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FrenchieCat

(68,868 posts)
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 07:12 PM Feb 2016

today, I was asked what has Pres. Obama ever done for the African-American Community

This discussion thread is pinned.

Last edited Sat Feb 6, 2016, 10:49 PM - Edit history (1)

This list is long and not all encompassing. Please feel free to add to it, so that I can have a more complete list.

Apart from getting rid of "No Child Left Behind", Liberating our Gay Brother and Sisters from a life of discrimination and on a Federal level, as well as the work done by Michelle in relation to school lunch nutrition and her "The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.", as well as her Let's Move campaign.....

and let us not forget, just rescuing the economy in general, and did it without any Republican help!

But most important of all, he has represented the African-American community superbly in how he has carried out his duties in the office, coming off as one of the most blemish free administration in recent history! And don't get me started with the role models that Michelle and the girls have been! Personally, I couldn't asked for better!


This is my partial list:


1) Passed Health Care Reform (Affordable Care Act)

More than 19 percent of African Americans did not have health care. When the highly debated health care reform bill was signed into law in March of 2010, millions of African Americans benefited. The ACA is Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: The Affordable Care Act moves toward eliminating disparities that African Americans currently face both in their health and in their health care by investing in data collection and research about health disparities. The law also promotes increased racial and ethnic diversity of health care professionals and strengthens cultural competency training among health care providers. Building upon these provisions in the Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched two strategic plans aimed at reducing health disparities


2) Expanded Funding For HBCUs

President Obama signed an executive order increasing funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to $850 million over the next 10 years. The funding is being administered through the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities that was, ironically, started by the late Ronald Reagan.


3) Awarded $1.2 Billion To Black Farmers

President Obama’s administration oversaw the $1.2 billion settlement awarded to Black farmers who have been denied loans and assistance by the Agricultural Dept. for decades.

4) Signed The Crack Cocaine Bill (Fair Sentencing Act)
Crack users are disproportionately sentenced to longer jail terms than those who use powder. This unfair sentencing practice punished African Americans more severely than their white counterparts. With the signing of the Fair Sentencing Act, though, President Obama narrowed that disparity significantly.


5) Created The Civil Rights Division Of The Justice Department
The U.S. Justice Department is leading one of the most aggressive defenses of civil rights in recent memory. Whether it is clamping down on Arizona for its bias against Latinos or fighting unjust state voter ID laws, this Justice Department has been fully engaged in fighting for the rights of all minorities. When President Obama chose Eric Holder to lead the department, he picked a true champion of civil rights. For a rundown of how powerful the Civil Rights Division has become.


6) Set up "My Brother's Keeper", an organization that seeks to promote and help implement a coherent cradle-to-college-and-career strategy for improving the life outcomes of all young people to ensure that they can reach their full potential, regardless of who they are, where they come from, or the circumstances into which they are born.


7) Introduced the Modification loan program, that helped millions of African-Americans save their home during the Housing Crash.


8) Reduced unemployment by creating millions of jobs all over America. In addition, wages have increased in many sectors of all job areas.


9) Saved the Auto Industry in Detroit, Michigan, thereby again saving thousand if not millions of jobs in the industry and all of those directly connected to it. An industry know to employ large numbers of African Americans.


10) Appointed a large number of African-American to Judicial posts throughout the United States. Named two Black Attorney Generals of the United States, back to back.


11) Via Executive Order, established a White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.
Providing a complete and competitive education for all Americans – from cradle to career – a top priority. The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans works across Federal agencies and with partners and communities nationwide to produce a more effective continuum of education programs for African American students. The Initiative aims to ensure that all African American students receive an education that fully prepares them for high school graduation, college completion, and productive careers.

12) Help lower Gas prices, which has a direct impact on all Americans, including African-Americans

13) Provided Tax Relief for African American Families: In December 2010, the President signed a bipartisan tax cut agreement that not only secured vital tax relief and investments for our workers, but is also creating jobs and accelerating economic growth. Building off the Recovery Act, the tax agreement extended key expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) that are benefitting an estimated 2.2 million African American families.

