I am honored and delighted to introduce FOTM readers to a guest columnist today, Lavelle, the author of the book Dirty Laundry Coloreds and Whites (iUniverse, 2012).
Lavelle is a FOTM reader and commenter. Lavelle is also that very rare black American who did not vote for Barack Obama in either 2008 (4%) or 2012 (6%). In the essay to follow, Lavelle explains why. (His bio follows the essay)
~Eowyn
Why I did not vote for Barack Obama and do not believe that he is the first Black President of the United States.
By Lavelle
Let me start by saying that politically; I was not or am not your typical inner city Black American. My father was not a Democrat, although my mother was and the views and opinions that I heard in my home varied as far as politics and social issues were concerned. I am not a believer like so many black Americans that the Democratic Party is the party for black people. I consider the Democratic Party to be the slave-masters party, as southern plantation owners were majority Democrats. I further believe that the Democratic Party keeps blacks at the bottom of the social and economic ladder by giving a majority of black’s excuses, and someone to blame for the social and economic ills that affect so many in this country. Meanwhile those who preach this rhetoric prosper, while far too many blacks blame the Republicans for their problems. In my community, most blacks think and are taught to believe that only the Republican Party are for the rich and that only Democrats are for poor people. It’s this thought process that designate blacks to master’s party until death do us part. Politically, socially, and economically the black majority is still slaves, only it is a mental slavery, not physical. What a great leisure it must be for the Democratic Party that no matter how bad things are for many black families and black communities, at election time, rain, sleet or snow; the party can guarantee that the majority of the black race will vote Democratic.
I wasn’t one of those who felt history was being made when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States in 2008. My thoughts were more in the line of; why now? And that the Democratic Party, with Barack Obama up front would make people believe that things would be better than the George W. Bush years. Especially black people, who constantly complained that Bush was a racist, and that it was his fault that people are poor, and losing their jobs and homes. I tried to warn people that the “Change” that was heard over and over again would not be the kind of changes that many expected. And that more than likely, the shit was going to hit the fan, and things would get much worse in this country. Unemployment is still high, jobs are still being shipped overseas, and government wants more control of our lives. The end of don’t ask, don’t tell in the military, gay marriage, and immigration reform for illegal immigrants are issues at the forefront in Obama’s Presidency. But he tells the pitiful blacks, some who actually believed that Obama was a testament to Dr. King’s dream, that he can’t have a black agenda because he is the President of all of America, not just black America. It didn’t matter though, because in 2012 blacks once again came out in droves to vote for Obama’s re-election and once again Democrats have shown that they are the Master. While the black majority showed once again that they are slaves and victims as Mitt Romney stated.
I may be the only member of my family and only a handful of those in the community who did not vote for Obama in 2012. In 2008 I may have been the only one who didn’t vote for him. I was always taught that the President isn’t the person in charge, that big business and rich powerful white men control the office of the President, the entire country and world for that matter. But that for me is normal, and it’s not much that can be done about this fact. However, I can control who I am conned or deceived by. Therefore I will not be deceived by President Obama, the first lady Michelle Obama (I had hoped that she was real and not a phony), Eric Holder or Oprah, black public officials, or so called black leaders. The truth of the matter is, most of our so called black leaders, especially the Democrats are merely gate-keeping individuals whose real intent is to maintain the status quo for the rich and powerful. The gate-keepers and status will most certainly change, but what about the rest of the people? What will the black majority do, probably whatever the Democratic Party wants them to do? In the meantime, I will be waiting on the first black President. Yes I know that the President is for all the people, not a particular group. But is President Obama gay? Is President Obama a Latino or illegal immigrant? I know that the bullet riddled south side streets of Chicago and the young people there would love to hear from the First black President, you know, Chicago’s own Barack Obama. Don’t count on it or hold your breath though.
****
Lavelle was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago. He works as a broker and dispatcher for a company in Chicago owned by an accomplished black American. Lavelle has held an interest in politics and who the players were since the early 1980s. His family members and friends have held political seats on a local and state level, and have helped to shape his views on issues that relate to politics.
In his book Dirty Laundry Coloreds and Whites, Lavelle presents his personal view of race relations in the world and how these relations have affected both the black and white culture. Through a series of essays, Lavelle describes the current state of black culture, examines the elements that have caused the erosion of the black community, and describes what the future holds for black Americans. Dirty Laundry presents Lavelle’s thoughts on array of topics relevant to the black community: Race issues in the world Segregation versus integration Black social and cultural issues The role of the police and the justice system in the black world Parents and crime Athletes and sports While sharing his opinions and views, Lavelle suggests actions that can be taken that would improve the future for both black Americans and the United States as a whole.
Amazon offers a Kindle edition of Dirty Laundry Coloreds and Whites for only $3.99!
~Eowyn