will FORCE white businesses to hire AND RETAIN more blacks because of “affirmative action”…smdh.
You KNEEgros need to EVOLVE past “Obama needs to do _______ just cause he black too”….educate yourselves on the political process and WHITE American history in general and you MIGHT come to the conclusion that this is as good as it is going to get for black folks. “Last hire; first fired” is STILL in effect in this country, bunch of azzclowns, and having a black POTUS doesn’t change a thing.
I do not agree with an apology. It is not this present administrations fault what is going on and what I have witnessed is West and Smiley beating up on our President like as if the two of them have a solution….
They need to apologize to President Obama
I agree with Radiah!! Povery has been rising in this country for decades, yet Smiley, West and you, Watkins now want to blame President Obama. You guys need to get a life and offer some real solutions. After all, you think you have all the answers and claim to spoeak for all African Americans. You do not!! Why didn’t you criticize all the other Presidents who did nothing about poverty in America, not just the Black community!!
These black men are straight cowards! I lost respect for West and Smiley. I thought they were so deep brothers until we got ourselves a black president and all h**l broke loose! They didn’t open their mouths or did any actions when African Americans were raped by Bush and his Klan! Divide and conquer is their motivation. This poverty situation was created by Bush and now these NEGROES are right with the GOP in destroying our president.
What have these clowns done to eradicate poverty besides finger point. We are all our brothers keeper. Tavis has a big chip on his shoulder & attitude to go with it. Personal vendetta against POTUS. Tavis needs to grow up & quit pouting!
I will start listening to Cornell when he stops crawling out from between that white woman’s legs long enough to criticize a black man who prefers a little color. As for Boyce and Tavis: Both of them are jealous wanna be a**holes.
Watkins,
This is getting tired and out of hand. We get your message. Are you getting paid for this now or is that something you hope for in the future? Oh that’s right; of course, Black on Black divisiveness has its own rewards.
First of all, your use of statistics is hilarious. For an educated person, Professor you should know that: “For every complex problem there is a simple solution, and it is wrong!”
Stop trying to pretend that President Obama is the cause – or should have been the solution to the complex inherited problem of poverty; or that he, because he is a person of color, should have fixed it during his four years in office. Everyone knows the man is the President of the United States and not of the Black community alone. NO THINKING PERSON EXPECTED THAT HE WOULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND OR PERFORM A SECRET RITUAL AND DO AWAY WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS OF RACISM AND its RELATED FORMS OF OPPRESSION!
And yes, you self hating, pretenders, we can and will respect our President and abhor those who jump on the enemies’ band wagon. Some of us were trained to believe that OUR ENEMIES ENEMY IS OUR FRIEND! You really are giving aid and comfort to those who loathe and despise us. Do you not realize the implications of the threats, and openly racist attacks this Presidential family unlike any other under daily. They are attacks on all of us persons of African Ancestry, Black folk, people of color if you will! (By the way, speaking of aid, the “Kool Aid” reference has seen its day).
How dare you presume to take a position of authority in regards to the topic of poverty, placing yourself, West and Smiley above others who are capable of dissecting facts. Many of us have earned the right to speak as we have walked the walk and continue to do the work in various ways on various levels. Apologize? As a Pan African activist and a scholar , I personally have the right to be offended by the arrogance implied in this statement, your article and others of this ilk having spent my years in the streets, in the struggle, in movements in various parts of the country. This is not the time for bashing President Obama. Give it up Boyce Watkins. You made your point and your bed which you’ll have to lie in one day.
And please stop playing Blacker Than Thou one minute and Not Black Enough the next. We need to be about Harmony, cultural education, and preserving our heritage, in order to prevent and heal some of the tragic problems your blog seems to get off on. The incredible rate of violence amongst our youth, and against women for instance! Enough is Enough. We are looking forward, We do not need to sit bemoan our tragic situation day after day We are not seeking empowerment from you, and we will reelect President Obama.
I end with this African proverb: “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you”.
I am not apologizing. I have not said much about them if anything. Anyway…..
We have a right to our own opinions but not our own facts. One may not agree with the opinions of Dr. Cornel West, Tavis Smiley or Dr. Boyce Watkins, but they must recognize the facts. Let me share a few things.
I remember seeing Dr. West on the Phil Donahue Show during the mid ‘90s with Sister Souljah and other rappers. He has written Race Matters (1993), The Cornel West Reader (1999), Democracy Matters (2004) and numerous other books.
Tavis Smiley was the host of BET Tonight (1998-2001). He is the author of Hard Left (1996), The Best of Tavis Smiley on the Tom Joyner Morning Show (1998), and Doing What’s Right (2000) and the editor of The Covenant with Black America (2006).