14) Expanded Access to Federal Contracting for Minority-Owned Businesses
: More than 20 Cabinet and Senate-confirmed Obama Administration officials have participated in 19 small business matchmaking events around the country, which has helped more than 10,000 small, minority- and women-owned businesses by promoting access to capital and access to Federal government contracting opportunities. These efforts are part of the President’s broader agenda to support small businesses, including his signing of 17 small business tax cuts into law and taking action to expand access to credit.

15) Established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and in so doing, protected Families from Financial Abuses, Hidden Fees, and Deceptive Practices: Too many responsible African Americans have paid the price for an outdated regulatory system that has left families without adequate protections against financial abuses and deceptive practices. That’s why President Obama fought to overcome a furious lobbying campaign by big banks to pass the most far reaching Wall Street reform in history which created the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), to prevent mortgage companies, credit card lenders, and payday loan companies from exploiting consumers with hidden fees and other deceptive practices.

16) Improved the Quality of Education and Expanding Access to College: President Obama has improved the quality of education – particularly in our lowest-performing schools – and has expanded access to college because every child deserves an education that equips them with the skills to find a good-paying job and succeed in the workforce.

17) Fixing Our Lowest-Performing Schools: The Obama Administration has dedicated to challenge states and districts to transform the lowest-performing schools in America. School Improvement Grants have provided millions per school for 1,000 schools to change them into safe environments where students can learn.


18) Helped Students Pay For College:
By re-directing subsidies from private lenders to students, the Administration has already raised the maximum Pell Grant awards and increased the number of Pell Grant recipients . Also, for families struggling with the cost of college, we have created the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)—a partially refundable tax credit worth up to $10,000 over four years of college.

19) Strengthening Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Community Colleges: The student loan reform bill signed by President Obama provided $2 billion for community colleges and other eligible institutions of higher education to improve education and career training programs.

20) Transformed Distressed areas through Choice Neighborhoods: The Choice Neighborhoods program provided $126 million to 22 communities to plan and implement the transformation of high-poverty areas where distressed HUD-assisted housing is . The Recovery Act provided $7 billion in funding to communities to manage the vacant and foreclosed residential properties that are creating blight and bringing down local home values.

21) Ensuring Access to Healthy Food: The Administration is committed to ensuring families have access to healthy food through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. Several food retailers have agreed to build or expand over 1,500 grocery stores in underserved communities.


22) Combatted Racial Discrimination:
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is vigorously enforcing the law to combat racial discrimination in schools, housing, and the workplace. President Obama provided two years of double-digit budget increases to the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, which was previously hamstrung by drastic budget cuts. DOJ has also reached three multi-million dollar settlements, including the largest rental discrimination and fair lending settlements in its history.

23) Proposed to provide two years of free community-college tuition to students who maintain good grades.

24) Deal with Iran counts, since nukes do not discriminate about where they land

25) Climate change pledge in Paris
, because again, if the general population is positively affected, then the Black Population is affected 10X fold, as we know.

26) Restrictions on distribution of military-style equipment to police
, banning local police departments from receiving a range of military-style equipment from the federal government -- from grenade launchers to bayonets to certain armored vehicles -- as he implements the recommendations of a panel that examined the controversial gear giveaways in the wake of the Ferguson riots.

