Tuesday
Dec112007
Barack Obama FINALLY Responds to Reader Inquiries About Dunbar Village IN WRITING!- Time to Ask the Republicans
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 7:40AM The Blogmother
Well after four months Barack Obama responded to a WAOD reader's email about the Dunbar Village crime against humanity. Here is what Senator Obama had to say. It speaks for itself.
Well, we asked for a response and his office provided one. So PLEASE spare me the "Black folks will be better off under an Obama administration" talk. The staff of Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, and Mike Gravel can issue form letters just as efficiently as Barack Obama's staff.
Read about our earlier attempts to get African American leaders to speak out publicly about Dunbar Village:
Just to be FAIR, lets see what, if anything, some other folks have to say about Dunbar Village and other horrific crimes committed against Black women and children in this country and what they as President of the United States would do to a) combat these crimes, b) raise awareness, and c) force broadcast media organizations (the ones using the airwaves paid for by my tax dollars) to provide transparency into how they make the decision regarding which missing and murdered women and children to feature on their stations.
When you get a response, forward it to me and I will post it on the blog. First reader to respond back with a written response from more than five of these candidates wins a free copy of Bill Cosby's “Come On People.” I'm generous like that.
From: <senator_obama@obama.senate.gov>
Date: Dec 10, 2007 4:19 PM
Subject: Message from Senator Barack Obama
To: ***@gmail.com
Dear ***:
Thank you for sharing with me your concerns about sex offenders and sexual predators. I appreciate hearing from you.
Protecting our children from sexual abuse should be a high national priority. That is why I cosponsored "Dru's Law" ( S.792) in my first year as a U.S. Senator, which creates a public Nationwide Sex Offender Registry, searchable by zip code for all offenders in an area, regardless of state lines. Also, because our current system is unable to adequately track offenders who move from state to state, Dru's Law requires the notification of state prosecutors upon the release of a high-risk offender who has served a full sentence. Additionally, released offenders would be tracked and monitored for at least one year through electronic bracelet, monitoring by a parole officer, or other appropriate means. I am pleased to report that Dru's Law was incorporated into the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act and was signed into law in July of 2006.
I also cosponsored the Sex Offender Registration Act (S.1086), which passed out of the Senate by unanimous consent. The Sex Offender Registration Act will strengthen the tracking and registering of sex offenders by ensuring that state law enforcement agencies have the proper resources to effectively manage sex offender information.
Unfortunately, online social networks have given sexual offenders a new outlet through which to victimize children. This year, I am a proud cosponsor of the "KIDS" Act (S.431), which requires convicted sex offenders to provide any electronic mail address, instant message address or similar identifier for the inclusion in the National Sex Offender Registry. With the passage of this bill, social networking websites would be permitted to access a secure system managed by the Attorney General and compare their database of users against the list of internet identifiers in the National Sex Offender Registry. It also establishes criminal penalties for age misrepresentatiton in connection with the online sexual solicitation of a minor. I hope Congress will take timely action on this legislation.
Again, ***, thank you for writing. As your U.S. Senator and a father of two young daughters, I assure you that protecting our nation's children is constantly on my mind.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator
P.S. Our system does not allow direct response to this email. However, if you would like to contact me again, please use the form on the website: http://obama.senate.gov/contact/
Well, we asked for a response and his office provided one. So PLEASE spare me the "Black folks will be better off under an Obama administration" talk. The staff of Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, and Mike Gravel can issue form letters just as efficiently as Barack Obama's staff.
Read about our earlier attempts to get African American leaders to speak out publicly about Dunbar Village:
- Dunbar Village - RAZE IT TO THE GROUND AND SALT THE EARTH SO THAT NOTHING WILL GROW THERE! - How to Help.- Where in the World are the Rev's?
- August 7, 2007 - National Day of SHAME- Black Leaders' Silence is Immoral- Call them on their CRAP!
- Maybe Black Women Should Be Pit Bulls in Our Next Life ---The Hypocrisy of Russell Simmons and Rev. Al
- The List of Immoral Indifference is Growing - Obama Aides Give Conflicting info-Didn't know?
