A Black General is as a Black President by Arnie Sherr

Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was to the Army as Barack Hussein Obama is to America. 

By Arnie Sherr

I was born on February 2, 1943. I tell you my birth date simply to explain how I came about writing this piece. It is because a good friend came across a copy of “PIC” Magazine that was published on my birthday. Being the good friend he is, he purchased it and sent it to me knowing I would be excited to examine its content. And so I am!

Within this issue of “PIC” Magazine is an article that speaks of two African American military men who achieved the rank of General, Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. (1877 – 1970) being the first and his son, Brigadier General Benjamin Oliver Davis, Sr. (1908 - 2002) the second. An incredible accomplishment it was, especially in those days.

In this article Colonel Charles Young  was quoted to have made the following statement: “If I wanted complete revenge on a super-enemy I wouldn’t send him to hell. I would make him a negro officer in a white army.”

After reading this piece I began to process the irony of his bold assertion. And, I’ll tell you why I am so troubled by the comparison I am about to express.

When President Obama was sworn in last January 20, 2009 the world rejoiced. Finally a black man has bridged the greatest of all prejudice breakthroughs. He has become the first African American President of the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />United States of America. And, his win was decisive beyond expectations. Suddenly the free world was pining to meet and have this unique American stand before them with messages of hope and change and to be enthralled by his profound ability to energize those whose ears are privy to his charm and elegance. I can’t remember another such candidate whose similarities culminated in a Presidential win since President John F Kennedy in 1961.

It has been 88 days to this writing, April 19, 2009; I am amazed at how the landscape has deteriorated. As it does, I am reminded of Colonel Charles Young’s quote above and I say with heartfelt regret, “Mr. President, the honeymoon is over, if ever it had started to begin with.”  

Moreover and in spite of the fact that everything he has done since his inauguration is as promised, he is being chastised, picked apart, criticized, and dissected as if a frog in an 11th grade biology lesson. Be assured, this President unlike most others does not taste like chicken. He is unique, creative, innovative, dedicated, committed, passionate, focused, vigorous, and more. If I were an employer looking for employees; are these not the qualities I should seek?  And, were I to hire such a person, would I attempt sabotaging the very promises made at the interview? You tell me?

I am beginning to envision our new President as “a negro officer in a white army.”

Agreeably, some of the concerns expressed by members of congress and the senate bear some credibility as do some expressed by both the right and left media. But, what this president is receiving is a barrage as if fired from a Gatling gun at close range. It seems only other leaders and pundits around the world are clapping gratefully for his intent and efforts.

In my lifetime, I’ve not witnessed such a preponderance of misrepresentations, twisting, and propaganda as I’m hearing from every direction. It is way too much to be considered rational response. As one so-called political expert expressed on Wolfe Blitzer’s “The Situation Room,” much of the Obamattacks are racially motivated. And, I agree.

The republicans led, symbolically, by Rush Limbaugh are so desperate to rescue their filled-with-holes brand; they stop at nothing to say “no.” It is against the law of averages that 100 percent of any large group is a consistent result. Moreover, I believe racial prejudice is alive and well in America. Not of a populous majority, but of a majority of those of both political and media influence. Strong and powerful voices seem to speak for more than is really represented. The illusion is much bigger than the reality! 

Last weeks tea party (demonstrations) turnouts, experts suggest, were inflated by Fox News in support of their right wing agenda. I tend to believe these suggestions, but doing so only tells of my political loyalty. Most of the right believes otherwise, I am sure. Those in the middle probably laugh at both sides. Putting attendance aside, all one must to do is pay attention to many of the hate Obama signs openly displayed by many of the so-called “tea baggers.”

I am dismayed and disheartened to suddenly realize how naïve I’ve been to permit me to be gobbled up in the “how far we’ve come along prejudicial lines” after election rhetoric. Barack Obama is doing nothing more than everything he promised during his campaign while the GOP minority and the voices of the right side media, and I’m sorry to include CNN, continually reload and furiously crank the firing arm of the Gatling gun. 

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, President Obama has assembled an elite group of economists who inhabit the top of their expert rankings. It is this group that has put forth the plans to rescue Main Street from its torturous journey whilst the wealthy complain arrogantly about sacrificing for the benefit of those, Main Street consumers, who are predominately responsible for the wealth and success they enjoy to begin with. Against these economic experts is the bias opinions, mostly no’s, of lawyers and a few other professions seating both the Congress and Senate which are also, not in any way related to economics. Yet they wish is to believe they speak for Main Street. Well, they haven’t fooled me, and I hope not you either.

In an article “American racial prejudice and impact on election” the writer,Marisa Treviño of the Latina Lista begins with: “As much as some of us would like to think that this election is all about the issues, there’s no denying that a major issue for a lot of voters boils down to black versus white.

In fact, the issue has become such a hot topic that there are reports that at the London and South African book fairs, a new e-book titled “America the Racist?” gained some unprecedented interest.

It seems the rest of the world wants to know as much as Americans if we can shed our prejudices and actually vote for a person of color.

Unfortunately, that will be a question that will continue to haunt the world until the polls close in November.”

I too, after Obama’s impressive November 11, 2008 win believed that we as a nation have stepped way beyond prejudice expectations, national and global. Recent happening are definitely making me take another look-see.

Barack Obama pledged to change Washington. Of this promise I am much less optimistic. There are times while writing editorials like this I come up with suggestions that just might impact solutions or positive outcomes. Of this I’ve only one. In the next congressional and senatorial elections, elect only new-comers. Let’s bring new blood, new enthusiasm, and un-special-interest-tainted senators and representatives to the floors of both houses. And while we’re at it, let’s demand two term limits.

It’s time we make a LOUD and CLEAR statement, not soon to be forgotten! Are you with me?