President Obama is taking heat for telling a black Magazine that he is “not the president of black America.”
Some say critics in the black academic and media community are holding Obama to a tougher standard than they held his Democratic predecessor Bill Clinton.
Obama’s remark to Black Enterprise made some African-Americans upset, while others defended his point.
He made the comment when asked about criticism that he hasn’t done enough to help black business owners who have suffered more than others in the recession.
“My general view has been consistent throughout, which is that I want all businesses to succeed,” Obama said. “I’m not the president of black America, I’m the president of the United States of America, but the programs that we have put in place have been directed at those folks who are least able to get financing through conventional means.”
“I’ll put my track record up against anybody in terms of us putting in place broad-based programs that ultimately had a huge benefit for African American businesses,” he added.
Some readers accused Obama of taking the African-American vote for granted.
“He’s not the president of black America, yet he needs the black vote!! When other groups holler, they get his attention, when we do we’re told to stop complaining and put on our marching boots,” wrote one reader.
“Black unemployment is through the roof and we have no right to complain? I’m sorry but singing Al Green and going to Harlem for a fundraiser (not to listen to regular folk problems) is just not going to cut it anymore.”
“Clearly he doesn’t want my black American vote,” added another.
Hazel Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference, dismissed what she called emotional responses to Obama’s remark.
“I think he is the President of the United States and I believe he is addressing the people regardless of race, creed or color by saying he wants to be president for all of us,” she said, adding, “That’s the message I hear.”
As for whether he is taking the black vote for granted, she said: “I don’t think President Obama is taking any vote for granted.”
via BMS
