Dr. Boyce: Why This Election Makes Me Sad and Sick
by Dr. Boyce Watkins
As we approach the 2012 presidential election, I quietly ask myself: Regardless of who is elected, is black unemployment going to dip below 10% over the next four years? Is the prison industrial complex going to get any smaller? Are black teens going to continue to die from guns being made available on every corner in our communities?
Then, I realize that when we fight to keep “our guy” in office, we’re kind of like prostitutes trying to keep their pimp out of jail. The hookers know that the pimp isn’t going to make their lives any better, but his incarceration might possibly make it worse.
I would not go to the extreme of agreeing with WEB Dubois, who once said that he was not going to vote, since neither party cares very much for the African American community. But I am certainly in favor of African Americans being as selfish as every politician in Washington who simply does what’s best for him or her, without any regard whatsoever for the needs of the African American community. The fact is that you should care about them about as much as they care about you, end of story.
There is nothing wrong with supporting third party candidates, since most of us can agree that the two party system simply isn’t working. What offends me most is the determination with which the Democratic Party relies on fear and seeks to undermine individual freedom when it comes to how we vote. The fear is driven by reminding you that if you don’t give them your vote, horrible things are going to happen to you. Their subjugation of freedom comes from the fact that they are seriously threatened by the notion of anyone telling black people to think for themselves. They are accustomed to doing the thinking for us.
I’ll admit that, while I like Barack Obama and hope that he wins the election, I find myself unable to be as excited about this election as some of my friends. In fact, it’s downright depressing. I’m sad to look around me and see a world where anyone who doesn’t want to line up and have Barack Obama’s baby is somehow defined to be a traitor. It is also a world where anyone who tells our politicians to help battle against the diseases of poverty, violence, inequality and mass incarceration is told that they are peeing on the Negro Juneteenth Political Parade. No one wants to hear about black people who are suffering, since we’ve been trained to believe that a certain segment of our community just doesn’t deserve any better.
I am firmly against the consumption of alcohol, but this election is driving me to drink. To know that your vote isn’t going to have much of an impact on those you love is, admittedly, downright devastating. Perhaps it’s time that we demand something more, for our politicians have us bamboozled.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. He is also the creator of the Building Outstanding Men and Boys Family Empowerment Series. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
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“Great levels of self-hate, this one has.”
~Yoda
Oh…. we will all be depressed and crying if ROMNEY wins cause he will mess up so much that it will be sickening. At least Pres. Obama is trying to help the Middle Class, the students, the unemployed, etc. ROMNEY IS THE POSTER BOY FOR THE ONE PERCENT. Right now he is claiming he will “create millions of jobs”….but actually he is getting rich from BAIN CAPITAL CO. shipping jobs overseas. Pres. Obama is a much better President. If there is something we want done….Black people need to do what it takes…just like the Jews, the Gays, the Latinos…and get themselves together and push their CONCERNS. Part of the problem is US. Pres. Obama can do so much, but our communities, leaders, churches, etc. have to step up too.
Being sick over politics is a “pre-existing condition” — because BUSH & CHENEY are the ones who helped wipe out millions of jobs…and ROMNEY was involved in shipping them to China.
ROMNEY and his vulture capital buddies got filthy rich off the Economic Crisis and the auto bail-out. This may explain why he hides his tax records.
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/10/18/greg_palast_mitt_romneys_bailout_bonanza
And now he wants to CUT THE FUNDS for school kids lunches, for schools, for food stamps, for Planned Parenthood, etc.
Every Black person in this country should vote for President Obama in order to make things better for us and our children. Dr Watkins, there are simple and verifiable answers to the questions you ask yourself. Is the prison industrial complex going to get any smaller? The answer is that President Obama has changed sentencing guidelines to ensure that defendants of all races receive sentences that do not discriminate against blacks as much as under Bush. I can assure you that a Romney DOJ will reinstate those discriminatory guidelines that Reagan put in place and which started the mass incarceration of blacks in 1980 and has continued ever since. Are black teens going to continue to die from guns being made available on every corner in our communities? President Obama will work to enact sensible gun control. Romney ewill not. As for Black unemployment, you of all people should know that Blacks have always done much better economically under Democratic administrations than under Republicans. You are a Finance Professor. How come you dont know this? Do you want me to bring the figures to prove my point? Why am I schooling you in your field of expertize? Under Obama the black-white disparity in unemployment was slightly smaller than under Bush. And the unemployment numbers for all, black and white, are going down under President Obama even as we speak. Your depression and sadness about the election is not rooted in a calm analysis but in a virulent anti-Obama sentiment that have you calling our President ‘a pimp’. Get your facts straight sir. You are wrong.
