Making History: President signs Health Care Reform Bill

After a century long struggle, President Obama signed the Health Care Reform Bill into law. I commend the President and the Democrats for a job well done. We witnessed history. In the plain words of Vice President Joe Biden, "this is a big f***ing deal!" Although this legislation is imperfect for the sound reasons articulated by progressives such as U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader on Democracy Now, this legislation provides major tangible benefits to the American people. As stated in Tara Siegal Bernard's New York Times article entitled "For Consumers, Clarity on Health Care Changes":

The legislation .... provide[s] coverage for as many as 32 million people who have been shut out of the market — whether because insurers deem them too sick or because they cannot afford ever-rising insurance premiums.

[Within] six months .... many plans [will] be prohibited from placing lifetime limits on medical coverage, and they [cannot] cancel the policies of people who fall ill. Children with pre-existing conditions [cannot] be denied coverage.

And dependent children up to age 26 [are] eligible for coverage under their parents’ plans — instead of the current state-by-state rules that often cut off coverage for children at 18 or 19.

And within three months ....., people who have been locked out of the insurance market because of a pre-existing condition [will] be eligible for subsidized coverage through a new high-risk insurance program.

That special coverage [will] continue until the legislation’s engine kicks into a higher gear in 2014, when coverage [will] be extended to a wider part of the population through Medicaid and new state-run insurance exchanges.

Those exchanges, or marketplaces, [will] provide much more competitive, consumer-friendly online shopping centers of private insurance for people who are not able to obtain coverage through an employer.

In 2014, people with pre-existing conditions [can] no longer be denied insurance, all lifetime and annual limits on coverage [will] be eliminated and new policies [will] be required to meet higher benefit standards.

While this landmark legislation is a major accomplishment, it must viewed as a single step toward the ultimate goal, free universal health care for all citizens.

This is What Change Looks Like!

One Exceptional Negro

As reported in the Washington Post, according to the authors of Game Change, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said “that the country was ready to embrace a black presidential candidate, especially one such as Obama -- a light-skinned' African American 'with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one.”

After this statement was revealed, Sen. Reid issued the following apology. "I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words. I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African Americans, for my improper comments." In addition, he called President Obama and apologized. In response, Obama stated, "I accepted Harry's apology without question because I've known him for years. I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice and I know what's in his heart. As far as I am concerned, the book is closed."

Democrats such Congressman James Clyburn, former Congressman Harold Ford and even activists like Rev. Al Sharpton accepted Reid’s apology. The Congressional Black Caucus is issued a weak press release regarding the issue. On the Today Show, in an accommodating manner, Ford simply described Reid’s statement as “unusual”, and Gwen Ifill asserted that Reid's statement was not demeaning. Attempting to excuse Reid’s statement, Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine contended that the statement was made in the context of praising Obama’s candidacy for president. Similar to Joe Biden’s gaffe referring to Obama as the first clean and articulated African American presidential candidate, Reid’s condescending praise of Obama is an insult to the African American community.

Basically, Reid said that Obama is an exceptional Negro. In other words, he is not like most Black people. He implied that Obama is an honorary white person. In essence, the Senator alluded to the notion that a lighter complexion is superior or preferable to a darker one. Unfortunately, such sentiments may reflect the opinions of many white voters who helped elect President Obama. Obama was raised by his Caucasian mother and grandparents. His background made it easier for white voters to identify with him. It would have been more difficult for white voters to identify with him if had a darker complexion and was raised by Black parents.

Furthermore, Reid insinuated that it was an extraordinary feat for an African American politician to speak standard proper English. He used the antiquated segregation era term “Negro” to imply that most African Americans only speak Ebonics. Furthermore, Reid insulted Obama by suggesting that Obama is a phony who can pretend to be Black when necessary.

Although the book may be closed for Obama and the Democrats, it remains open for the African American community. This is not a Democratic Party or Republican Party issue. While I appreciate Sen. Reid's demonstrated commitment to social justice, his record should not serve as a basis to excuse his racist statement. It is extremely disappointing that no prominent African American politicians or organizations have strongly condemned the Senator’s racist comments. Where is your heart? How many more apologies will the President accept?

War is Peace

Yesterday, President Barack Obama humbly accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. During his acceptance speech, Obama said that his accomplishments are slight compared to other Nobel Prize winners such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and former South African President Nelson Mandela. I am proud that the first African American U.S. President received this distinguished award. Barack Obama is the embodiment of African Americans' hopes and dreams. He is a great symbol of American progress.

However, with all due respect, I agree with President Obama. His accomplishments are slight compared to great peacemakers like Dr. King and President Mandela. President Obama has been in office for less than one year. He was in office for a couple of months when he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Aside from giving beautiful speeches about mutual respect and international cooperation, he has done little for the cause of peace.

The timing of this award is ironic and controversial. The United States is waging two wars. Last week, after long deliberations, President Obama announced his decision to send 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan. According to the President, this escalation will cost American taxpayers at least $30 billion this year. During his eloquent and thought provoking acceptance speech, Obama justified his decision to escalate the conflict. He stated that:

We must begin by acknowledging the hard truth that we will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations - acting individually or in concert - will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified…I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiation cannot convince al Qaeda’s leaders to lay down their arms…Whatever mistakes we have made, the plain fact is this: the United States of American has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of arms…The instruments of war have a role to play in preserving the peace.

