Archive for the ‘African-American Issues’ Category

Let’s take a look at some of the firsts in our country’s history. Our first President was George Washington. He was an intelligent, strong, brave, leader of men. He set the standard for President’s to come. The first Democrat to win the Presidency was Thomas Jefferson, one of the most brilliant men in the history of our nation. The first Republican to win the Presidency was Abraham Lincoln who led this country through a bloody civil war and kept it together. Our first Catholic President was John F. Kennedy, who inspired a generation to reach for the stars.

Now let’s look at some African-American firsts in our country’s history. The first African-American Federal Judge was William Henry Hastie a well-respected civil rights leader and accomplished leader. The first African-American Supreme Court Justice was Thurgood Marshall. Thurgood Marshall was a liberal and we disagreed on many things. That in no way lessens his accomplishments and his character. He was a strong man and a leader of men. He devoted his life to the pursuit of justice. His most famous case, Brown v. Board of Education still echoes through the schoolhouse hallways today. The first African-American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State was General Colin Powell. This is a man whose words inspired man, woman and child to hold their head high and take pride in their country. This man led the nation, regardless of the color of their skin, people believed in him and followed him.

Why the rambling down the road of history you ask? Because I’m now looking towards the end of the first year of the first African-American Presidency and I’m sad. History deserves better. The African-American Community deserves better. Our country deserves better. The first African-American President should have been a strong decisive leader like many of the African-American firsts before him. Instead, we got a sleazy Chicago Politician. That’s really what this Presidency is, that of a cheap Chicago Politician. He doesn’t really do anything, but when looking at his career, he never did.  He just makes a lot of speeches and plays politics regardless of the damage to people or the country. I’m not convinced that he’s fighting for an agenda because he thinks it’s the right thing, but because he wants the win.

One of the big differences between Barack Obama and the other firsts of this nation is that there is no moral compass present. Other people who are first, usually fight and sacrifice to get there. That requires a moral compass to overcome the difficulties, because you know you are right. Barack Obama has overcome nothing and fought for nothing in his entire life. He’s a slick talking politician who has had his entire life handed to him and doesn’t understand the words sacrifice. Because he has earned nothing, he respects nothing. Unfortunately, that makes him the poster child for the latest generation, but it doesn’t make him the shining example that the first African-American President should be.

We got swindled. We got swindled out of what should have been a glorious moment in History. We got swindled by a generation of slackers who celebrate mediocrity and entitlement instead of meritocracy. I wanted to be able to look back on the first African-American President with pride. I wanted to be able to say that this was a brilliant man of character like the firsts before him. Unfortunately, that boat has sailed. For that, I am sad.