Do you really expect Mr. President to say that he is working overtime for the black community? He would surely lose the election by showing favortism. He is to work for the entire country not just blacks. I’m so sick of people acting like he us suppose to do everything for blacks only. He has been busting his but for lower and middle class America and trying to keep in place things that elevate”our” community without shouting it from the mountain top. The race card is old as methusa! Let the man work hard for those less fortunate which in many instances is “us”!
Does anyone know who the Cabal is?! Ryan outright said that THEY only need 4 more years to do “what THEY gotta do”!
My 8 year old who has a gift for “seeing” say “out the blue” that if Romney wins black people will suffer more than they are now. I was surprised because I really discussed very little of this “weird” campaign. I asked him how he knows that, he said, “Because I saw it.”
He says he sees a lot of stuff but that adults never listen to children because they want to think they are always right and don’t admit their mistakes.
I believe him. Not because he’s my son, but because that’s wisdom speaking.
Makes people WONDER why black children are in danger…they are the light bearers. We just have to listen.
Obama is steadily morphing into Bush. I can’t imagine Romney being any worse.. and Obama certainly is not any better than Romney. I cannot understand why the Doctor hopes Obama will win. Is it a black thing?
Among other things since becoming president, Barack Obama has:
Signed the NDAA into law – making it legal to assassinate Americans
Initiated, and personally oversees a ‘Secret Kill List’.
Waged war on Libya without congressional approval.
Started a covert, drone war in Yemen.
Escalated the proxy war in Somalia.
Escalated the CIA drone war in Pakistan.
Maintained a presence in Iraq even after “ending” the war.
Sharply escalated the war in Afghanistan.
Secretly deployed US special forces to 75 countries.
Signed an agreement for 7 military bases in Colombia.
Defended body scans and pat-downs at airports.
Signed the Patriot Act extension into law.
Deported a modern-record 1.5 million immigrants.
Continued Bush’s rendition program.
Michelle, no one has said anything on this blog more true and insightful than you. You have put it in a nutshell. President Obama is a very “wise” man. He is playing the game the way it needs to be played in order to win. For instance, look at the blatant racism being directed toward HIM. He is smart in not playing the justifiable “race card”. It’s not that he doesn’t know its racism, but he refuses to dignify it with a response no matter how much they push him. They’re just waiting for him to respond to the racism so they can use it to hang him.
I love Dr. Watkins but I’m disappointed with this blog, especially with his insensitive “pimp/prostitute” analogy. He should apologize.
All people can ask but Blacks don’t receive. Most Blacks pay for their cars in 4 years. The checks for the Black vote just keep bouncing even with Black representation. Send $5.00 more please for insufficient funds.
Visit many of the primary and high schools and you will see why we are behind. Please require parent education.
I was raised in the Black Democratic camp of Washington DC and spent my youngers years voting Democratic until one day I was thrusted out of it political influence to start paying more attention to the people that was holding various offices and WHAT they were doing while they held those offices. Over time I began to see that many of our elected officials both Black and white, Democartes and Republicans, Federal and State were involved in corrupted practices as a result of the monies that was generated by corporation and “Special Interests” groups. I watch politicans who was charged and convicted of wrong doings and was still able to get elected to public office, politicans who destroyed the dignity of their elected offices and was still able to hold on to that office even after they was held responsible for the wrongdoing. I also became aware of how important a person vote is to the political process and what games that the political parties will play in order to maintain the collected vote for their party, administration or position. It is the VOTE that allows corrupt politicans to maintain their offices. It is the VOTE that allows criminally convicted politicans to keep getting elected to public office. IT is about “POWER” and rest assure that many of the politicans do not care about the American people except when it comes to reelecting them for public office. I lived in the Nations’ capitol for many years and while there I learned how important that the vote is: It is the singlemost power we Americans have that is ours that can be used to keep corruption and corrupt individuals out of our public offices.
