The Black Agenda

I was watching CNN this morning, particularly because I was following up with the commentary concerning the new Health Care Reform Bill that just passed. In between the commentary, there were of course a few other headline stories. One of which really caught my attention and I wish I didn't have to rush off to class because I would have like to stay longer and listen to it.

There was a discussion about whether or not President Obama needs to develop a Black Agenda and how successful has he been in carrying one out. According to the Washington Post, "The Rev. Al Sharpton broke with other prominent black leaders to criticize Tavis Smiley's "We Count! The Black Agenda is the American Agenda" conference taking place in Chicago this weekend, saying the PBS commentator would use it to criticize President Obama even though he didn't subject the last Democratic president to the same scrutiny" (Harris, Washington Post).

The gentlemen speaking this morning on CNN repeatedly advocated the need for the President to take his duty in making sure that there is a Black Agenda. Also according to the Washington Post, "while Jesse Jackson praised Obama for being "committed to representing all of America," he said that the Congressional Black Caucus also has the right to voice criticism if members think the president is not doing enough" (Harris, Washington Post). But what is the Black Agenda? And does the fact that it is so termed mark and categorize people further?

The anchorwoman this morning was asking the men why a Black agenda under President Obama is distinguishable from a hypothetical "female agenda" that could technically be raised if Hillary Clinton were to be elected president. Furthermore, what distinguishes a Black Agenda from a Gay/Lesbian, Latino, or Asian agenda? The men speaking this morning raised the issue that a Black Agenda is needed because there seems to be a "certain crisis in the African-American community that needs to be addressed". But isn't there a crisis in every community?

Do people expect there to be a black agenda simply because they see our President as a black man? I really think this entire discussion is interesting, especially in the light of our lecture last Thursday. We talked about how many fail to see Obama as multi-racial or mixed. The majority of people often perceive Obama as only one--that he is a black man. So does the fact that Obama's father is African give Obama more credibility in the eyes of others to address issues and carry out a Black Agenda? Shouldn't every president and leader strive to address the issues of their constituency regardless?

What do you guys think? Also, here is the article from the Washington Post and also a commentary I found interesting.

http://voice.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/03/its-shaprton-vs-jackson-on-smi.html?hpid=topnews

http://www.tavistalks.com/we-count-black-agenda-american-agenda