Today, I was invited to be part of a conference call between Rev. Al Sharpton (head of the National Action Network), Ben Jealous (President of the NAACP) and Marc Morial (President of the Urban League). The conference call was designed to brief the media on the context of
the meeting that these three had with President Barack Obama this afternoon. I was shocked to hear that they were having a meeting on a day when the weather was so terrible (I am personally stranded in Texas, since all of the east coast airports are shut down), but I applaud these men for their commitment to getting to the White House for this very important meeting.
During the call, I should have changed my name to "Fly on the Wall," since I simply listened. I've given my point of view on a regular basis, so I wanted to hear what these men had to say about their meeting with the president. I have respect for these men, although I am fearful that the NAACP and Urban League might be too entrenched in corporate money to be able to engage in the kind of activism needed right now by the African American community. At the same time, their connection to the establishment opens doors to meetings with the president, which can be incredibly effective when it comes to getting things done on a larger scale.
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Blacks in the News
Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network and National Urban League president Marc Morial, right, talk outside the West Wing of the White House following their meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Obama met with African American leaders in the Oval Office to discuss the economy and jobs.(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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Blacks in the News
Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network and National Urban League president Marc Morial, right, talk outside the West Wing of the White House following their meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Obama met with African American leaders in the Oval Office to discuss the economy and jobs.(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Blacks in the News
National Urban League president Marc Morial walks down a snow covered driveway of the White House following a meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Obama met with African American leaders in the Oval Office to discuss the economy and jobs.(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Blacks in the News
FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2009 file photo, Sen. Roland Burris is interviewed by the Associated Press in his Capitol Hill office in Washington. The U.S. Senate, historically an all-white club, appears set to lose some of what little diversity it has after this year's midterm elections, because two white men will compete in November for President Barack Obama's old seat and several minority candidates face difficult races elsewhere. That could leave the 100-member Senate with no blacks next year because Sen. Roland Burris, the lone African-American member who was appointed to Obama's seat, didn't run for a full term. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
Blacks in the News
Governor Schwarzenegger swears in Brigadier General Mary J. Kight as the first female adjutant general of the California National Guard and first African-American female National Guard adjutant general in the nation during a ceremony at at Mather Air Force Base Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 in Mather, Calif. Kight, 59, has spent nearly 25 years with the California Guard after seven years in the Air Force. (AP Photo/Office of the Governor, Justin Short)
Blacks in the News
This Oct. 15, 2008 photo released by the University of Alabama shows Paul R. Jones. Jones, an African-American art collector who donated troves of works to universities in Delaware and Alabama, has died. He was 81. Jones died in Atlanta on Tuesday after a brief illness, said University of Alabama spokeswoman Angie Estes. The university established an art collection in Jones' name after receiving some 1,700 pieces valued at $5 million in 2008. (AP Photo/University of Alabama, Zachary Riggins) **NO SALES**
Blacks in the News
Jerome Valcke, FIFA's secretary general addresses a press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. Football officials say one-third of World Cup tickets remain unsold less than five months before the tournament begins. FIFA said in a Wednesday statement that South Africans and Americans led the 1.2 million ticket bids in the third round of sales which will be settled by lottery next month. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Blacks in the News
Jerome Valcke, FIFA's secretary general addresses a press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. Football officials say one-third of World Cup tickets remain unsold less than five months before the tournament begins. FIFA said in a Wednesday statement that South Africans and Americans led the 1.2 million ticket bids in the third round of sales which will be settled by lottery next month. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Blacks in the News
Jerome Valcke, FIFA's secretary general addresses a press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. Football officials say one-third of World Cup tickets remain unsold less than five months before the tournament begins. FIFA said in a Wednesday statement that South Africans and Americans led the 1.2 million ticket bids in the third round of sales which will be settled by lottery next month. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Blacks in the News
From left, Horst Schmidt, chairman of FIFA's ticketing sub-committe, Jerome Valcke, FIFA's secretary general and Danny Jordan, chief executive of South Africa's 2010 World Cup Soccer organizing committee, address a press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. Football officials say one-third of World Cup tickets remain unsold less than five months before the tournament begins. FIFA said in a Wednesday statement that South Africans and Americans led the 1.2 million ticket bids in the third round of sales which will be settled by lottery next month. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Blacks in the News
From left, Horst Schmidt, chairman of FIFA's ticketing sub-committe, Jerome Valcke, FIFA's secretary general and Danny Jordan, chief executive of South Africa's 2010 World Cup Soccer organizing committee, address a press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. Football officials say one-third of World Cup tickets remain unsold less than five months before the tournament begins. FIFA said in a Wednesday statement that South Africans and Americans led the 1.2 million ticket bids in the third round of sales which will be settled by lottery next month. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Blacks in the News
The meeting seemed to be productive, as the president gave an hour and fifteen minutes to the meeting. The length of the meeting surprised me, but makes sense, given that President Obama got roughly 25% of his election support from the African American community (his approval ratings in the Black community are over 90%). Marc Morial actually brought forth a six point plan to create jobs for his constituents, showing that he has a commitment to aggressive and systemic action. Morial is correct that targeted action is necessary to correct the traumatically disproportionate impact that the recession has had on African Americans. When you help Urban America, you are helping Black America, and Morial understands that.
