Sen. Barack Obama on the campaign trail.
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama opposes offering reparations to the descendants of slaves, putting him at odds with some black groups and leaders.
The man with a serious chance to become the nation's first black
president argues that government should instead combat the legacy of
slavery by improving schools, health care and the economy for
all.
"I have said in the past — and I'll repeat again — that the best reparations we can provide are good schools in the inner city and jobs for people who are unemployed," the Illinois Democrat said recently.
Some two dozen members of Congress are co-sponsors of legislation to
create a commission that would study reparations — that is, payments
and programs to make up for the damage done by
slavery.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
supports the legislation, too. Cities around the country, including
Obama's home of Chicago, have endorsed the idea, and so has a major
union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Obama has worked to be seen as someone who will bring people
together, not divide them into various interest groups with checklists
of demands. Supporting reparations could undermine that
image and make him appear to be pandering to black voters.
"Let's not be naive. Sen. Obama is running for president of the United States, and so he is in a constant battle to save his political life," said Kibibi Tyehimba, co-chair of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America. "In light of the demographics of this country, I don't think it's realistic to expect him to do anything other than what he's done."
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leegrimsley
Aug 2, 2008 | 11:50 AM |
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TexasTruBlu
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scottythecomic
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cyrusmartin
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cbfan
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GratefulGrace
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cyrusmartin
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cyrusmartin
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DDawg
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GratefulGrace
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cyrusmartin
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cbfan
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ProudAmerican
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superman
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superman
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Antiwarmachine
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GratefulGrace
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GratefulGrace
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GratefulGrace
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My name is Cyrus Martin. I live in Euless, Texas along with a bunch of other people. I enjoy a healthy debate now and then as well as a heated discussion. I don't enjoy to argue though and I find it absolutely beyond annoying to see people spread ignorance, hypocrisy, lies and distortions in the guise of truth or Christianity. I am a proud Christian (which is sort of an Oxymoron) and I love God very much. I think most Christians do... unfortunately there are many that will use his name to promote a twisted and evil agenda and guilt any who would seek God's face into following them without question. For too long we have been cowed by this tyrannical Christian terrorism. One of the purposes of my life to help bring this into the light. If we are Christians then we should think about what that means and the responsibility that comes along with that comfortable label. Thanks! I hope we will have some great talks. -Cy
Member Since: 2/19/2007