Boyce, were you sad and sick before President Obama took office? These issues are not new. You seem as though you literally hate President Obama. The man is trying but we are going to have to do more for ourselves and not rely on any government.
Good comment C. Marshall.
To Poster: Ofpleiadian Originaan (cal). Please listen to your son. It is the voice of prophecy. Your son is correct. adult need to listen to children because God speaks to them. I also have that gift.
I know Dr. Boyce wants us to become more divergent thinkers and thats great but the solution lies within us as a people. If Romney wins this election Will the statistics Dr. Boyce quoted remain, decrease or increase? A leader with an elitism attitude widens the division we already have in this country among class, race and gender. Just a thought.
Boyce, after watching you disrespect President Obama for over a year now, stop the charade with your statement that you hope President Obama wins in the next election.
Why the sudden change..could it be you’re now an outcast from in the Black community like West and Tavis? Now you realize without Black support you cannot make a profit so you want to support Obama now!
Black people should never forgive you for what you tried to do to the first black President of the United States, win or lose in the next election. BOYCOTT BOYCE WATKINS!!!!!
What has president Obama ever done for u to make u hate Boyce ,Tavis& cornel.they’ve probably done more for u than this president who u barely even know other than your idol worshiping fascination over him
@Mackj
Wake up fool, Boyce is no different than Tavis or West. I don’t hate Boyce, just exposing his black a*s. Here is the answer to your question:
In the spring of 2008, Watkins formed an online protest through YourBlackWorld.com in response to Fox News criticism of Senator Barack Obama and Pastor Jeremiah Wright, Watkins asked his supporters to write to Bill O’Reilly’s corporate sponsors and complain about O’Reilly’s behavior.
Watkins’ protest led O’Reilly to spend a week during May 2008 calling for Watkins to be fired. He also sent reporters to question the Chancellor of Syracuse University, Nancy Cantor, and ask her why she had not challenged Watkins for his words.
In his comments, O’Reilly claimed that Watkins accused him of wanting to lynch Michelle Obama, the wife of then Senator Barack Obama and that he was “smearing the good name of Syracuse University by spreading these kinds of lies”.
Keith Olbermann, host of “Count Down with Keith Olbermann” came to Watkins’ defense, stating that O’Reilly did in fact joke about lynching Michelle Obama. He also mentioned that O’Reilly’s lash at Watkins stemmed from his protest against O’Reilly’s corporate sponsors. Others, such as Rev.Jesse Jackson backed Watkins as well, with Rev. Jackson inviting Watkins onto his show over 15 times in 2008.
(This is what Boyce wrote on Tuesday, Sept. 25th, 2012.)
Title: Dr. Boyce: Michelle Obama Speaks on Civil Rights at the CBC, But Was She Missing Something?
This what Boyce said in that piece: “I love First Lady Michelle Obama and I almost lost my job over her. When Bill O’reilly joked about lynching her during the 2008 campaign, I had a head-to-head confrontation with both O’Reilly and my university superiors, who wanted me fired over my controversial remarks. “
NOW YOU KNOW WHY HE HATES PRESIDENT OBAMA!
That O’Reilly incident happened in 2008 and it’s now 2012 and Boyce is still talking about how he almost lost his job for defending Michele Obama. President Obmama didn’t speak out for Boyce, and now you know why Boyce hates President Obama. No different than Tavis and West, it’s petty and personal.
Pimp/Prostitute, Alrighty then…. Not impressed with that generalization. You know there are over 480 billionaires in the USA. More billionaires in America than any place in the world. I say this because this country is at a PRECIPICE, the likes Our Generation has never seen or experienced before. Yes, I know President Obama has not done enough for African Americans, but if the Other One wins, we will become no more than a statistical mark in the Annals of History because the One Percent this time are playing for blood, control, and permanent domination. Discourged, you bet I am, but can’t give up now. Help get Obama Re-elected. Once that occurs then tell him AGAIN, You appear to be failing our Communities, and We need a change in your approach towards Your Base!
