06:59 PM Friday, November 20, 2009
Hometown Hero? Chicagoans Rate Obama So Far
Date: Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 6:30 am
By: Michael H. Cottman, BlackAmericaWeb.com
On the first anniversary of President Barack Obama’s historic election, many African-Americans in Chicago are still feeling a sense of euphoria from that balmy night in Grant Park 11 months ago when Obama – a lanky lawyer from the Windy City - became the nation’s first black president.
Charles Whitaker, the Charles Deering McCormick Distinguished Clinical Professor in Journalism at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Chicago, said it’s been a year of ups and downs for Obama.
“I think there is still great promise for this president, but we’ve all been slapped in the face with a cold dose of reality,” Whitaker told BlackAmericaWeb.com Monday. “The problems he faces are enormous, and we all underestimated the intensity of the opposition.”
Still, Obama is Chicago’s hometown hero – the charismatic, Harvard-trained former professor whose lofty speeches have uplifted many who are looking to the president for steady and bold leadership, both in the states and outside its borders.
PHOTO GALLERY: Election Night at Grant Park in Chicago
But Obama faces an uphill battle on critical issues like health care reform, fixing the economy, creating jobs and seeking bi-partisan support for his initiatives.
“We all wanted to believe that it was possible to change the tone of Washington, but it appears the administration is not going to make allies out of people who are wholly committed to Obama’s failure and destruction,” Whitaker said.
Many black Americans in Chicago are still energized by Obama’s symbol of hope for black America. Even in some of Chicago’s most devastated black neighborhoods, there is still anticipation – and optimism – for better days ahead.
“The election of President Barack Obama was not an ending but a beginning,” Roland Martin, a political analyst for CNN and a resident of Chicago, told BlackAmericaWeb.com.
“A year ago, everyone was excited about his candidacy,” said Martin, who is also a senior analyst for "The Tom Joyner Morning Show” and author of the new book “The First: President Obama’s Road to the White House.” “Well, he's won and has been inaugurated."
But Martin said Obama cannot uplift black America alone. It takes action, he says, from many black Americans - block by block, city by city.
“It's time for the people who demanded and voted for change to stop sitting on the sidelines watching the change parade,” Martin said. “They need to be in the game. Remember, he used the word 'we' 47 times in his Election Night speech. It's time for the 'we' in this nation to stop waiting on him and for them to get to work!"
Last week, Obama, in his weekly radio address to the nation, told Americans that although many families are still struggling day to day, his administration has created or saved more than 640,000 jobs since September as the economy is showing some signs of progress.
But as of October, the unemployment rate for blacks skyrocketed to 15.4 percent, while the rate for whites held steady at 9 percent.
Lou Ransom, executive editor of The Chicago Defender, said Obama has a daunting task of leading the nation back to recovery during the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression.
“He moved into an untenable position, cleaning up after George Bush,” Ransom said. “But I think he’s holding up well and staying above the fray. There have been no bad mistakes and no amazing victories yet, but overall, people in Chicago are giving him good grades.”
Obama’s first 11 months in office has included a range of accomplishments, according to the administration.
In an address to a joint session of Congress this summer, Obama explained how health insurance reform will provide more security .....
Please Login or Register to Rate this article
Yo peeps, Jiggy in da house. Pull up a chair and Holla at the Scholar
by
Jiggy5
November 4, 2009, 11:37 am
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It funny, democrats are worried about the cost! These same democrats sighed any bill bush put in their faces without resistance. But now we are worried about cost! People talk about how much money was wasted in Iraq, but they never question any of the contractors about how much of the billions that was wasted--never accounted for. But all of bush's failures will be blamed on obama, the economy, the wars, everything if we don't find a way to help dig him out of this. Yes, his is the first black president, at this point, if he doesn't succeed, so what?
by
Dkg316
November 3, 2009, 8:11 pm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have foxnews offering rush limbaugh 30 min of tv time to beatup on Obama and yet they keep lying about not being the right arm of the GOP. We seem to think foxnews is a joke, the democrats are afraid of them. But funny thing, foxnews is getting people to believe them--the GOP is winning elections. Obama is losing ground with independent voters. The people who voted for him knowing full well what he intended to do are now, for some reason, against him. People who will benefit from the public option health care and won't have to pay a dime are, what, worried about the cost!
by
Dkg316
November 3, 2009, 8:09 pm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's not enough for him to be the first black president, I could care less. But children and grandchildren, and great grandchildren will read about this time and I'm afraid it may not make for such good reading. Mr Obama has to make REAL progress. He can't just be the first black president, he has to succeed. We cannot allow him to replace george bush as the worst president in american history. That just cannot be Obama's legacy.
by
Dkg316
November 3, 2009, 7:55 pm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The reason they want to wait is because democrates who want to pass this bill will be elected out of office leaving only the opposition. I said it before, the news media has waged war on the first black president. White America is sending a clear message, "only white men can run America" They are going to make obama a failure and all we can seem to do is watch.
by
Dkg316
November 3, 2009, 7:52 pm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The family of then President-elect Barack Obama is shown with the Election Night victor at Grant Park in Chicago. (AP)
MORE HEADLINES
Obama Back to Work on Afghanistan, Jobs and Health
President Barack Obama will have scant time to rest up from his eight-day Asia trip.
Black Astronauts Conquering the Final Frontier
Orthopedic surgeon Robert Satcher put his considerable skills to work, repairing a robotic arm on NASA’s International Space Station.
Ebony Magazine's Latest Celebrates Black Power
"We showcased a wide range of intriguing people who'll undoubtedly surprise and engage our audience,” says Linda Johnson Rice.
Long-Awaited Senate Health Care Bill Unveiled
The $849 billion measure is designed to remake the nation's health care system, relying on cuts in future Medicare spending to cover costs.
Judge: Corps' Negligence Caused Katrina Flooding
A federal judge ruled the Army Corps' shoddy oversight of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet led to the flooding of New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward.
Report: Dad Shot Son After Sex Abuse Accusation
Michigan authorities filed a first-degree murder charge Wednesday against Jamar Pinkney Sr. in the shooting death of his son.
The Pressure's On: BLF Walks Congress' Halls
Representatives from the groups comprising Black Leadership Forum are fanning out in Washington, D.C.
Black Activists Blast Breast Cancer Guidelines
“I’m pissed, pissed, pissed, pissed,” journalist Rene Syler said in her video blog, “Good Enough Mother.”
Barbour's Proposal on Merging HBCUs Met with Ire
“Every time the money is tight, they look at cutting money for our colleges or merging,” said Democratic state Sen. David Jordan.
Body Believed to Be Missing Girl Found
The short, tragic life of Shaniya Davis is one that too many youths in America face each day, children advocates say.