That last sentence reminds me of the slogan "War is Peace" in George Orwell’s novel 1984. Clearly, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee's award to Obama is peculiar.

I am no pacifist. In principle, I agree with the President’s general point. Some wars are necessary and just such as the Civil War and World War II. Although I support the President's goal of eradicating Al Qaeda, I do not support his decision to send 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan for the following reasons. First, other great powers such as Russia and Britain have failed in Afghanistan. The U.S. should reflect and learn from those examples. More troops equals more unnecessary American casualties.

Second, the Karzai government is a corrupt, inept regime of warlords and drug dealers. It is unlikely to ever become a reliable partner with the U.S. Without a strong central Afghan government, success is impossible.

Third, instead of squandering billions of dollars waging war and attempting to repair a failed state, that money should be used to address the problems plaguing American cities. My hometown, Detroit, has been devastated by sub prime mortgages, skyrocketing unemployment and failing schools. Many other inner cities face similar problems. This Nation always has enough money for war. But for health care and other social programs, we are told that those programs must be deficit neutral.

Fourth, Afghanistan is only one of Al Qaeda's safe havens. For instance, many of Al Qaeda operatives are in Pakistan. Many Al Qaeda leaders were killed or captured in Pakistan. Most of the 9/11 terrorists were from Saudi Arabia.

Fifth, the U.S. does not have a clear exit strategy. The U.S. has been in Afghanistan for over eight years. Despite Obama's assurances that the U.S. will begin to transfer forces out of Afghanistan in July of 2011, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have suggested that troops may remain in Afghanistan for years after that soft deadline.

And finally, American military intervention and occupation has not and will not ultimately defeat terrorism and fanaticism. Such policies fuel terrorism and perpetuate the endless cycle of violence and retaliation.

No Faith Justifies the Fort Hood Massacre

I express my condolences to the Fort Hood victims and their families. I honor the fallen: Dr. Mike Cahill, Major L. Eduardo Caraveo, Staff Sgt. Justin M. DeCrow, Capt. John Gaffaney, Specialist Frederick Greene, Spc. Jason Dean Hunt, Sgt. Amy Krueger, Pfc. Aaron Thomas Nemelka, Pfc. Michael Pearson, Pvt. Francheska Velez, Lt. Cal Juanita Warman, Capt. Russell Seager and Pfc. Kham Xiong. I pray for the the wounded.

When I read about the terrible shooting rampage at Fort Hood, I was shocked and disgusted. When I discovered that Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a fellow Muslim, was responsible, I was outraged. I cannot understand how anyone, especially someone claiming to be a Muslim, could murder innocent people. People have compared this incident to the Oklahoma City bombing. Some people mention that the media did not refer to Timothy McVeigh’s Christian religion or describe him a Christian terrorist. Some have questioned the relevance of Hasan's religious views.

Although the investigation is ongoing, according to reports, Major Nidal Malik Hasan's religion is relevant because he alleged exploited it to justify his cowardly actions. We should not bury our heads in the sand and pretend that his faith played no role. We must confront and condemn all fanaticism. Hasan reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) before he began firing on his fellow soldiers. Additionally, he reportedly expressed reservations about joining non-Muslims in a battle against fellow Muslims. He allegedly made statements sympathizing with suicide bombers and had ties to an extremist imam linked to Al Qaeda.

After beginning to recover from 9/11, this incident has set back Muslim and Christian relations by decades. When the public is constantly bombarded with disturbing images of suicide bombings and other terrorist acts committed by misguided Muslims in the name of God, understandably and but unfortunately, people begin to equate Islam with terrorism and violence. I share Army Chief of Staff General George Casey’s concern that this tragedy may lead to some people to question Muslim American soldiers’ loyalty. People must resist prejudice. The extremists are a minuscule minority. They do not represent the vast majority of law abiding and patriotic American Muslims.

I join the many Muslims who have condemned this horrific crime. In the words of President Obama, “No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts. No just and loving God looks upon them with favor.”

Many people have used distorted interpretations of Islam to justify terrorism. However, the Quran and the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) oppose terrorism and extremism. Each surah or chapter, except one, of the Holy Quran begins with the phrase “In the Name of Allah (God), the Beneficent, the Merciful.” Mercy is God’s dominant attribute. No merciful God would condone the brutal murder of innocent soldiers. It sickens me to hear terrorists use God's blessed name to celebrate senseless acts of violence. Although the Quran does address the issue of war within a historic and pragmatic context, the greeting of the Muslims is As-salaam Alaikum (peace be upon you). The words "Islam" and "Muslim" have peace as their root. In fact, in Surah 5:32 of the Quran, Allah compares killing an innocent person to slaying a whole people and saving a single life to saving a whole people. Similar to other major religions, Islam condemns suicide bombings. At Surah 4:29 in the Quran, Allah commands Muslims not to “kill (or destroy) yourselves for verily Allah hath been to you most merciful.” In Surahs 4:171 and 2:143, Allah encourages the people not "to commit excesses in religion" and refers to the Muslim community or Ummat as "justly balanced". Extremism is the ultimate manifestation of imbalance. In Surah 5:8 of the Quran, Allah commands believers to be fair and “not to let hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.”