I’m w/ you on this Dr. Boyce. We have to be the only political group in America (Blacks, African American… use your preference) who willingly, consistently and loyally give our votes away for nothing in return (except more excuses of why they can’t). I feel that regardless of who I vote for… I’ll be wasting my vote… so I’m “wasting” it on someone who I feel best represents me… even if he/she doesn’t have a snowballs chance of h**l in winning.
I also find it ironic how you point out in the article…
What offends me most is the determination with which the Democratic Party relies on fear and seeks to undermine individual freedom when it comes to how we vote. The fear is driven by reminding you that if you don’t give them your vote, horrible things are going to happen to you.
… and around 80% of the comments posted at the time I’m writing this… do just that.
You’re right about the 80% they don’t care if black people starve death just as long as they have their idol in the whitehouse to worship.these are the people that’s gonna be easy pickings for the antichrist
Boyce Watkins has Obama derangement syndrome…Projection…like all of these cropped up after President Obama took office. See, it the Boyce Watkins’ of the world who are the pimps in the black community. Want proof? Think about it, a Boyce Watkins talks about Barack Obama,President of the United States like an angry pimp demanding that he go out and turn political tricks for him. Question: Where have you someone leveling constant withering criticizing on someone wanted to do something for you? LOL A pimp verbally and physically abuses the very people he depends on for his livelihood!
What has who in the White House got any thing to do with black killing black or doing things that get you put in jail????? That is on us…
Freeport, Ill. When does the Greed Stop? How can Our brothers and sisters get the upper hand? Vote Obama for another term in Office. Romney has succeeded in America. And now he wants The Oval Office too? We have to elect people within our communities to voice our needs at the State level. Don’t give up people, vote for what is right, or say goodbye to what you have.
I hear you brother… I hear you loud and clear. Thanks for your ability to walk a mile in another man’s shoes in order to understand his plight. Many of us lack this ablity and selfishly forgot where we came from. I am with you and share your thoughts.
Black people who needs help more than anyone in this country once u give your vote to Obama overwhelmingly make sure you demand something for your vote .he’s the president not your prize possession.
Ok Doc, I see that the lesser of two evils has prevailed or maybe it is because he is Black. I’ll admit I voted for the President because he is Black first and of course he is qualified. But anyone born in the U.S., has at least 14 years of residency (in the U.S.) and is over 35 years old is qualified. Truth be told, I would’ve voted for Sharpton, first because he is Black, qualified and he would have scared quite a few white folks had he been nominated. Never-the-less, I do however take exception to your analogy, but we are all entitled to an opinion(s) and you are the brunt of many. As you have provided a forum for an open dialogue on your blog, now it is time to move the Black community forward. I urge you in your commentary, because you are in a position to facilitate, at the very least, an exchange of ideas of forward progression, fortitude and movement. It’s no secret that the historical implications of the past have kept a proverbial heel on the necks of our community, but we have to take responsibility when we are in a position to send out messages of empowerment and yes, guidance. Ain’t nothing worse than to be perceived as a “Mis-educated” Negro (as you and I both know that most people use the term erroneously and in the wrong context). I will not be one and as long as our communities are in this state of existence, we must keep pressing. As I read the threads, I see the shift in attitudes and mindsets. The fear is beginning to shed and evolving into confidence…and the construction of a strong foundation of which to build. This is our “rock bottom.”
