Obama's Choice to be Black

Aside from selecting “African American” on his 2010 census form, the president has obviously chosen to connect strongly with black culture. However, having a white mother and being raised by his white grandparents isn’t enough for some of his white brothers and sisters. They actually believe he’s a racist because he chose a black church and a black woman. He’s called the anti-Christ, tar baby, half-white racist, and the worst president ever! This possibly has a lot more to do with just opposing his policies. Is there any wonder why he embraced his black side?

            Goodness knows President Obama could easily have had a white woman like so many other black and brown men whose main goal in life is to succeed by assimilating. One of the most sheer-fire ways for an educated and or financially secure man of color to be welcomed into the Caucasian fold is to marry a white woman – the quintessential token of American accomplishment.

            Obama’s real crime, in addition to being and choosing to stay black, is putting the brakes on America’s illegal, immoral runaway corporate money train. Banks, drug and oil companies will finally be forced to stop grabbing and hoarding and pay their fair share. As a result, they are relying on the ignorant public to carry out their racist agenda as they did during the Civil War.

             Throughout history as Europeans explored the world and discovered dark peoples, they enslaved, killed off, and mated with many, drastically changing their racial and social construct. This happened more specifically in places like Australia, Hawaii, North African, and North and South America. The offspring, with their white DNA, were far easier to assimilate and many chose white mates. Over time this practice has ultimately helped replenish Caucasian numbers. 

             It has already been established that Obama could have chosen the earthly benefits of living as a white man and marrying a white woman. Would he be experiencing this much opposition had he done so?

2012-Has Jim Crow Returned?

The residents of one of Savannah’s African American neighborhoods awoke one morning to the astonishment of a giant black chalk board, a so-called “mural of art “ sprawled on the side of a building facing a heavily trafficked  residential area. On a card provided by the erecting organization, it was stated that the huge board was to offer residents, (Apparently African Americans at this location) an opportunity for self expression. Often times self-expression exercises of this nature are a part of a carefully orchestrated study.  They question what the board is structured to say about us? Conscious home owners and residents in general question its validity for these residents.   

            The members and residents of this over 35-year organized neighborhood association were not informed of this board’s purpose nor planned arrival. The residents do not consider this as art at all, rather a blaring eyesore. These dedicated residents have worked tirelessly to comply with all city ordinances for keeping their taxes current, the neighborhood safe, free of blight, and always with a spirit of brotherhood. Now the residents feel slighted and disrespected, like they have no rights at all. Truly art is in the eye of the beholder, but since these residents do not feel this is art, why should they have to behold it and have NO say while they increasingly pay?

Today these residents ask:

            Are African Americans again made to live limited existences forced on them by the whims of persons of another hue? Are there separate laws again governing the two races? Are African Americans again paying taxes to receive little to no representation? Are African Americans again made to eat of the tainted fruit called racism knowing it will invariably erode the very lining of their stomachs – the very essence of our souls? Their true satisfaction lies in the knowledge that  GOD will also return to right these and ALL wrongs!

RESIDENTS BLOG:

Miss Renni:  There are pros and cons to everything, but respect should be given where respect is due. We should have been respected well enough to be contacted before making such a bold statement with this unsightly black board.

Mrs. Jenkins:  Positive artistic murals to our liking are good, but this is not. Many times the lewd graffiti and statements were placed on this wall from people outside of our neighborhood, and it makes us look bad.  A great deal of our residents are seniors, and I know they would not have drawn that male sexual organ on the wall.  We should have been informed of what and why it was being put up. As it stands, I feel it must be taken down.

Roots:  What purpose does this serve and what actual face can be seen asking the questions. It is not important to us, as we weren’t even consulted to be sure it addressed our needs, so who is this ugly black board important to? It does nothing to benefit us. I know we can’t and I didn’t think others could put up signs, posters, or billboards such as this thing without approval from the city. Why was our neighborhood singled out? We have more important needs and concerns than to be bothered with this invasion. There are too many squatter invasions coming to take over our neighborhood that show more love for the animals than for spending governmental or corporate time and resources for sustaining the lives of today’s poor humans.

Standardized Tests: Do They Help or Hurt?

There have been countless, extreme arguments for and against Spring testing. Without question they’re needed. These tests are essential yard sticks that measure academic growth as well as determine and establish policies and programs for the entire system of education. However, there appears to be far too great of importance placed on them. Currently, daily class work and progress reports do not determine promotions. Why?? Standardized tests should merely be among many tools of assessment, not the main or only one.
            A young child’s self-worth begins with two main sources – the love and support of his caregivers and his ability to perform well in school. Without either one of these a child’s whole life could be spelled out in disaster. It’s a continuous cycle. Children habitually act out in class when they cannot do the work and or are not getting positive, effective reinforcement at home. They often become the constant, disruptive forces that derail the process of teaching and learning. Today’s rigorous curriculum, which correlates directly with standardized tests, is a one-sided method of identifying the high achievers from the average and low performers. This forces the teacher to concentrate more on those students who can keep up with the mad pace and fit the unrealistic mold. Low performers are placed in remedial programs that too often do not improve their skills. More consideration should be given to multiple intelligences. There is more than one way to give and receive knowledge. Policy-makers know this, yet they continue to judge our children’s understanding by their own flawed reasoning.
            America’s public schools have been reduced to elaborate warehouses filtering out the marginally to conventionally functional members of society as well as the future labor force for correctional plantations run by private corporations. The stress on children and youth to pass these tests actually contributes to the soaring drop-out rate. This is no accident! About half of black and Hispanic students drop out or opt for GEDs. At least in Chatham County (Savannah, GA), the maximum legal age a child is required to attend school is 16 – not 18. This is an open invitation to drop out for the many students with years of a substandard education. Why?? Sadly, students that succeed will do so in spite of a failing system, not because of it. If WE don’t fight this injustice why should anyone else?