47 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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today, I was asked what has Pres. Obama ever done for the African-American Community (Original Post) FrenchieCat Feb 2016 OP
Yeah but.... sharp_stick Feb 2016 #1
Message auto-removed Name removed Aug 2017 #45
With the haters, that not GOOD ENOUGH Iliyah Feb 2016 #2
Some may say these issues also helped all communities and I admit Thinkingabout Feb 2016 #3
I'm still trying to figure out what FrenchieCat Feb 2016 #4
Made a lot of money JustAnotherGen Feb 2016 #7
The Health Care condition that anyone thru the age of 27 FrenchieCat Feb 2016 #6
Yes, as I say it did not affect me directly but was a good part. Thinkingabout Feb 2016 #9
I would love to have ths tacked JustAnotherGen Feb 2016 #5
I don't have authority here.... FrenchieCat Feb 2016 #8
You do have that authority, frenchiecat. sheshe2 Feb 2016 #15
Oh....I forgot! That's true! FrenchieCat Feb 2016 #16
Done! sheshe2 Feb 2016 #17
Your list is very good, but I think the most important jaysunb Feb 2016 #10
Totally agree! FrenchieCat Feb 2016 #13
100% agree... sheshe2 Feb 2016 #18
Yes, "Represent", jay! Mahalo! Random sports shots of President Obama honoring the winning teams. Cha Feb 2016 #32
Reminded me of --- packman Feb 2016 #11
Harry Truman was President SCantiGOP Feb 2016 #12
Barack Obama is the best President in my lifetime. thereismore Feb 2016 #14
Post removed Post removed Feb 2016 #19
K&R. n/t FSogol Feb 2016 #20
Thanks for the post, it's an impressive list. mountain grammy Feb 2016 #21
I'm gonna edit the list to add the paragraph I added on the AA similar thread I posted.... FrenchieCat Feb 2016 #22
And increased the war on drugs by allowing the DEA and local police to attack Marijuana Feeling the Bern Feb 2016 #23
Well, I realized that he was supposed to be perfect, FrenchieCat Feb 2016 #24
And your Wall Street loving, Goldman Sachs bought off Hillary? Feeling the Bern Feb 2016 #25
Nobody "bought" off Hillary.. that's just BS talk.. Oh, and Hillary & I are too Cool.. Cha Feb 2016 #27
Recommend. morningfog Feb 2016 #26
Wow! Thank you so much for this comprehensive list of what President Obama has done for Cha Feb 2016 #28
Yes...true. FrenchieCat Feb 2016 #29
You're Wecome.. And, Lorretta Lynch being a woman... History Made, Again. Cha Feb 2016 #31
Thank you Frenchie. I've always said, he won't be fully appreciated until he's out of office. Tarheel_Dem Feb 2016 #30
my reaction would have been: ginnyinWI Feb 2016 #33
True dat! FrenchieCat Feb 2016 #35
Great List. Yep, I would say he's been the best President in my lifetime. californiabernin Feb 2016 #34
Thanks for this post! Tree Frog Mar 2016 #36
a hate post nik02 Mar 2016 #37
Welcome to DU. What is hateful about that list? Or do you mean your post is saying uppityperson Mar 2016 #38
We did Coolest Ranger Jan 2017 #43
He sung Amazin Grace? Hereiam2005 Mar 2016 #39
He didn't give me my rainbows and unicorns. Aristus Apr 2016 #40
Wonderful and accurate list about one of our greatest presidents! Thank you for posting this! skylucy Apr 2016 #41
Please don't left out being a great role model!! Tony77 Jul 2016 #42
Welcome to DU Coolest Ranger Jan 2017 #44
Now there's a President! Joinfortmill Feb 2020 #46
Message auto-removed Name removed Mar 2020 #47

Response to sharp_stick (Reply #1)

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
3. Some may say these issues also helped all communities and I admit
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 07:22 PM
Feb 2016

They have. He will forever be the president who got health care passed, though not perfect has helped lots of people. I for one like the clause in pre-existing conditions, if some do not need that part probably they will in the future.

Thanks for your post, I hate to hear "he never did anything for me", I disagree, even when things does not affect me directly I have friends who are affected. He will go down as a great one.

Don't you like his Cool Hand Luke routine, he is reassuring. Let us not forget he got bin Laden also.

FrenchieCat

(68,868 posts)
4. I'm still trying to figure out what
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 07:33 PM
Feb 2016

Cornell West has done for the Black Community.
Cause I asked that question,
but have yet to get an answer
other than he wrote some books!

JustAnotherGen

(33,690 posts)
7. Made a lot of money
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 07:39 PM
Feb 2016

Off the status quo?

That's my answer and I'm sticking to it. He gais when things stay the same.

He was never willing to be hated the way someone like Al Sharpton was. He never had the chutzpah to run for President like Sharpton did either.