In the Interest of FAIRNESS, Let's Ask The Republicans What They Think
Just to be FAIR, lets see what, if anything, some other folks have to say about Dunbar Village and other horrific crimes committed against Black women and children in this country and what they as President of the United States would do to a) combat these crimes, b) raise awareness, and c) force broadcast media organizations (the ones using the airwaves paid for by my tax dollars) to provide transparency into how they make the decision regarding which missing and murdered women and children to feature on their stations.
| Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee, Inc. 295 Greenwich St, #371 New York, NY 10007 212-835-9449 webteam@joinrudy2008.com Former Governor Mike Hucabee Huckabee for President, Inc. P.O. Box 2008 Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 501-324-2008 Pressroom@explorehuckabee.com Congressman Duncan Hunter Hunter For President, Inc. 9340 Fuerte Drive Suite 302 La Mesa, CA 91941 (619)463-3896 margaret@gohunter08.com Senator John McCain http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/ Mailing Address John McCain 2008 P.O. Box 16118 Arlington, VA 22215 (703) 418-2008 | Congressman Ron Paul 3461 Washington Blvd., Suite 200 Arlington, VA 22201 703-248-9115 http://www.ronpaul2008.com/contact/form Former Governor Mitt Romney Romney for President, Inc. P.O. Box 55239 Boston, MA 02205-5239 Phone: (857) 288-6400 http://www.mittromney.com/CommentForm Congressman Tom Tancredo info@teamtancredo.org 703-255-9898 501 Church Street, Suite 212 Vienna, VA 22180 Senator Fred Thompson http://www.fred08.com/Contact/Contact.aspx Friends of Fred Thompson, Inc. P.O. Box 128349 Nashville, TN 37212-8349 |
Just to be fair, lets include the Democratic candidates who have not been previously contacted about Dunbar Village. | |
Joe Biden info@JoeBiden.com Biden for President, Inc. P.O. Box 438 Wilmington, DE 19899 (302) 574-2008 Chris Dodd PO Box 51882 Washington, DC 20091 Phone (DC): (202) 737-DODD (3633) Phone (CT): (860) 244-2008 http://chrisdodd.com/contact | Mike Gravel http://www.gravel2008.us/contact Address: P.O. Box 948 Arlington, VA 22216-0948 Office: 703-652-4698 Dennis Kucinich 11808 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, OH 44111 877-41-DENNIS info@dennis4president.com |
When you get a response, forward it to me and I will post it on the blog. First reader to respond back with a written response from more than five of these candidates wins a free copy of Bill Cosby's “Come On People.” I'm generous like that.
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Reader Comments (30)
Uuuuhhh....right. Well, I guess some acknowledgement is better than no acknowledgement. I guess....
I can't believe how weak that response was. He did not address any of the real issues I would have thought he would address. All the work he's done with the sexual offenders registry is great but it has nothing to do with the Dunbar Village situation. His reply sounds like a canned response that is used to address any issue that involves sexual assault. It doesn't sound like he gave it any thought at all - it was very political (tooting his own horn). His response has lowered my opinion of him.
Mo: I thought it was just me thinking that it was an insincere, almost "computer-generated" response. He still didn't really address Dunbar Village, did he??
First off, I love your blog! It is indeed refreshing. This is my first time commenting on it.
Anyway, to the topic at hand: Of course, crimes against black women and children are grossly under-reported . But there is freedom of the press and Bush nor anyone else can't force the MSM to cover anything. I just wish the media finally realized that we black women matter too.
I feel sorry for Natalee Holloway and other Caucasians who are victims of crimes. But there are far too many of our sisters whose plights go unnoticed.
How sad. I'm sure it picked out key words that fit a particular form letter.
Nice way to make a voting people feel voiceless.
That's definitely a form letter. The sad thing is, this pre-fab letter is actually an improvement from the past responses.
While I am glad that some senators are working toward sex offender registries, it bothers me tremendously that they do nothing to prevent the rising incidences of rape in the first place.
I am noticing two things:
1) Violent sex offenders often get the sexual assault charge dropped by 'copping a plea' for the violence. That allows the worst of the criminals to avoid registration.
2) I saw nothing in this letter that would help in prevention and prosecution. Meaning, no financing or legislation for police task forces, no treatment for sex offenders, no 'permanent solutions' for hard core sex offenders, etc.
That being said, I've been doing a lot of research on all of the candidates, including the Republicans, and Barack has risen higher on my list. Unfortunately, none of my reasons are for any legislation or policies that directly improve the quality of life for black women.
