Frederick Harris Attack Not Grounded in Reality
Posted: 06/05/2012 6:25 pm
Last week, Professor Frederick Harris penned an op-ed in the Washington Post lampooning President Obama's commitment to the African American community and made the slanderous claim that we are "Still Waiting For The First Black President."
Harris' main thrust stems from a belief that the President has abandoned the African American community and pursued a "racially defused electoral and governing strategy" for political expediency. He cites an apparent lack of focus from the President on a range of issues including reform of the criminal justice system, addressing the foreclosure crisis, black unemployment, and HIV/AIDS.
But the distortions and omissions of the President's record from a professor at an esteemed university were so egregious that the column begs its readers to question whether the author is merely trying to boost sales of his upcoming book.
For example, Professor Harris claims that President Obama failed to reform the criminal justice system. But he omitted any mention of the Fair Sentencing Act signed into law by the President that reduces sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine from 100-to-1 to 18-to-1. He failed to mention that the Obama Administration settled the longstanding Pigford II litigation, fought laws aimed at restricting access to the ballot box, and investigated the Trayvon Martin shooting -- just to name a few.
Harris conveniently dismissed the President's effort to save the American auto industry - an industry that has propelled thousands of African American families into the middle class. At the time, Mitt Romney said we should just "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt." But the President bet on the American worker, and thanks to his leadership, thousands of African Americans are getting back to work.
Throughout the past three years, President Obama has been focused on building an economy that is built to last. And in spite of the obstacles, the economy is making progress and each month, more and more Americans, and African Americans are getting back to work.
Not only did he secure the payroll tax cut putting $800 back into the average family's pocket, but he also expanded the Child Tax Credit, and African American small business owners have had access to $4 billion in low-interest loans through the Minority Business Development Agency. In fact, 21 percent of loans included in the Small Business Jobs Act have gone to minority-owned businesses, helping them create jobs for African Americans.
Despite a stubborn housing market, President Obama has taken action through the Making Home Affordable program to help homeowners across the country avoid foreclosure, reduce their monthly payments, refinance loans, or get help if their home is under water. This is real progress, and African-American families are finally starting to see some relief.
And President Obama understands the plight HIV and AIDS has had on the African-American community. That's why he has aggressively fought to reduce the number of HIV infections, committed an additional $15 million for HIV clinics and $35 million for state AIDS-drug assistance programs, and set a goal that many once thought was impossible decades ago: an AIDS-free generation.
Let's not forget that this President pushed for and signed the Affordable Care Act, which improved access to health care for all Americans. Thanks to his determination, 7 million African Americans currently living without health insurance will get the coverage they need, and nearly a quarter of African Americans will no longer be denied access to health insurance because of a pre-existing condition.
But the most outrageous part of Professor Harris' column is his attempt to pit the African American and gay community against one another. It simply has no place in our politics and distracts from the real work that we have to do.
While the President may have been elected by 53 percent of the country, he is responsible for fighting for 100 percent of the country, regardless of their party affiliation, race, gender, or sexuality and there is nothing disingenuous about waging that fight.
But after taking stock of all that President Obama has achieved in the face of almost unanimous opposition by a hostile Republican party, you can see why some African Americans are doing a little "cheerleading." And given the tremendous struggle for equal rights that spanned generations, it's not surprising that African Americans would be proud of electing the first black President.
Now, the American people, and African Americans in particular, face a real choice in November. It's a choice between a "severely conservative" Republican nominee with empty rhetoric or a President who has delivered since day one and delivered for not just African Americans, but for all Americans.
Barack Obama has never forgotten who he is or where he came from. He has fought every single day to improve the livelihood and well-being of the African-American community. And in a second term, he'll only build on the monumental achievements of his first term.
We have our first black President, his name is President Barack Obama, let's start paying attention to what he is doing -- for all of us.
