The Story Behind A Touching White House Photo
Find Your Swimsuit Confidence
I saw news of the event everywhere. Most interesting was the image of President Obama dancing with Michelle and his kids with Stevie Wonder, Smokie Robinson, Jamie Foxx and John Legend crooning in the background. The president, who appeared to be doing his best, had the stiffness of a corpse, and the posture of a 92-year old woman, but the nation appreciated his effort.
"Interesting," I thought to myself. "The president is a really bad dancer, but I'm impressed that he can shake his butt to Motown while simultaneously dealing with the most complex foreign policy matters known to man. The man is really focused."
In addition to giving the president credit for at least trying to boogey to the music around him, I also wondered why the White House had worked so hard to promote their Motown event. This email, like many others before it, focused on things that appeared to be symbolic, rather than substantive matters in the lives of black people. Sure, we all love Motown, without a doubt. But in light of the fact that black unemployment continues to be in the double digits, and with the White House's insistence upon ignoring people of color on almost every relevant policy issue imaginable, it is ironic that the one time the administration is willing to publicly claim a concern for our existence is when we are dancing for them at the White House.
Yes, I have to say that I was a wee bit insulted. I can hear one of Obama's advisors saying, "Yes, black people love to dance and sing. Let's get some images of the president dancing to Motown music. That will make them believe that we're on their side for sure!"
After the Obama Administration finishes jamming to the beats and rhythms of Detroit, perhaps they will have the same sense of urgency when dealing with the horrifically high unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy rates of Detroit (which are far worse than the national average, even among black people). After that, I am hopeful that the administration will send me another email stating that they've decided to declare a state of emergency to save all of the failing public schools in Detroit and every other urban area around the United States. Our horrible school systems and economic inequality are a fundamental violation of our human rights, and as our president is given permission to celebrate Motown, he must also be given permission to deal with real racial inequality in America.
I saw last week that the Obama Administration took a very bold legal position on gay rights, effectively stating that they would stop defending a law that bars gay marriage. The gay community applauded the move loudly, for their president and attorney general had stood by them in their time of need. All the while, black people are facing the highest bankruptcy, jobless, incarceration and high school drop out rates in the United States, yet our president appeases us by dancing next to Stevie Wonder. I love Stevie and I love Motown, but I also love the black people who are struggling to pay their rent. Given that Obama Administration officials have not even uttered the words "black man," or "black woman" in any meaningful public forum, I find myself wondering whether their love for black people goes deeper than the fact that we can sing. In that regard, the White House has become The Cotton Club all over again, with a black man in charge instead of a white one.
After the Motown show, there is another song the president might want to learn by Beyonce Knowles, called "Say my name." If the Obama Administration wants to show that the president's Motown event is anything more than Bill Clinton playing the saxophone on the Arsenio Hall Show, they should say our names in public and make historic racial inequality into a national issue. There is no better time to do this than during Black History Month and no president better equipped to lead the charge than the man who's been (perhaps incorrectly) compared with Dr. Martin Luther King. I will be carefully reviewing my next email from The White House to see if it contains anything more than the typical song and dance, but for some reason, I doubt that it will.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here. 
Comments: (245)
Add a comment
By: Zoe Moon on 2/26/2011 11:00AM
AS a black woman who just turned 40. I was not offended at all. I was happy to see the President enjoying himself along with his family. This man works his butt off and has content with a bunch of ignorant individuals in the Republican Party and the Tea Party. President Obama just can't win when it comes to what he is doing in the White House. So if he want to have an event where he can bring Motown to the White House so we can remember fantastic artists. Great! Motown music should be appreciated and celebrated just like had the country music individuals perform there as well.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Birdena on 2/26/2011 11:11AM
Are you serious, god can the man enjoy himself for one minute with out having to be scrutinized for everything. It was music, not a political statement! Get a life.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sir topham hat on 2/26/2011 11:25AM
I'm confused? How is this embarassing to us as a people? Who cares if President Obama cannot dance! Motown Inc. was created and operated by one of us and to suggest that by celebrating the legacy of Motown in the White House is somewhat embarassing. Amazing!