FrenchieCat

(68,868 posts)
6. The Health Care condition that anyone thru the age of 27
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 07:37 PM
Feb 2016

could remain on their parents' plans
also helped many families,
in in particular especially young people.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
9. Yes, as I say it did not affect me directly but was a good part.
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 07:43 PM
Feb 2016

I am not bragging but I have had the fortunate of having health insurance all of my life, first on my father's company policy and then on to my employer's insurance. I can't imagine the fear of one who does not have health insurance.

FrenchieCat

(68,868 posts)
8. I don't have authority here....
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 07:39 PM
Feb 2016

But I certainly wouldn't mind!

Again though, I only spent a short time gathering this info...
so I'm not sure how complete it is,
and also, I didn't bother with links...

sheshe2

(87,742 posts)
15. You do have that authority, frenchiecat.
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 09:03 PM
Feb 2016

You are a host here. I could pin it, however I will leave the honors to you.

What an amazing list, thank you so much for sharing it with all of us.

Despite the vitriol that has been thrown at him he has shown nothing other than dignity and grace. What an wonderful role model for your community and for us all.

Best President of my lifetime.

FrenchieCat

(68,868 posts)
16. Oh....I forgot! That's true!
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 09:21 PM
Feb 2016

Not sure how it is done, so if you so please....I'd really appreciate it!

jaysunb

(11,856 posts)
10. Your list is very good, but I think the most important
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 07:53 PM
Feb 2016

thing President Obama has done for our community has been to, "represent."

When you see the faces of black children when they look at him you realize how hopes and aspirations become achievable. A role model like no other EVER. His conduct and family values put lie to the stereotype that has defined us and further weighted our tortured journey toward equal humanity and opportunity.

For us old heads, he is the final truth of our lifetime. An occurrence that we hoped for at some time in the future, but never believed would happen in our lifetime. The work that was done, the pain, humiliation, indignation of our second class citizenship and humanity has been put into history as victory like none other.

While there's much to be done, a door has been opened, a wall torn down and as a result many young minds both black and white will not be handicapped with many past stigmas and artificial barriers.

Slightly off topic, I remember when it was believed that a black man couldn't be a quarterback in the NFL. Good luck Cam.

FrenchieCat

(68,868 posts)
13. Totally agree!
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 08:56 PM
Feb 2016

I did end up posting this over at the AA group, and added a paragraph in reference to how well Barack Obama (and his family for that matter) has "represented"!

Cha

(305,590 posts)
32. Yes, "Represent", jay! Mahalo! Random sports shots of President Obama honoring the winning teams.
Sun Feb 7, 2016, 05:08 AM
Feb 2016

President Barack Obama holds a Golden State Warriors basketball jersey presented to him during an event with the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors

Oh another.. it's his last year. We can't really get enough. lol


President Barack Obama strikes the Heisman pose with Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry

MOre pics~http://theobamadiary.com/2016/02/04/the-president-and-first-ladys-day-28/

thereismore

(13,326 posts)
14. Barack Obama is the best President in my lifetime.
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 09:01 PM
Feb 2016

I wish he could stay on.

I hear a lot about how Bernie's approach is all classist and does not acknowledge realities of race. That to him, class is a distraction from race. But when you look closely at Obama's accomplishments that you listed, a lot of them are classist. Income, college opportunities, education. It's all good. I would just ask that you give Sanders a chance to show you that he is not a single focus man. I think (and hope!) that he will do better than that.

Response to FrenchieCat (Original post)

mountain grammy

(27,315 posts)
21. Thanks for the post, it's an impressive list.
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 10:19 PM
Feb 2016

and I'd like to add, the president and his family have given me pride again. Despite disagreements, my respect and admiration for the Obamas has only grown since day one.

 

Feeling the Bern

(3,839 posts)
23. And increased the war on drugs by allowing the DEA and local police to attack Marijuana
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 10:35 PM
Feb 2016

with the full measure of the law.

FrenchieCat

(68,868 posts)
24. Well, I realized that he was supposed to be perfect,
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 10:48 PM
Feb 2016

like your NRA loving Bernie Sanders. Cause voting against the Brady Bill 5 times
really helped inner city youth live longer! Please thank him for that!


