Some are saying that this is a historical high for blacks in America. Well, that may be true but I’d like to think its just the beginning. I hope we’ve reached a point where black kids turn away from the fantasy of being a hip hop star or a basketball player and instead realize that blacks can succeed from the corner office to… well, you know where.
I’m optimistic.
One of the good things about the Obamas. I think we all should admit that.
One of the great phrases of the election: “the FIRST black president…” implying, natürliche, lots more to follow. Even given the inevitable disappointments with Obama, (I have some already, ie, DOJ’s positions on wiretapping legislation and lawsuits), I’d hate to be the second. He’s setting the bar pretty high. Can you imagine hearing, “You’re good, but you’re no Obama.”
Interesting. To me, it feels like African-Americans are at historic lows, but I live in Oakland, California so my perspective might be a bit different.
Can you imagine hearing, “You’re good, but you’re no Obama.”
Kind of like Jesus’s brother.
“Kind of like Jesus’s brother.”
Better than George Bush Sr.’s son, let’s hope.
I’ve been using this argument for a while. Roughly: if you aim at playing in the NBA, and get to 18 or 19 and haven’t’ been signed to a team, you’re pretty much screwed (unless an overseas team/league picks you up). If you aim at running for the Senate or House, if you’re not in the running by 35 or 40, you’ve still got a skill set (e.g., law degree, experience in local gov’t, etc) that can be used for a wide variety of things.
Also, if you count your own state’s legislature, House and Senate, there are more jobs available in that economic sector than the NBA and NFL combined; add in high-ranking staff members and think-tank sinecures, and there’s no comparison.
Can you imagine hearing, “You’re good, but you’re no Obama.”
As in Clarence Thomas following Thurgood Marshall.
Also, if you count your own state’s legislature, House and Senate, there are more jobs available in that economic sector than the NBA and NFL combined;
And you could play in the NBA or the NFL and STILL go into politics. Very seldom the other way round.
“As in Clarence Thomas following Thurgood Marshall.”
Ouch! Let’s hope the American electorate never stoops THAT low. Oh, wait…
I agree with Z_adura. Obama is a real feel good story but at the end of the day it’s one Obama up against the music industry and sports. Can anyone even name twelve black millionaires that aren’t in sports or the entertainment industry off the top of their head without going to the internet for help?
1 Obama is worth about 500 Kobe Bryants. I don’t think its possible for non-black Americans to get the realignment of thinking this has caused for black Americans.
Everyone was happy for the brother and purchased a picture of him to hang next to their MLK picture, but it’s still B.A.U (Business As Usual) for the black community. Perception equals reality. When a black kid sees a millionaire black person on TV or in print, nine times out of ten it is going to be an athlete or entertainer.