The question that froze the entire crew was asked by Adam Howard of MSNBC's TheGrio.com. Adam asked whether anyone addressed the president's lack of willingness to speak publicly about the severe impact that the recession has had on Black people. Marc Morial took on this question, and he answered it as best he could.
The problem that Black leaders are running into when it comes to getting the president's attention is that many of the issues that have a disproportionate impact on us are actually more related to our being poor than being black. So, any push for targeted economic policy must ultimately be cloaked by references to those with low incomes or in urban communities. One issue with that approach, however, is that even among middle and upper class African Americans, there are still significant disparities that must be acknowledged, and those inequities are not likely going to be addressed by our president.
One of the key points made by the group, with which I agree, is that targeted economic policy endorsed by President Obama cannot be race-based. The Republican party is doing all that it can to obstruct President Obama's progress. Any hints that the president is pandering to a black constituency will likely earn him an even greater degree of hatred from his adversaries. Those tea parties around the country are ultimately fueled by racism, and we know that.
One good thing about the meeting between Sharpton, Morial, Jealous and Obama is that it shows that President Obama is at least, on the surface, allowing certain members of the Black community to come to the table when important legislative decisions are being made. The question at this point is whether or not Obama's talk is going to be backed up by action. At the end of the day, that's all that matters.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (46)
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By: UAPBAlum on 2/10/2010 5:26PM
Have any of these "leaders" Owned a business. I say Talk to African American Business Owners. I didn't know we know the Tea Parties are Racist.
I agree that there are extremes in the group but that can be said about all organizations.
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By: J walker on 2/10/2010 5:49PM
Have you not heard them from their podium this weekend gone, the cheers of agreement when statements of racism was delivered.Wake-up and be real. It is my friend what it is.
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By: Mack on 2/10/2010 5:51PM
I think we need to be real here and address the real issues in the black community. Education, lack of experience and skill in some cases are big problems we have to deal with. Our drop out rates are way to high and work training and experience in some cases are not enough. We need to make a massive effort to change things. Our young people are getting lost and I myself can testify to this. We need more influential people to take charge and set better examples. We see more black rappers, athletes and entertainers then doctors, lawyers, even police officers, plumbers, electricians etc... to me this is a problem. Reason for this is because of the media which mainly white owned. We have to many of our young people going in three directions which are very hard to be successful in and leaving eveything behind. We chase dreams too much instead of reality. For example I myself don't know anyone who knows someone who is a Doctor,neither do my parents so they can't use them as an example for me to follow but in the White, Indian, Asian community these professions are more common. We can't all be Doctors and Lawyers but there other jobs we can do and be successful in. Again our black leader, rappers, athletes and entertainer need to invest in our people for a better future. Let me know what you think.
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By: B Adrine on 2/10/2010 7:46PM
And when we do become doctors and lawyers, we don't want to deal with our own. I have many lawyersand jusges in my family, but they are too busy with their own careers to take time to mentor anyone other than their own immediate families. Therefore, we don't ask them to do anything. Instead we talk to our children and encourage them to make something of themselves. It would be great if when our people made it in life we would do all we can to ensure that we help someoe else, even if it's just one child in our families. This is what other races have over us. They make sure that thier people know what it takes to follow in their footsteps. That's why you see so many doctors, dentists, nurses, etc., who have a whold line of young people to follow them.