Well hallelujah! He responds! Unfortunately the senator's response leaves a lot to be desired. It seemed too computer generated as randi523 said. He didn't mention Dunbar Village or any of the other violent crimes against Black females and what he would do to prevent them. Well, at least he responded. shecodes I'm with you on Obama's stock rising with this. It's unfortunate that the reason isn't because he has made a commitment to legislation protecting Black females.
Thanks for nothing Obama.
Whew, Human Evolution class is over! Good-bye homo erectus, natural selection and gene flow. Grrrr.
Have any of you read the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 drafted by Joe Biden, along with Arlen Spector and Orrin Hatch?
It was strongly supported by Obama and Clinton.
It provides $795 million a year to continue funding several programs for "training, education and outreach so that state and federal agencies can do a better job of preventing violence against women and assisting victims of domestic violence."
If I'm not mistaken this is the version that allows victims of violence who live in public housing to move immediately and still keep their public housing status instead of waiting around for the red tape.
The best thing we can do is push for more legislation like this by contacting politicians and letting them know you expect them to vote for things like this.
From an October commentary by Obama in the Chicago Defender:
"Ultimately, this problem has to be addressed by neighbors who are willing to report suspected crimes and by families who are willing to help loved ones come out of the darkness of isolation and into the light of justice. And we can all do our part by discussing this issue in public until we break down the stigma that still stops so many women from coming forward and bring about a change in the misogynistic attitudes that foster this violence.
Let's stop treating this as just a woman's issue. Whether it's hundreds of thousands of women being brutalized in the United States and around the world, or just a single friend whose boyfriend took advantage of her one night -- when a woman is attacked on account of her gender, it is a human rights issue. And so long as it continues, the conscience of our nation cannot rest."
And also, when legislation like VAWA is passed into law we must hold those who are responsible for enforcing it (judges, prosecutors, and police) accountable.
Know who your local prosecutors are. Pay attention to them when voting.
Hey Symphony,
Thanks for info on the Violence Against Women Act of 2005... I thought it had been struck down! It's definitely good news to hear that it is still in play.
I will certainly read more about it, and encourage others to do the same.
I do recall similar legislation coming from the Hillary camp too... I'll look it up and possibly do a post on these potential bills.
Hey Shecodes.
VAWA was signed into law Jan 5, 2006.
Yes, and apparently newer legislation (for more funding) is currently being introduced as well. There is an email campaign that we can use to state our support. I'll post links soon.
I'm trying to amass a list of the voting histories of all the candidates on legislation such as this.
Whew, black women in America and Africa are not alone in this battle against sexual violence. There is a furor in Australia right now, about a 10 year old Aboriginal girl who was gang raped by 9 men, 3 of whom were adults.
The judge said that 'she consented to the sex', and gave them slaps on the wrists, with no jail time. The child contracted gonorrhea as well.
Unlike our American counterparts in the Genarlow case, the Australian public is rising up to defend the girl, and are demanding that the judge step down. Many people are saying that if the girl was white, the punishment would have been swift and severe.
It is very important for women of color around the world -- black women especially -- to take control of our image. History has proved that when people see other human beings as less than human, deadly results are sure to follow.
As unfair as it may seem, the safety and very lives of many black women depends (in part) on a collective respect for our humanity and innate worth. This is why fighting stereotypes and degrading media needs to be a top priority for all black women everywhere.
http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2007/12/10/australia/index.html" REL="nofollow">Read the story here
wow that was disappointing. i guess i can't say that i'm surprised because everyone's is full campaign-mode right now and consequently have no time to listen to people. blah. well i guess a form letter is better than no response. guess none of the candidates read essence to know how influential this blog is...
e.
Are you people serious? ARE y'all seriously settling for a form letter? Are y'all seriously trying to come up reasons why it is okay for these candidates to remain silent on this and other issues.
I was readin about disability advocates using the Iowa caucuses to press their cases. Why are we the only group of folks that think I am BOTHERING a politician for asking them to address an issue that is important to me?
So yeah, i am writing all the republican candidates and the remaining democratic candidates as well.
Yeah, it is important to me to know what a candidate will speak out on or turn a blind eye to. It tells me alot about their character. I always have the option of voting for the green party, they might actually nominate a Black woman . She's a bit off, but at least I know she will speak her mind.
No, people aren't unevolved because they don't give gold stars for the same things you do.
The form letter was actually more annoying than being ignored. So what else are they willing to ignore because we let them off the hook.
Who is letting them off the hook? Seems like everyone was annoyed by the standard response.