Obama Talks Marijuana Decriminalization and Reclassification
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-03-16/obama-if-states-decriminalize-it-congress-may-lessen-criminal-penalties-for-marijuana

Obama Backs DC Vote to Legalize Marijuana
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-backs-dc-vote-legalize-marijuana/story?id=27536201

But of course....
This is what Obama has been up against the entire time! Thanks for making my point!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1187&pid=38288

 

Feeling the Bern

(3,839 posts)
25. And your Wall Street loving, Goldman Sachs bought off Hillary?
Sat Feb 6, 2016, 11:25 PM
Feb 2016

But, since you like a banker supported candidate with a super pac. . .more power to you.

Cha

(305,590 posts)
28. Wow! Thank you so much for this comprehensive list of what President Obama has done for
Sun Feb 7, 2016, 12:19 AM
Feb 2016

the African American Community, Frenchie!

And, appointing AG Eric Holder. for what he has Accomplished is invaluable..

America’s first black attorney general: Eric Holder’s legacy

Holder has attacked Republican efforts across the country to pass voter ID laws that would disproportionately suppress African-American and Latino voters. He issued new guidance to schools and the zero-tolerance discipline policies that have sent minority students on a fast track to the criminal justice system. He has urged the reduction of harsh sentences for low-level drug offenders — a move seen as a way of remedying the decades-long war on drugs that has filled U.S. prisons with black and brown bodies

When Holder was appointed the nation’s top lawyer in 2009, he promised to use his office to aggressively enforce civil rights law. And while he has been criticized for his role in a number of controversial policy matters involving civil liberties and a well-publicized botched gun trafficking sting, his work in enforcing rights and balancing the scales of justice, especially for minorities, has earned him high praise.
snip//
Ifill called Holder’s vision for the civil rights division of the Department of Justice “one of restoration and transformation, from his leadership on voting rights, to legal services for the poor, to criminal justice reforms and, in recent weeks, to his forceful response to the tragic events in Ferguson.”

snip//

“When the history of his tenure is written, Eric Holder will ultimately be recognized as one of the finest attorneys general this country has ever known.”

Much MOre~ http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/americas-first-black-attorney-general-eric-holders-legacy

Mahalo for pinning this!

FrenchieCat

(68,868 posts)
29. Yes...true.
Sun Feb 7, 2016, 12:32 AM
Feb 2016

I will edit my post when I get a few more....

But certainly, the fact that he nominated 2 Black AG was certainly a service to the Black Community!
Thank you for reminding me!

ginnyinWI

(17,276 posts)
33. my reaction would have been:
Mon Feb 8, 2016, 01:04 AM
Feb 2016

What???? LOLOLOLOL!! He became the fricken President of the United States!!!

 

californiabernin

(421 posts)
34. Great List. Yep, I would say he's been the best President in my lifetime.
Mon Feb 8, 2016, 02:00 AM
Feb 2016

Clinton got lucky with the booming economy. Obama came in having to deal with a real mess.

Only thing I wish is that he'd been a little more confrontational and a firebrand. Can't compromise with the folks in power. Gotta get the people to rise up and take the country back.

That said, I have the utmost respect and admiration for Obama.

 

Tree Frog

(25 posts)
36. Thanks for this post!
Sat Mar 12, 2016, 09:26 AM
Mar 2016

It is so hurtful to hear RW slamming Obama with such vengeful hate, when he has done so much good for this country.

I really appreciate this list! We never hear the good he is doing and it should be out there!

And here it is!

nik02

(3 posts)
37. a hate post
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 04:12 PM
Mar 2016

This is a hate post. I think you should have probably check well what he has done before posting this bullshit.

uppityperson

(115,880 posts)
38. Welcome to DU. What is hateful about that list? Or do you mean your post is saying
Sun Mar 13, 2016, 04:23 PM
Mar 2016

you hate that list?

Tony77

(3 posts)
42. Please don't left out being a great role model!!
Tue Jul 5, 2016, 10:29 PM
Jul 2016

Just being a great role model is enough for me. I wasn't looking for any benefits other than don't make himself look like a fool.
I can truly say he has exceeding my expectations. He carried himself well and so far we have not heard of any girl friends hanging around the white house.

Response to FrenchieCat (Original post)

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