Tuesday, July 19, 2011

How we handle Obamageddon

  Not long ago, members of the black community were thrilled at the election of the first black president of the United States. So thrilled, in fact, that some people (of all races) had illusions that all their problems would be solved by his election, redistribution of wealth and, essentially, socialism.
  Their disappointment is acute, at this point. We see numerous incidents around the country of young minority individuals who are impatient with their own circumstances.
  This video encapsulates the euphoria that some individuals (of all races), felt about his election and what it portended for them personally:

  Walter Russell Mead has written a notable piece about the dilemma of these individuals entitled "Obamageddon coming to a city near you?" It is worth reading in its entirety.
  If we add to this the mounting frustration among many young and poor Blacks (and not only them) about the failure of “hope and change” to make their lives better in any way, we have an explosive mix.  Conditions are bad, leadership struggles to rise to the times, hope has soured into disillusion.  It now looks increasingly likely that the recovery will continue to move slowly everywhere and especially slowly for Blacks.  Out of frustration and economic need, Black politics will shift away from establishment liberalism toward more left wing or Black nationalist options even as whites continue moving toward the right.  If that is where we are headed, then President Obama’s election will look to many angry young Blacks less like a milestone for Black America and more like proof that ordinary politics cannot change their lives.  The establishment leaders who urge them to keep calm and be patient will not have their confidence or trust.
  Those who suspected this would happen with this president should not mock or disparage these individuals, although their childlike confidence that all their problems would be solved by Obama's election was indeed remarkable, cultish and breath taking. 
  This despair isn't unexpected, considering that Obama himself encouraged such foolish belief in a human being, declaring that the earth would begin to heal itself at the moment of his election:

  Look, one of the problems in this country is that we've had it good for a long time. When we realize that many of America's "poor' have air conditioning, own cars and X-boxes, you begin to realize that expectations are too high. Without working for what you want, what is left?
  One thing the oft disparaged Puritans have contributed to our culture is the Puritan work ethic, upon which this country was built.
  If we can pass one thing on to the next generation, God willing, we hope that is it, preserving the vision that those escapees from Europe wished for us hundreds of years ago.
  Some people believe that government providing all our needs, even the most basic, is an ideal solution to the ills of the world. This is not so, and never can be. 
  The most generous people in the world are Americans, and conservatives, and Christians. 
  But the best gift anyone can give to a dependent individual is their freedom, their liberty and their dignity.
  Star Parker is an excellent example of such an individual, who left welfare, drug use and dependency to become a nationally known speaker and political contender.
The story of Star Parker is a stunning chronicle of how she left the seductive life of drugs, crime, abortions and welfare abuse through the power of the Gospel to become a leading advocate for the family. She is at the forefront of the Christian conservative movement to motivate and lead others away from the lies of the culture to a life full of grace and truth
Star Parker is the founder and president of CURE, the Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education, a 501c3 non-profit think tank that provides a national voice of reason on issues of race and poverty - in the media, inner city neighborhoods, and public policy.
  People who have been through the fire and temptation like Star Parker deserve our support.
  

No comments:

Post a Comment