The most negligent in defending abused women are the 'other' people on the ballots who no one pays attention to.
Like every issue, laws are already in place...the problem is the lack of enforcement and follow through.
I think people should hold the prosecutors, judges and sherrifs more accountable. They get a free pass when they are supposed to be the biggest advocates for victims.
Black women went after the inept and uncaring prosecutors in their areas that would have the greatest impact.
You know no ONE strategy is superior to the other. An election cycle is a unique opportunity. Yes other solutions work as well but no other interest group is looking for reason to let politicians slide. All the prosecution in the world can't combat poverty. All the prosecution in the world can't patch a roof or install an AC or conduct mold remediation.
Prosecution only comes into play AFTER someone has been brutalized. Deterrence only works on those with a conscience. There is no BEST way.
Second, I am not so sure about the OTHER people and they are being paid attention to. If folks are upset about particular candidates getting more attention than others then blame the media and demographics. Black woman are kingmakers in the Democratic party, not the republican party. no other candidate is running around intimating that Black folks will be better off under them other than Billary and Obama.
I agree there is no ONE best way to handle this but I would rather see a candidate enact legislation without mentioning Dunbar Village over speaking about Dunbar Village and then doing nothing regarding violence against women.
As long as criminals are allowed to get off relatively scott free AFTER they brutalize a woman they will ALWAYS brutalize a woman.
What exactly will a politician do to stop violence before it occurs? Nothing more relevant than what a prosecutor and judge can do after the crime has already been committed.
A lot of this education, enlightenment, and deterrence has nothing to do with government. Women are empowered and some of the most empowered, with many resources, still stick around in violent relationships. Why?
No politician can do anything about that. Should I consider myself lucky I've never been in an abusive relationship or smart enough to gauge who I spend time with and allow into my life? I think the latter.
A lot of this needs to be community and family-based in teaching males AND females that violence is not acceptable. Until that happens there will always be acts of violence against women no matter what anyone outside the families and commiunities do.
I am so sick and tired of re explaining this over and over and over again. Sometimes in society, it is important for people in leadership positions to SPEAK. Period. They can SPEAK and LEGISLATE. They can SPEAK and DONATE. THEY can SPEAK and MEDIATE, but they need to SPEAK.
If you don't agree fine. I ain't trying to preach to the unconverted. If you don't understand how the silence in the face of man's unhumanity to man is immoral. Fine. But now matter how many time you come on here tell me that them speaking isn't important to you or that you find something else MORE important than them speaking, that isn't going to change my opinion that sometimes you need the bright light of day to shine on evil and darkness.
Just how do you propose Dunbar Village is going to get all of this great legislation you want if there is no public awareness. This isn't just about DUnbar Village, it is about third world war zone like behavior popping up in the urban centers of this country and people sleeping on it. So with all due respect, this isn't just about Dunbar Village. It about the mother and daughter in Jersey that were gang raped as a form of retribution. Its about the woman that was dragged off a bus in Baltimore by a group of teens and beaten half to death. SOMETHING is going on, I don't know what it is, but someone needs to speak about it.
So lets just agree to disagree. I've stood on the grounds of a concentration camp and thought "why didn't anyone say anything". So you don't need people to speak. I DO!
I'll keep speaking about it because guess what, one day I'll need someone to speak for me. You see what is. I see what will be. This ain't all about Dunbar Village.
You don't have to restate anything for me, maybe others. I wouldn't make phone calls and reach out to public officials if I didnt feel they didn't need to know and need to do something.
What exactly did I say that went against what you do and are attempting to do? I don't think anything. Not everything and every word is directed towards you.
I'm not here to sway your opinion about anything. Its not my concern and definitely noy my desire.
I do think there is alot of legislation in place already and its not being enforced.
No, everything isn't all about Dunbar Village---I agree, which is why I said I don't need someone to specifically mention DUNBAR VILLAGE for them to do something about violence against women, particularly women of color. Thats basically my feeling on that.
But I don't think I said they shouldn't speak about issues. I do think creating a bill, standing on the Senate floor and getting it passed is speaking about it (it being violence against women).
In fact, most (if not all) of what I said wasn't said specifically with Dunbar Village in mind.
To me, the issue is violence against women, not Dunbar Village. To me, DUNBAR VILLAGE is about violence against women.
And my vision isn't nearly as short-sighted as "what is".
