Senator Obama and Reparations

A few years ago I wrote in a poem
“It's going to take a lot more than Reparations
To revise the remnants of the Nubian nation
Not when 12 year olds lacking father figures
Resort to pulling triggers….”

Senator Obama’s opposition to the call for reparations makes good sense on several levels. First he is correct in that it would be seen as a divisive distraction. Secondly he have to would divert hard earned political capital away from more serious issues like health care, education, the economy, oil, foreign policy and so on. Thirdly, it counters attacks by those who attempt to portray Senator Obama as a standard bearer/front man for those who are labeled fringe or radical elements of the black community. (Although I doubt how reparations while perhaps unrealistic, can be dismissed as radical). Lastly and more importantly it reflects the new mentality in dealing with the often incendiary issue of race in America. Senator Obama by adding his voice to the resonating message of accountability and personal responsibility gives credence to those who like Bill Cosby are challenging old paradigms.

An Obama Administration will have to deal with major domestic issues, issues that are affecting us as Americans. Should he use the White House as a bully pulpit to address discrimination, disparities in housing, education and the like? Yes. Should he make sure the Justice Department cracks down racial profiling, and redlining and predatory lending? Again yes. Should he use the office to preach for reparations? In my opinion - absolutely not.

The heckler who questioned Senator Obama’s desire to confront issues that have historically impacted the “black community” is just as off base as those who questioned Senator Obama’s patriotism. I recall Dr. King’s response to those who questioned his anti war stance in 1967.

“I often understand the source of their concern, I am nevertheless greatly saddened, for such questions mean that the inquirers have not really known me, my commitment, or my calling”.

Forty years later Senator Obama can make the same case to his detractors. African Americans who vote for Senator Obama with the expectations that he is going to ride into the White House and immediately eradicate long standing ills within the black nation will be disappointed. The next President will face a litany of serious issues at a critical time in this country’s long and great history. Putting reparations on the table would seriously undercut Senator Obama’s message, and the core values of racial harmony, which are an essential element of his campaign narrative.

To his credit Kibibi Tyehimba co-chair of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America doesn’t fall into the trap of unrealistic expectations, saying about Senator Obama "Let's not be naive. Sen. Obama is running for President of the United States, and so he is in a constant battle to save his political life….I don't think it's realistic to expect him to do anything other than what he's done.” He apparently understands that as President, Obama will have a broader agenda.

In my view while Black America waits on some form of reparations, we are “sleeping” on the tremendous amount of resources already available. Those resources come in the form of corporate and foundation donations. Corporate support channels billions of dollars each year to underwrite programs in the areas of health, education, arts, family, literacy, and others. In addition, the banking industry through the Community Reinvestment Act provides resources for community development. All that is needed is for concerned citizen groups to organize, get a 5013c non profit designation, a competent board of directors, and begin to address the needs facing their community. The black community simply can not afford to wait for what may be a pipedream of reparations when real work can be done.

I would amend Senator Obama’s response to the young man in Florida, by saying “find a cause and get busy”. It was the work in the community that grounded Barack Obama, not Harvard Law. Television talk show host Tavis Smiley has a website Covenant with Black America which provides opportunities to get involved in a variety of areas. The wait for reparations by the black community while rooted in the horrors of slavery, rape, brutality, and murder, are well founded, yet in 2008 it begs the question, has the issue of reparation become for some, an excuse to do nothing but wait and complain?

Finally, I give mad props to Senator Obama for sending an affirming message that supports accountability and community action, and avoiding the traps of divisiveness, and distraction.