With Bill Clinton getting a blow job as the seating President embarassing to white america? Hell no, so why is there some suggestion that this president should be embarassed by celebrating Motown.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Pink on 2/27/2011 8:44AM
Personally I'm tired of all the negative comments about President Obama, and the First Lady (Michelle). The man has a lot on his plate and is bound to make a mistake or two (like we all do). Besides most young people don't know who most of the old Motown stars, writers, entertainers, etc. are anyway. If ur not a rapper most young folks could care less. For the record the old school Motown artist would put these young kids 2 shame when it comes to real talent.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Zora on 2/26/2011 11:59AM
Boyce, take that stick out of your AZZ! You are a whiner and complainer of EVERYTHING! So, because there's unemployment and other major issues going, he should not engage in celebrating Motown?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: jambajan on 2/26/2011 10:27PM
I do not think, in the memory of those living in this country, that a president has faced a more toxic and acerbic climate as the one we are in today. While Obama's predecessor was permitted to bungle his presidency with misrepresentations and ill-contrived agendas, President Obama is skewered for EVERYTHING he does to help this country. That is not to say that he should never be criticized under any circumstance (I think he is doing a horrible job of pushing transparency and accountability in the current administration), but please give us all a break. The man hosted a celebration for Black History Month. If he did not, he would have been blasted for alienating himself from his own people.
On another note, I grow very tired of those of us who are constantly looking for the next Messiah-- or writing about President Obama as if he is one. One came and died here two thousand years ago (if you actually believe what you hear in church). However, that Messiah expects you to TRY to do the right thing. Exercise good stewardship with your finances, educate yourself and your children, and obey the laws of this country. Don't turn your back on family and friends who stumble in an out of the penal system or struggle financially. Stop supporting toxic depictions of your people (Tyler Perry has gotten rich off of our self hatred yet how many of us find him to be "insulting"). Take pride in the appearance of your home and community. Start with these things. If you still cannot get ahead then it is time to take stock of the resources you continue to rely on and make some changes.
I pray for all of us everyday because I know that some are truly at their wits end. But for this writer to suggest that one person is somehow completely responsible for an epidemic or the ills that have plagued the black community for decades is preposterous. To suggest that President Obama is insulting us for trying to honor a month dedicated to representing our achievements and progress is idiotic. I would also add that if we want this nation to achieve color blindness, we shouldn't give credence to voices that suggest a black president is obligated to pay particular attention to the black community when so many others-- regardless of race-- are suffering just as much.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: eldohill on 2/26/2011 12:36PM
I did not see the performance except bits on the News, however I understand that President Obama is not perfect and I feel that he need to pay a little more attention to African American situations, but he is the president of the united states not the president of African American people, he has his hands full and a mound of obstacles to tackle every day, but I feel that now is not the time for us ( African Americans) to desert him, we need to be together and stand strong especially for the oncoming wave of republican rule that is stripping away all the programs that effect us as a people, while we all may not agree on how president Obama is governing now is not the time t to demonize him and his way of governing, I ask where were you when things were getting this way under bush and his cronies and the republican rule, but the ironic part about the whole thing is either you voted the republicans back in control or did not vote at all enabling the republicans to gain control, yes unemployment is high among African Americans but it didn’t happen overnight, it was happening under bush and the republican rule before Obama took office, where were your voices then. If you think it’s bad now, if President Obama is voted out of office in 2012 and the republicans take control of the senate, it is really going to get bad and if we as a people don't stand strong and together by paying attention to the issues and getting involved and above all getting out and vote, even if it is "raining, snowing or cold" you have nobody to blame but yourself. finally I want to say, don't be hoodwinked by black people that have been bought by the republicans to divide us as a people and take our minds off the real issues, there are a lot of them out there, we are but a few African Americans that are trying to make a good life, there are a very few well off African Americans who have the mentality that I got mine now you get yours, they don't look back they side with the republicans to keep what they have. I myself am weighing all options for 2012 elections but one thing I am damn sure of is that I will not now nor never support republicans nor for what they stand for, and the tea party, they are nothing but republicans anyway.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ellie on 2/26/2011 12:39PM
Dr. Boyce needs to get a REAL job and get out of "victimization" business.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Agent2k38 on 2/26/2011 12:44PM
I dont think it was insulting. I believe religiously that Obama has no place for blacks in his administration. Obama has the whitest administraiton which clearly does not reflect what America looks like. He has only two blacks in his cabinet both whom where ex clintonites. Oh forget, Obama is the worst voting decision blacks have made.......I pray that black people arent dooped into casting another vote for him. He's nothing and continues to show he doesnt care.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: sparky on 2/26/2011 1:38PM
ok get your info right---all wrong-----anyways this is a people thing not a color thing
Report This