The issue isn't merely about a general violence against women. This is about a new type of violence. The weaponization of rape in this country similar to what we see in the Congo, Rwanda, Serbia and Croatia. This is an escalation.
Dunbar Village isn't just about violence against women. The crime is disturbing, what is equally disturbing is who committed the crime. This isn't just an act of violence, it is literally civilization unraveling in front of our very eyes. The intent of the crime, if police reports are true was as retribution for calling law enforcement, that issue is beyond violence against women
A community of people listening to screams and not calling police isn't just about violence against women.
A city government corralling a group of poor women and children and withdrawing police protection, isn't just about violence against women.
A city government continuing to sit by while continued acts of violence are carried out on poor Black folks isn't just about violence against women.
the Police Cheif only thinking a $1,000 reward is enough. more than violence against women.
Taxpayer money spent on cameras that don't get installed, more than about violence against women.
City council members fighting with each other and doing nothing while these folks continue to rot. more than about violence against women.
And yes I will respond to each and every comment on this blog that I feel minimizes the gravity of allowing even one pocket of uncivilization to take root. There will be other Dunbar Villages in our future and if people treat this as if it is another case of DV and not see these events as historical inflection points, I believe the result will be horrific for our granddaughters.
I am a first time poster and let me say that I commend you for what you are doing with this blog and for the impact it is having on society.
But I must admit that the recent post criticizing Obama's response to the Dunbar Village inquiries struck a nerve with me. Please allow me to share my opinion:
One thing that has always frustrated me is the weight of responsibility we place on governmental officials to put our issues on the front lines and seemingly single-handedly correct the ills that are plaguing our communities. Don't misunderstand me as I do understand that governmental officials are expected to make changes that will positively impact the quality of life for all citizens.
However, looking at our society it is plain to see that the government does not value correcting education, health care, employment, immigration regulation and other issues that effect ALL Americans. Therefore, how can we expect them to put the BC (and certain sectors of it at that) on their top priority list? The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing yet expecting a different result. And I feel like the way we continue to plead, beg, and be prostituted by politicians willing to use the correct jargon when discussing our issues only to have them kick us to the curb upon being elected (Clinton) borderlines on insanity.
Furthermore, this "our help must come from the White House" (or the Man) mentality only continues to perpetuate the victim mentality that helps Sharpton and Jackson make their living. Let's take back our power and realize that we've had it all along and stop waiting on politicians to change OUR communities!
This is why I am bothered by members of the BC who present our issues to politicians and get angry when they don't drop everything to come to our rescue. Let's be honest with ourselves and admit that there are many of us living right next door to the drama, crime, cruelty, and abuse that aren't lifting a finger or consistently raising a voice protest.
Now, if we won't collectively speak up against and take back our own communities and actively work to change them for the better and demand better from another, then how can we expect people miles away and seemingly not directly affected by the issues to come sweeping in to "save" us?
I feel like Obama is unfairly held to such standards and criticized when he "fails" to meet them because he is black. We must open our eyes to the bigger picture. We will acquire respect when we respect ourselves. We will improve our respective communities when we demand that certain things will no longer be tolerated on our watch. We must become a committee of one!
Let's stop polarizing ourselves into Black America concerned only with black issues. Can we assert ourselves as Americans concerned with American issues of which some deal explicitly with the black community?
You said, "PLEASE spare me the "Black folks will be better off under an Obama administration" talk."
And I say, Black folks will be better when we start looking to ourselves rather than to ANY administration to deal with the issues that we've created and tolerated for all too long.
Come on people!!
I am a first time poster and let me say that I commend you for what you are doing with this blog and for the impact it is having on society.
But I must admit that the recent post criticizing Obama's response to the Dunbar Village inquiries struck a nerve with me. Please allow me to share my opinion:
One thing that has always frustrated me is the weight of responsibility we place on governmental officials to put our issues on the front lines and seemingly single-handedly correct the ills that are plaguing our communities. Don't misunderstand me as I do understand that governmental officials are expected to make changes that will positively impact the quality of life for all citizens.
However, looking at our society it is plain to see that the government does not value correcting education, health care, employment, immigration regulation and other issues that effect ALL Americans. Therefore, how can we expect them to put the BC (and certain sectors of it at that) on their top priority list? The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing yet expecting a different result. And I feel like the way we continue to plead, beg, and be prostituted by politicians willing to use the correct jargon when discussing our issues only to have them kick us to the curb upon being elected (Clinton) borderlines on insanity.