OBAMA SONG…Turn your speakers up
http://www.youtube.com/embed/c_d9mntKvGM
Take Us Forward (OBAMA 2012)
Available on ITUNES! Music and Lyrics By Crystal Lucas-Perry for CrystalMadeProductions Song Produced By Jason Michael Webb for WorldWideWebb Creative Studio…
Dr. Boyce Watkins–
Stay strong, speak the truth, and let nothing and no one discourage you from doing so. The biggest problem with the masses in Black America and Black Africa is the vast majority of people absolutely do not know nor understand at all how America operates, who runs her, and the fact that those same powerful people control and manipulate incredible public ignorance regarding major ruthlessness of who, what, where, when, why and how American domestic policy and international imperialism works. They do not understand that Obama and all other U.S. POTUS prior to him are puppets who overwhelmingly have and must do as they are told and expected or be subjected to tremendous scandal, impeachment, harm to their loved ones or assassination. Black people believe whatever U.S. government officials and politicians say and black people also believe whatever they hear, see, and read reported by mainstream media organizations that are as well controlled by the same people who control POTUS. The vast majority of black people have no idea what is in store for us as a people in America and Africa even when it’s staring right in their faces and we are always the last to realize it, scream, and moan only after s**t hits the fan and it is way too late. We are way too trusting, sentimental, compliant, passive, and are easily always taken down like sheep to slaughter. For example, the vast majority of African Americans know nothing about White America’s and Europe’s deliberate covert and overt actions going on to prevent solidification of the United States of Africa, to recolonize Africa, and to do so using military force. Black people do not understand that great economic power for them in the U.S. via mere education and possible financing will never be allowed close to that of White America no matter what we do or do not do. Black people do not realize that the so-called civil uprisings that occurred in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Ivory Coast, Somalia and Mali upcoming in domino effect were not real, but were instead deliberately orchestrated by the U.S. and European countries. They don’t know that Libya’s President Qaddafi was no dictator at all, well loved by the overwhelming majority of Libyans, and he was deliberately murdered both because Libya was rich, not dependent on nor would Qaddafi play financial investment ball with European and American governments and corporations, and Qaddafi also lead and was heavily bringing together and financing creation of the United States of Africa referred to as the African Union comprised of 54 African countries, which are now both seriously weakened and threatened given the deliberate murder of Qaddafi. Black people think MLK, Jr., Malcolm X, Fred Hampton, Huey Newton, Mahatma Gandhi, Patrice Lumumba, Steve Biko and hundreds of other freedom and justice leaders in America, Asia, and Africa very deliberately and brutally murdered by White America and European secret intelligence and military forces. Why? Because they all d**n well actually dared to question the obvious and not so obvious, to be aware, alert, fearless enough to stand up, put their lives and even that of their families’ on the line as a result, and to fight against the white man’s stealth agenda of full control and expansion of wealth, resources, and greed. They were not passively fanning hope on the whims of stated promises never nor intended to be kept drinking the White Man’s nor his many bought puppet black aides’ poison kool-aid of regular lies and deception. They saw, realized, aggressively addressed, and protested. And, guess what? Black America and Black Africa had better hurry up fast doing the same and also begin by uniting in solidarity of mind and heart spirit, moral, social, education, and economic consciousness. It’s called resurrection of “The Black Movement”. Otherwise, expect to continuously get played and creamed. And, black people in America and Africa will have no one else to blame for not actively fighting against injustices deliberately waged against us and being successful in creating our own destiny using our strength in numbers but our weak selves based on incredible ignorance, lack of knowledge, and preparedness. Don’t stop Dr. Boyce. Keeping telling it like it is and not the fantasy our people want to believe and to their great peril. Obama is doing as he is told to do. Never forget it black people. Never forget it.
Listen to BARBBF. He or she is most definitely on target and what was stated isn’t even half of what Obama has done. Folks also be prepared for U.S. government forcing all Americans to have RFID microchips implanted, which will have everything bit of important personal information about you on them, are tracking devices, and those who refuse them will be prevented from working, buying, or selling. The One World Order to being ushered in will also required RFID microchips implanted in all human beings worldwide. And, I’d say it sounds like the “Mark of The Beast” to me. Anyone planning on being able to refuse RFID had best hurry up and prepare. Go on the Internet to easily find out all you need to know about all emergency items, specific equipment, food, etc… you’ll need to have via gathering and compiling to survive. Believe it or not, it’s coming. Don’t wait and be too late to resist if you know right now that is what you would want to be able to do. Peace!
Dr. Boyce writes sooo many negative articles, I can’t help but believe that he was sad and sick long before these elections came around.