Michael Nutter is the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia is the Largest American City with an African American Mayor
02:55 PM on 06/11/2012
Though I like Pres. O, I have to agree with Prof. Harris. Pres, started his visits to the black communities after three years of living in the WH. He addressed all the other issues, i.e. gay, latino, Israel, war, etc. before every attempting to sit and talk with blacks. I personally don't care if he wins or loses that time around.
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09:46 PM on 06/05/2012
Mr Mayor, your article makes you " a real team player " , perhaps your fishing for a cabinet post in the next term! . As I read this, you mention that the President investigated the Treyvon Martin case, I think there are much more important things in the world going on that The President does not need to get involved in a teens shooting. A very simple, here's so in so, FBI director, he's now in charge, please direct all questions to him, would have convinced me he was concerned! How many other president's were concerned enough to investigate any other teens murder. You also seem very bias to the African-American community and how the president has done so many great things to benefit the African-American community, the problem I have with your article, African-Americans are only one piece of the big melting pot, and word on the street is his support will not come out in the fall. Americans come in all colors, and you must admit to your readers, that the president should be the peoples president, not just what he's done for African-Americans and the African American community. We are all Americans, and our President needs to keep that in mind. I realize this post is targeted for African-American voters, I'm just shocked you would write such a racially biased opinion, based on your position.
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03:28 AM on 06/11/2012
I've voted for Obama four years ago. And did a 60 second vocal soundtrack promoting his candicacy on radio. Since then i've learned quite a lot. What are we really talking about when we say he's not doing enough? Doing enough for hiv/Aids? Are we meaning let the scientific community whose voices have been supressed speak and provide evidence for all the clear evidence that's coming out on the issue of Hiv/Aids ? Or are we saying provide more toxic drugs rather then nutrional foods, clean water, promoting non drug use, & clean enviroments that would surely sustain life as intended? Lacking these essentials causes Hiv/Aids. And in fact, what Hiv/Aids is. Where's this epidemic that happened over twenty years ago? Shouldn't we have been dropping like flies like with past epidemics? Hmmm! And because these issues and noble prize winning scientist are silenced tells me alot about how things work. What can anyone say to me that stand behind people in power who's committing crimes against hummanity? Nothing! Nothing's credible to me from anyone who won't even make mentions of clear evidence. On every front! This a black voice! But for all voices of human kind.
02:10 PM on 06/10/2012
I f any one thought Pres. Obama would get elected and everything would change immediately, they are living in some alternate universe. Do these people think black America would be better off with McCain in office. Let's see, the war in Iraq would still be going on and blacks AND whites would still be dieing. Are people forgetting what Mitch McConnell said? His number one goal would be to make Pres. Obama a once term president. The republican from SC disrespecting him during the State of the Union by yelling out "You lie!". A lesser man would have folder with all the attacks he has weathered. I am proud to call him my president if no one else will do it. Let Fredrick Harris, Tavis Smiley, Cornell West, etc. criticize. What have they done except to try and exploit this hate on the right by selling books. I wrote an email to Prof. Harris at his Yahoo and Columbia University accounts and asked him to donate the proceeds of his book to the NAACP. I listen for his announcement to prove he is not just after the money. After all, with blacks doing so badly they will not be able to afford his book.
07:58 AM on 06/08/2012
Obama and his cabinet are smart people, however, Obama has done more harm to African Americans than good. I am sure the people of Philadelphia are not better off since Obama became president since Obama has continued to undermine the family. And strong families are what makes neighborhoods safer, schools more effective, relationships stronger, less drug sells and abuse, better employment and business opportunities, better health, better HIV control, and fewer abortions. Obama has been a strong advocate for women and gays, but has shown no interest in helping men. What that means is the percentage of fatherless children before Obama's election is most likely the same or increased. Therefore Obama continues family destructive child support enforcement policies and further destroys the family by approving of same sex marriage. Same sex marriage leaves manhood out of the family entirely because same sex men act like women and same sex women are only women. Where do our children learn to respect the men, women and children traditional family with Obama's policies? "What profiteth a community to gain the whole world and lose its families?" No, we do not have our first black president. We have our first black woman president. Michelle Obama is the real leader. Obama has never forgotten his non-father roots. And his anti-father policies are the proof.
