VIDEO: MICHEAL ERIC DYSON VS. PRESIDENT OBAMA

I understand Dr. Dyson's dilemma. On the one hand, we are "very proud"of the first African American President of the USA. On the other hand, we want him to be the President of Black America.

The game hasn't changed. One very smart Black politician has learned how to play it better than his opponents -- at a perfect moment in history to achieve what he achieved. It is not necessary to recount all the dynamics of his ascendency. The 97% of us Blacks who voted for him are properly proud of his position.

Often, some commentators suggest that our vote was more important than other votes. He won 2% more Black votes than any Democratic candidate would have received. So, most of us just stayed the Democratic course. I thought I would throw that in there.

The important thng for me about Dr. Dyson's comments is that he acknowledges that one person sitting in the White House cannot do much, but at the same time he complains about the number of cabinet appointments, the failure to speak up for the "Black issue of the day," or disappointment with the "rising tide lifts all ships" comment in response to the BET Reporter. There was no BET Reporter asking questions at any other Presdential press conference. There wano White House reporter at Essence, and Ebony. If there were any before, they never got to ask a question on national TV. So, we have to measure our progress one step at a time, while continuing to demand more.

What I think is lost is the enormous opportunity for Black people to be bolder about our agenda -- not complaints about handouts, but our "positive 21st century agenda." Where is the CBC? Where are Black educators? Where are Black community leaders? Where is the "thought leadership" in the Black community?

I have seen some very good, specific proposals, that need attention at the local, state, and federal level. There needs to be more. Politics is a game of advocacy. Frederick Douglass taught us that more than 100 years ago -- "Power concedes nothing without a demand..."

As Craig mentioned in his commentary, if we play our cards right, we will have 8 years to affect some big changes. Ther will be more appointments to the Supreme Court; there will be 7 more new budgets; there will be 3 more House and Senate elections; we can get more for our demands with a Black mn in the White House -- if we get our act together.

Dyson should know this; Sharpton should know this; the CBC definitely knows this; 650 African American Mayors across the United States know this. Barack Obama saved more Democratic seats with campaign appearances as a junior enator than anyone before him. How many new positions of power can he influence as President? We need to wake up and learn how to take advantage of the power he has.

The kind of petty demands and complaints that are surfacing reveal a lack of understanding of how much of a difference that people like Dr. Dson can really make. Perhaps too many of us are still more concerned about our 15 minutes of fame, and not the full extent which we can leverage this history-making achievement.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!

Roger Madison
www.izania.com

Dyson is irritating! And he doesn't have his fact straight. And the sad thing is that people who don't know better and will not do the research to counteract his many misstatements (non-facts rather). He should be ashamed of himself. This was pathetic.

Blessings...

Roger, this summed it up, Ithink:

"The kind of petty demands and complaints that are surfacing reveal a lack of understanding of how much of a difference that people like Dr. Dson can really make. Perhaps too many of us are still more concerned about our 15 minutes of fame, and not the full extent which we can leverage this history-making achievement. "

And that bill especially fits Mr. Dyson right now.

Blessings...