US Elections 2008: Is Barak Obama's Black Caucus affiliation compatible with his campaign?

No

1 of 2

by JD Russell

Write now Print Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites RSS Feed Contact this writer

The answer is absolutely "NO".

The President of the United States of America must demonstrate inclusiveness at all times for Americans of all ethnic groups in America. A personal membership in any organization by a presidential candidate that allows only a specific ethnic group to be members is a message that racial division in America is acceptable by the candidate.

Is there a presidential candidate that is a member of such an organization who actively advocate the success of one ethnic group over other ethnic groups in America?

Unfortunately, there is such a presidential candidate who evidently fails to see his membership sends the wrong message to many Americans of various ethnic groups. His declaration of being the candidate for change in America for all Americans rings false and untrue based on his actions of continuing to be a member of an exclusive race based organization.

While reviewing the organization affiliations for all of the Presidential candidates listed at the Washingtonpost.com website, it was interesting to see Senator Barrack Obama's membership in the Congressional Black Caucus as shown on the CBC website was not listed in the Experience section under the subheading: Businesses Owned, Past Careers, Board Memberships, Etc.:

Why was this important fact overlooked by the WashingtonPost.com team who put together the information for each presidential candidate?

Why is The Omission of This Fact So Important?

How can a presidential candidate truly be a President of the United States for People of All Races while being a member in the race-based Congressional Black Caucus?

Will Mr. Obama as president make all of his decisions based on his allegiance and promise to the Congressional Black Caucus to advance the needs of the black population over the needs of other races or will he make his decisions based on what is good for all Americans regardless of race? This where the conflict arises and tarnishes his image as a president for all races.
Do some members of the Congressional Black Caucus show hostility towards politicians of different races who are known to have worked to improve the lives of the black population?

Pete Stark, a white democrat from California, was refused admission to the caucus in 1975 solely because he was white.

Ralph Nader in 2004 while addressing the Congressional Black Caucus was the recipient of an "obscene racial epithet" delivered twice by Congressman Melvin Watt of North Carolina during the meeting. This attack on a man who has worked hard over the years to advance the social causes while fighting injustices for many ethnic groups including the black population was unjustified and down right racist on Mr. Watts' part. The shameful part is that Mr. Watts is a member of the United States House of Representatives and was not even admonished for his "obscene racial epithet" spoken twice on Capitol Hill.

White Representative Stephen I. Cohen from Tennessee requested in January 2007 the opportunity to join the Black Congressional Caucus since the black population makes up 60% of his constituents. His request to join was declined.
Democratic Representative William Lacy Clay from Missouri is quoted as saying "Mr. Cohen asked for admission, and he got his answer. He's white and the Caucus is black. It's time to move on. We have racial policies to pursue and we are pursuing them, as Mr. Cohen has learned. It's an unwritten rule. It's understood."

Rep. Cohen issued this response, "It's their caucus and they do things their way. You don't force your way in."

Addressing Rep. Cohen's complaint further about not being admitted, Democrat Representative William Lacy Clay from Missouri issued an official statement from his office:
"Quite simply, Rep. Cohen will have to accept what the rest of the country will have to accept - there has been an unofficial Congressional White Caucus for over 200 years, and now it's our turn to say who can join 'the club.' He does not, and cannot, meet the membership criteria, unless he can change his skin color. Primarily, we are concerned with the needs and concerns of the black population, and we will not allow white America to infringe on those objectives."

Some Black Congressional Caucus Democrats work together to even get White Democrats voted out of office. These are white democrats who have voted alongside the members of the Black Congressional Caucus Democrats to help advance their agenda yet they are still targeted to be voted out of office because they are not black.

It is decision time for Mr. Obama to decide whether to continue his membership in the Congressional Black Caucus or decide to show America and the world that he is truly a candidate for all ethnic groups in the United States by renouncing his membership. Right now his actions are telling voters that he will not be a president for all Americans.

Either he is a presidential candidate for people of all ethnic groups or he is a presidential candidate for only one ethnic group based on Representative William Lacy Clay's official reply back to Representative Stephen I. Cohen, that included this statement: "Primarily, we are concerned with the needs and concerns of the black population, and we will not allow white America to infringe on those objectives."

How can he continue to be a member of an exclusive race based organization dedicated to advancing one ethnic group over the many other ethnic groups that make up America and at the same time run for the office of the President of the United States?

Part of the President's duties include protecting and making the life of all Americans better by giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Right now Barack Obama can't honestly do that because of his membership in an organization that promotes and seeks a better life for only one ethnic group.

Learn more about this author, JD Russell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.