02:24 PM on 06/10/2012
Do you people never stop? Anti-father makes me LOL. You don't think of him as good husband, loving father, loving son and grandson? You think Pres. of the Harvard Review says anything? You don't think he cares about men stopping the war in Iraq? You think HIS order to taken out OBL or other terrorists demonstrates anything? I get it, you want to question his manhood, don't you? Hmm, what's more manly - golf or basketball? Maybe you think Trump or Romney are tough guys? Why hasn't these great white men or their sons served in the military? I have only one question I want you and your kind to answer. Is he a better president than George W.? Answer that and I'll see how "fair and balanced" your are!
12:32 AM on 06/11/2012
Obama before he was nominated used his podium to bash men, especially black men. All of his efforts are to ignore the needs of men and even increase child support enforcement. Families are already fatherless and he wants to continue policies that push fathers farther away from children. And why doesn't he respond to Shared Parenting Legislation? All of his support is behind women and gays. It is no surprise he supports gay marriage. Gays know he is their special president. It is not about his personal orientation or manhood. It is about what he supports. George Bush did not get the endorsement of blacks. The question is what has Obama done for blacks? He is continuing the destruction of our families.
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11:14 AM on 06/07/2012
Why not ask Black American people - HOW THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LAST 4 YEARS? A Democratic elected official is not sufficient for this conversation. Clearly, Republicans are not qualified to define President Obama for Black Americans. Black Americans have their own ideas of what Obama means to their livelihood 
01:03 AM on 06/07/2012
Barack Obama has never forgotten who he is or where he came from. He has fought every single day to improve the livelihood and well-being of the African-American community.????? Fought whom and won what,that is nothing but hyperbole,and Mike you should worry more about Killadelphia.
03:52 PM on 06/06/2012
We just took another hit in our 401k Friday. Why doesn't he ask congress and the senate to repeal Gramm-Leach-Biley Act. This law is not good for America. That's why Glass-Seagall Act was put into law in 1933 to prevent another Great Depression which happened in 1929. What about the single payer healthcare option. He went behind closed doors and made deals with the very groups who are exploiting the healthcare system, the insurance and pharmacuetical companies.
03:52 PM on 06/06/2012
Who knew he would be a warmonger, talking that same terrorist propaganda nonsense as those that came before him. What about his choice for the World Bank position, she should have been chosen because she was most qualified and could really help Africa and other poor countries, but he didn't. What about Israels Aparthied against the Palestinians. If Aparthied wasn't good for Black SAfricans and Jim Crow not good for Blacks in America then it shouldn't be happening to the Palestinians. His lie to the American public about NATO's mission being a humanitarian mission to Libya. It was a regeime change. He threw Rev Wright over, under and through the bus just to satisfy people who don't want to hear the truth. That was a teachable moment, but no he ran away from any Black person the some feel is a threat. I'm going to vote for him only because he is the lesser of two evils. But I am no longer a fan. He's hustling people just like the rest of the politicans are. He is no different. Hope and Change, really?Obama assumes that Black people don't pay attention to politics and what he's doing. Some of us are Mr. President and we don't like what we see!
06:34 AM on 06/07/2012
Vote for Romney? Stay home? you sound so out of touch with reality. It's about time minorities and others move into the real world and unless you are privy to the same information as POTUS and have 360 million people who safty and opportunities for well being are on your shoulders, be less critical and more analytical.
04:25 PM on 06/11/2012
"Who knew he would be a warmonger,"Well, he did CAMPAIGN on getting tougher in Afghanistan. Not that I imagine most of the people who voted for him paid much attention to anything he said, but still.
This was the first time in a long time I've read the phrase "teachable moment" used in a non-ironic sense.