Intolerance and hatred breed violence. Muslim leaders must promote tolerance and mutual understanding. As stated in Surah 3:64, we must call Christian, Jews and Muslims to come to common terms. The Quran repeatedly reminds us that all of mankind was created from a single person. We share a common humanity and destiny.

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Positive Images of Black Marriage

Last week, I listened to an engaging discussion on the Marc Steiner Show promoting the movie Happily Ever After: Positive Images of Black Marriage.

For a large segment of the African American community, marriage is not the norm. Many of our communities are plagued by absentee fathers and teenage pregnancy. According to the U.S. Census , in 2007, 40.4 percent of African Americans never married compared to 22.7 percent for whites and 31.4 percent for Hispanics. According to the U.S. Census report Living Arrangements of Children: 2004, only 38 percent of African American children live in two parent homes. In contrast, 87 percent of Asian children, 78 percent of white children and 68 percent of Hispanic children live in two parent households.

During the broadcast, the guests emphasized the need to present positive images of marriage to address the problem. For that reason, I look forward to seeing the movie. However, as one caller stated, drugs, welfare and mass incarceration have contributed the destruction of the African American family structure. Although helpful, positive images alone will not end this crisis. This is an urgent issue that the civil rights organizations and religious institutions must address.

How Can We Save the Children?

Last week, I read a disturbing article by Jozen Cummings about Derrion Albert’s brutal murder in Chicago. According to reports, Derrion was not a gangster or a drug dealer. He was an honor student. Someone struck Derrion Albert in the head with a 2 by 4 wooden plank and other people stomped and beat him to death. The article compared his violent death to the beating of Rodney King, the lynching of Emmett Till and the hosing of civil rights protesters. Derrion was not beaten to death by police, neo-Nazis or KKK members. Four African American teenage boys murdered him. The incident was captured on video.

Derrion Albert’s death is another recent example of the senseless violence that plagues our communities. Chicago is no different from other inner cities. According to CQ Press, the cities with the highest crime rates are New Orleans, LA, Camden, NJ, Detroit, MI, St. Louis, Oakland, CA, Flint, MI, Gary, IN, Birmingham, AL, Richmond, CA, North Charleston, SC, Cleveland, OH, Baltimore, MD, Miami Gardens, FL, Memphis, TN, Youngstown, OH, Atlanta, GA, Compton, CA, Orlando, FL, Little Rock, AR, Minneapolis, MN, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Jackson, MS, Newark, NJ and Milwaukee, WI. Most of those cities have large African American populations and relatively high homicide, poverty and unemployment rates.

Some young African Americans are waging a fratricidal war against their own community. One cannot watch the news without hearing about another young black homicide victim. There is no end in sight to this violence. According to the U.S. Census and the FBI, although African Americans constitute only 12.8 percent of the U.S. population, approximately 48 percent of all murder victims are African American. Over 90 percent of them are killed by other African Americans.

We have become completely desensitized to this kind of violence. We expect and accept it as a fact of life. Shortly after the incident, one of my Facebook friends posted a video of Central High School Principal and Newark City Council candidate Ras Baraka delivering a passionate speech regarding another violent incident, a shooting in Newark, New Jersey that occurred near the school. Addressing the predominately African American group of students in the auditorium, Baraka asserted that their plight was not normal. Instead of changing the situation, the students have adapted to their environment.

As Baraka stated, in many inner city neighborhoods, you will see murals, graffiti, and t-shirts honoring young African American homicide victims. Many wear this harsh ghetto reality as a hideous badge of honor. They proudly use words like “hard” and “gangster” to describe themselves and their neighborhoods. Popular hip hop music celebrates violence and eulogizes the deceased. As rapper Talib Kweli says in his song Africa Dream, they “drink champagne and toast death and pain like slaves on a ship talking about who got the flyest chain.”

If Derrion was murdered by the police or by a group of racists, the civil rights community and black politicians would be have been enraged. Rev. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been on every television station in America condemning this brutal murder. They would have organized mass demonstrations. ColorofChange.org would have launched another online petition drive and thousands of people would have signed the petition. Although it is commendable that civil rights leaders issued statements and attended the funeral, that is insufficient. Where is the sense of urgency? What is their long term plan of action?

This violence is a symptom of the underlying problems of concentrated generational poverty, unemployment and inferior schools. Instead of spending billions of dollars waging a so-called war on terror in Iraq, America must wage a war on poverty. Rather than spending billions of dollars bailing out avaricious Wall Street companies, the Obama Administration should devote similar resources to ending poverty. According to news reports, Attorney General Eric Holder will make a statement regarding this incident. Hopefully, Attorney General Holder will unveil a bold strategy to confront this crisis.

In addition to governmental involvement, the African American community, the parents, the churches and the mosques must bear responsibility as well. We cannot simply sit on our hands waiting for the government to save us from ourselves. We must support mentoring programs and anti-gang initiatives.