Furthermore, this "our help must come from the White House" (or the Man) mentality only continues to perpetuate the victim mentality that helps Sharpton and Jackson make their living. Let's take back our power and realize that we've had it all along and stop waiting on politicians to change OUR communities!
This is why I am bothered by members of the BC who present our issues to politicians and get angry when they don't drop everything to come to our rescue. Let's be honest with ourselves and admit that there are many of us living right next door to the drama, crime, cruelty, and abuse that aren't lifting a finger or consistently raising a voice protest.
Now, if we won't collectively speak up against and take back our own communities and actively work to change them for the better and demand better from another, then how can we expect people miles away and seemingly not directly affected by the issues to come sweeping in to "save" us?
I feel like Obama is unfairly held to such standards and criticized when he "fails" to meet them because he is black. We must open our eyes to the bigger picture. We will acquire respect when we respect ourselves. We will improve our respective communities when we demand that certain things will no longer be tolerated on our watch. We must become a committee of one!
Let's stop polarizing ourselves into Black America concerned only with black issues. Can we assert ourselves as Americans concerned with American issues of which some deal explicitly with the black community?
You said, "PLEASE spare me the "Black folks will be better off under an Obama administration" talk."
And I say, Black folks will be better when we start looking to ourselves rather than to ANY administration to deal with the issues that we've created and tolerated for all too long.
Come on people!
Thank you for allowing me to share.
And AGAIN IS SAY. Black people can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Pursuing one solution does not mean you do it to the exclusion of all others and there is nothing wrong with asking someone to speak on something you feel strongly about.
Black women pay taxes just like every other interest group in this country.
And just do all of these transformations take place? You think the Civil Rights Act just popped up one day because Johnson and Kennedy thought they would be great ideas? Or maybe you think Abraham Lincoln, just decided one day to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. Public outrage and pressure work.
My rant was in response to a wide variety of issues. But I certainly agree with Symphony's point that speaking on Dunbar Village specifically isn't as great as doing something about it through legislation and other avenues. Can we assume that no direct mention of the subject equates to a total disregard for issues concerning women? Surely, we cannot.
Too often we want politicians to pay lip service to our issues rather than actually follow through with action. I think this is why politicians learn the appropriate lingo to court the BC during election time and then fail to act on all of those golden promises. Sadly, too often we fall for it.
Sometimes I wonder why I bother. I guess when that famous poem that ends
"and then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me" meant that they wanted lip service
Thanks for all of you who dropped by to explain why politicians don't need to mention Black women and children specifically, but that ain't what this blog is about.
The blog is called WHAT ABOUT OUR DAUGHTERS? not what about every body else, or what about our daughters in code or in secret? not what about our daughters when you get around to asking. Not what about whatever.
The unfortunate truth is that the more widely read the blog has become, the more people are attempting to moderate its tone to suit their tastes.
Did you ever consider that the reason the politicians in WPB are getting away with this is because no one is challenging them publicly about their failures.
Y'all win! I give up. I miss my old blog.
Too often we want politicians to pay lip service to our issues rather than actually follow through with action.
I'm not sure who the 'we' is in that statement, but I, for one, want both recognition AND follow through for a variety of issues concerning black women. This doesn't mean that I do not care about black men, white women, the war in Iraq or the myriad of other concerns that politicians have to worry about.
I am also a subscriber to a plurality of approaches, applied in concert to correct many of the social maladies that ail us. It is going to take a marriage of politics, social activism, education, personal responsibility and other efforts to turn this around.
I also think that most people on this blog believe this to a certain extent. My only wish is that we translate this belief into direct action -- in whatever form each person finds appropriate.
That's not a response, that's a form letter. I would venture to say that Barak Obama proboly doesn't even know about Dunbar Village till this day. Maybe his staff does, but I would be surprised if it even trickeled to him.
I think he either can care less or has the most disfunctional campaign staff in the race. Since I didn't see the letter that was sent to him I can't attest to what type of response was asked for, but I'm sure this was not satisfactory. I think this is less of a reflection of his interest in Dunbar Village and more of a reflection of his and so many other politicians interest, interest in appeasing the electorate only when they're organized in an interest group.
I think it's important to question these people about their silence. It undermines our democracy when we just begin excusing people's responsibility to us. These people work for us. We're interviewing him for a job. We need to act like it.