by Marcus Brooks

Created on: October 08, 2009

Almost 10 days ago, I came across a tragic story out of Chicago. A black, honor student named Derrion Albert was coming home from school. Apparently, he ran into a street fight involving two groups of adolescents. In the melee, one of the groups attacked him with fists, broken railroad ties and boots. He was beaten and stomped to death. To top it off, passer-bys and those watching filmed his murder on their cell phones.

A White House representative called the brutal act "chilling". However, the news played second fiddle to the Windy City's bid of becoming host city to the 2016 Summer Games.

Our president Barack Obama flew to Denmark to make a last-ditch plea to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He wanted to present a case that showed his hometown was worthy to have a global competition founded on sportsmanship and good will.

But how could that "good will" be noticed after a grisly murder in broad daylight?

President Obama should've cancelled his trip to Denmark. He should've made a personal appearance to Fenger Academy where the tragedy occurred. He should've made an appearance in the nieghborhood where residents are trapped everyday by violent crime. He should've showed that the American people was with them in their time of sorrow. He didn't.

Obama could've guaranteed action just by being there. He could've eased the residents' pain of feeling ignored by Mainstream America. Only four assailants were charged with first-degree murder. But, four others remained at large. Residents fearing deadly retribution for snitching refused to cooperate with police and local authorities. Obama could've eased those fears. He could've said.

"If you come foward, we will protect you. You have my word." He could've delivered that statement in his usual eloquent speech.

Instead, he "pimped" Chicago to nations that already disregarded America's value. He met up with European and Latin American countries determined to freeze out the United States and Japan from IOC's vote. They succeeded with both being eliminated before the final rounds. Spain and Brazil were the last two with the latter winning the Olympic bid.

In the meantime, White House officials watched Albert's killing on uncensored video. They watched the blows landed by wooden planks upon his body. They watched him being hustled into a corner. They watched him being set upon by seven or eight, different assailants. They watched people cheer as if, they were in Ancient Rome viewing Christians being fed to hungry lions.

They watched a nation devolve into bestiality. And so did the rest of the world.

But, Obama didn't.

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