Dr. Watkins has written a few books too.
I say these things because many have many have basically said that these two (Smiley and West) were never this vocal before Mr. Obama became president. Some have wondered why they weren’t vocal earlier. They have been writing and speaking up for a long time-before the 2000 Election. Go to Google and YouTube.
Now, I realize it is not always what one says but how they say it. I will not say that I agree with everything that the president has said or done. I will not say that I have agreed with everything they (Smiley and West) have said or how they said them. However, I think that some (really many) need to do a little research before commenting.
One, how much do people really think the pres. can do in three years. With the hate level the highest its been in 50 years. Did we forget who the enemy really is. We need to stay on the positive side of all of this. Last but not least what can we do without health. God knows what he’s doing.
Africans Are Endowed With All Of The Natural Resources, Diamonds, Gold, Silver, Cobalt, Tin, Iron, Oil, Agriculture, Copper, And Numerous Others To Be Considered The Wealthiest Land On Earth.
Why Then Do We Have Poverty In Our Communities Worldwide? We Are Our Own Greatest Enemy. Capitalism Has Created The Illusion Of Scarecity, Thus Confusion And Caos.
What Does This Have To Do With Our Communities Inn America You Might Ask? Everything. Everything, I Answer.
We Remained Viewed As Chatell, Property, Of Other Nations That Sought Our Approval To Become Nations In The First Place.
Many Organizations Are Currently In Place To Assist To Declare Or Redeclare Our Nation Under The Headship Of Almighty God, Allah, ANU To Eradicate All Ills That Confront Our Communities In The USA, AFRICA, And Other Countries Of The Earth.
We Are That Nation That Was Ordained By Our Creator To Teach All Other Nations Of The Earth. Let Us Awaken From Our Sleep And Link Our Fingers And Minds Together To Salvage Our Nation.
Barack Obama Is A Very Special Son That Has Been Sent To Us By The Almighty. The Son Of An African And A Kansas White Woman. Who But The Almighty Foreknew That He Would Be Placed In The Seat Of POTUS? Let Us ReElect Him To Finish The Work He Is Tasked To Do..
Many Have Worked To Discredit Him, Speak Evil, Condemn, Scrutnize, Question, Disrespect, Yet, Against All Of These Odds He Remains Diligent.
Dr. Watkins, Taves Smiley, Dr. Cornel West, Thank You For Highlighting The Poverty In America To Which We All Contribute. However, Nothing That You Porport Has Aided In A Solution. Let Us Bring The Spirit Of Resolve To All Issues, From Death, To Poverty, To Prosperity, To Good Health, As A Nation Onder One Voice.
Grace, Love, Peace, Blessings To All
Eternal Love To Humanity,
Vanburen Lewis, Jr.
Admin
Assoc African Americans For Liberia
whatever
The puppet show will continue ..Obama or Romney. There’s No need to kill the messengers for shining light on the mess we are in as a people ..
Of course, West & Smiley should be sounding “The Alarm!” Most of our People are asleep! Was’nt Mr. Obama’s cred. that he was a Community Organizer in Chicago—well, who exactly did he organize…”The Crypts?” Obama’s legacy where he admittedly served is shameful—his legacy as President is equally shameful! Oh, and don’t call Revs. Jackson or Sharpton; they are doing just fine—thank you, receiving Millions yearly respectively, from the Government for keeping our people on the Welfare Plantation! (No Mega-Churches Required.) Awaken my People, our power is to opt-out of this un-Godly system. Remember Dr. King? “Sit-This-Election-Out!” Black-America will never be taken for granted again! Ever.
@ Teri well said and great comments.Black Folks refuse to see the truth.
Has anyone even considered that for two years BEFORE Obama was elected President (2006), that the Democrats actually enjoyed a true majority in BOTH the Congress AND the Senate? As well as after he was elected in 2008?
While he has made some significant strides in a few areas, President Obama has missed major opportunities to address the poverty issues. This is simply fact. If Bush and Cheney were able to have existing laws changed to favor oil companies and other corporastions, while also jamming almost every draconian law that violates our personal freedoms down our throats during their tenures, in the face of intense Democratic opposition, you mean that our current President can’t fully pursue his agendas?
C’mon man. I side with Tavis and Cornell on this poverty issue. The information that they’ve brought forth during their tour is indisputable imho.
President Obama promised to raise the national minimum wage to $9.50 if he were elected. He also promised that the “toxic assets” spawned by the housing fiasco would be absorbed. NADA. You can keep spewing this “what are YOU doing” nonsense. The people are doing their part. Worker productivity in the USA is at an all time high, and wages remain frozen. Obama’s tacit support of these free trade agreements abroad don’t help matters either.