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By: B Adrine on 2/10/2010 7:51PM
There were errors in my comment. I ment we have many Lawyers and Judges. Didn't want anyone to think I was too dumb to spell. LOL
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By: hendunc on 2/10/2010 10:47PM
I am surprised that you don't know of a Black doctor. I have only had Black doctors since I was a child, and I am over 55 yrs. I suggest you read more and not depend on television news. Read Black publications (old & new issues). The National Medical Association has a website and you can learn more about this group of Afro American physicians. Black people are radiologist, surgeons, oncologist, health care executives, , pharmacist, and are present in many areas of medicine, business, law, oil and gas etc. Get involved with your community, and research literature about Black life. Expand your horizons. Taking charge starts with you. I am a supporter of President Obama, however I don't feel that enough is being said about the unemployment rate in the Afro American communities. I hear lots of talk about "the middle class family" which we comprise as well. Al Sharpton and others can't do the job alone. Sure Obama should address Black issues ! I never hear the word poor, homeless, etc. even during the campaign. Our stats are higher in this area of life than a few years ago.
If the middle class is hurting... Mr. President....What about Tobacco Road?
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By: Jerelyne Williams on 2/11/2010 2:51PM
As long our schools are set up for failure because of those staid old ideas of the past such as the need for retention of a secure labor force working for minimum wage, many, many schools for minorities will remain in the bayous. The underfunding and rejection of funds go unchallenged. It's always about money. Money can be found when the right the persons or groups or projects asks for it. Therefore, schools remain segregated and are distanced from the mainstream and directed toward the bayous where they have been since quasi-freedom came on the scene. It's like cutting off your legs and condemning you for being crippled. It was common for school board trustees to use discretionary powers to allocate funds. Dare I say more funds were sent to the schools for the wealthy. The way schools are funded today channels the past. Schools at the beginning were always intended for the wealthy; make no bones about it. Blacks knew what learning meant, and because their oppressors knew this, they were lawfully forbidden to read. Challenge the public schools if they don't deliver. State handling of school funding will forever be mired in political forays. Political officials fall back on "States Rights" Sure, but the states are committing "State Wrongs" in their deliverance of sound and fruit education for all their children. As for dependent and poverty stricken families, they play the hand they're dealt, and many survive to keep themselves in the game, while others remain outside.
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By: Siddan on 2/15/2010 12:11AM
Very insightful comments. Want to share with you a few truisms that may be beneficial; Mentoring is very important but instead of the mentor finding you, sometime you have to find the mentor. those who are mentored from high school are the luckiest ones but more often you don't really find that special person who can assist in guiding academic pursuts until you reach the college level. But as a general rule, if you're interested in becoming a doctor or engineer, then you beef up on the sciences and math respectively. If interest is in medicine, take a peek at the MCAT practice test at a book store. As for getting to college, it really is true that anyone who want to go can go to college. If the lack of money is a problem, then concentrate on schools in the mid-west and south. As you probably know, you can pretty much count on being approved for a Pell Grant which provides about $5500 a year. All schools also have a work-study program where you can earn extra money...but to meet the cost of tuition, room and board, it may be necesary to take an off campus job, part-time hopefully. If there's interest in attending, Air Force Academy or similar academies for Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine where all expenses are taken care of, check them out on-line. Appointment are made by your congressman. The military will also pay for medical school and other advance degrees. One other option is the National Institute of Health. Check out their medical school admissions requirements handbook at www.aamc.org ..So, to be realistic, you're not likely to see those doctors or Rappers returning to the community to mentor anyone. they're busy with their own lives. Believe me they made it on their own probably with a mentor furnishing some guidance. It is very important for young people to understand, that only you are responsible you achieving. It's pure myth that in other cultures, they help and nuture each other. I had the privledge of living in Japan and can tell you that over there, the kids seeking acceptance in the better colleges are very competitive with each other to point of a dog eat dog type world. So lets be clear. you don't need more people with influence taking an interest. It all on you. If you want it bad enough, you can do it...just buckle down and take every advance science course available and resolve to be in the top percentage of those taking the class. I agree with a point you made that everybody can't be a doctor. So, for those looking to train for a good trade, take a look at programs offered at www.jobcorps.gov ...Training and room and board is free and availing up to 24 years of age. Let me close-out by reiterating that anybody who want to go to college or to learn a trade can do so. All it takes is getting on the computer, finding out the specific requirements and taking hold of the reins of personal responsibility and just doing it. Best of luck Mack.
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By: pat on 2/15/2010 12:20AM
Mack i agree,for some reason seems to me ,for some reason education is purposely kept from black students,like everone goes out of there way to make sure that these kids do not get educated.i say with an education we must really be bad(sorry i missed it)however why don't jeaalous and sharpton go to mr.Perry,?and not to the president,i wonder do anybody want them to be SMART?.....peace!
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By: Nancy S on 2/10/2010 5:55PM
What do you think people would have said if President Kennedy pandered to Catholics? There would have been outrage. A president should serve equally all his people, not just those in his race or religion.
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