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Russell Simmons Writes Open Letter to President Obama: Let’s Address Black Issues This Time Around
Dear President Obama,
As you know, everything I live for speaks to a post-racial America. I am integrationist in my business practice, my charitable work and my personal life. I want the same for everyone, all the time, and I believe in freedom and justice for all people. I cannot go to sleep at night, unless I know that I am fighting for everyone to benefit from the same rights that I take for granted. These are the core principles that I live by.
Mr. President, I am deeply concerned about the future of urban America, specifically the plight of people of color. Our nation is witnessing an all-out attack by the right-wing against those are struggling the most during these very difficult times, and sadly they are black and brown people. I have been at your side during this extraordinary and beautiful American journey in which you have showed your deep commitment to our country in attacking an economic depression our people didn’t cause, wars they didn’t ask for or want, and levels of poverty and inequality they don’t deserve. During this last presidential campaign, I traveled from state to state helping ensure that we continue our mission to uplift those who are fighting everyday to get into the middle class. However, there are many living in poverty who feel they will never get out. I know you have to be the President not just to black America, but to all America, but they need to hear your loud voice, as only a President like you can have this critical conversation with our community.
Mr. President, I am concerned that there are some people in Washington who will not let you protect our communities. We know it is very difficult to speak up about these issues without getting attacked by those right wing critics in Congress. But, I have spoken to thousands of ordinary Americans and I have heard stories that have challenged us to do more. When 50 people are shot in Chicago every weekend during the summertime, that’s a black problem. When black men are unemployed in some cities at rates above 40 percent, we are in trouble. When 74 percent of African-American boys do not graduate from high school in New York City, they aren’t just failing out, we are failing them. We know that if these epidemics were happening in White neighborhoods, it would be declared a national emergency. Instead, this has become the status-quo for our communities. Although I am writing about black America, this is not solely about race, but rather this is about a new America, that no longer values one life more than the other.
Those who are still living in struggle, are deeply concerned about the obstructionist Republicans in the House of Representatives who have done nothing but made your job more difficult. These patriotic Americans are concerned because they are afraid that they will be forced to carry the burden of a recession whose wrath they have already felt. They are asking for a “circle of protection” from non-profits, religious leaders, cultural figures and politicians, as we enter into the so-called “fiscal cliff” negotiations. But even further than that, they are asking for an agenda that will dismantle the systemic injustices that have plagued these communities for decades.
If our ultimate goal is putting Americans back to work and creating new jobs for young people, let’s work backwards. What is preventing these communities from entering or re-entering the work-force? Or rather what skills are needed for them to be competitive? After listening to people’s stories from across this country, this is what I have learned we need to do in order to re-build our families, our communities, our companies and our neighborhoods.
1. End the “War on Drugs.” For the past forty years, we have unsuccessfully waged a war against our own people, creating a “baby to prison” pipeline that has annihilated the working population of young black and brown men. Through the use of archaic and unjust laws, we have been able to warehouse millions of prisoners, many of whom were first-time, non-violent offenders. The solution to our drug problem is not imprisoning more people, it is rehabilitation, fair laws and drug courts.
2. Continue the viscous assault on the eradication of poverty. Levels of poverty have hit an all-time high during this recession, however we have solutions that can bring these numbers down. We should continue to innovate programs for the most vulnerable, including job-training (technical skills), fatherhood classes, healthcare prevention, teen-pregnancy prevention, after-school activities (including arts and sports) and more access to healthier foods.
3. Build the best and affordable education system in the world. Your understanding of education as a path out of poverty has resonated with millions of families in this country. Your protection of Pell grants, promotion of community colleges and the “race to the top” initiative have been some of your greatest accomplishments in your first term. The 2020 goal of America having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world is attainable and we should keep fighting to reach it.
Mr. President, this is about your legacy. You will not run for another office. You will not have to campaign ever again. Our communities showed up in record numbers during this last election, many of them still waiting in line to vote when you were giving your victory speech at 1:30 in the morning. We know we will face resistance from Republicans and their rich, lobbyist friends, so that is why we need you now more than ever. You seem to be the only one in Washington who is willing to stand-up to these bullies. If we focus on these three agenda items, while continuing to build employment opportunities, I humbly believe that we will put all Americans back to work in due time. Not only will it grow and strengthen our economy, but we will create a future where “the young boy on the south side of Chicago” you mentioned on election night, will be able to see his life beyond the nearest street corner. At that point, we will know, our work is done, and your legacy will be sealed.
Jahi
November 26, 2012 at 9:06 pm
http://soundcloud.com/jahi-music/living-life-in-a-dream a song that speaks DIRECTLY to the points mentioned by Russell.
Cassidine
November 26, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Well said. Thank you for your power of penmenship.
Not a Fan
November 26, 2012 at 9:10 pm
The “issues” Simmons has highlighted when asking the president to focus on the black community are issues that are facing ALL of our communities.
I’m sick of people thinking that racisim is only one sided and that black people can’t be racist.
By trying to seperate the races and say THIS races issues need to be focused on – you are RACIST!
I wonder if Simmons has ever even seen these impoverished, uneducated, drug addicted people that he “lives” for in his post-racial America.
Or does he just give them a “rush” card and tell them to keep on moving…
Ted
November 27, 2012 at 10:56 am
To Not A Fan,
that is obvious, It is also very obvious you have no knowledge or information concerning the rampant racism that has pledged this county going back to the Pre-Revolution War Days. It would be necessary for you to read a book to get this information. The current statistics also reveal the sensational disparity concerning employment, education, and health. These issues can be lessened, by application and activation. I am sorry that you didn’t just let this article go by you because you have revealed your intellectual and scholarship thru your response. I hope that one day we can bridge the problems that you seem to propagate.
D.C.
November 26, 2012 at 9:14 pm
AND WHAT THE HELL DOES HE KNOW ABOUT BLACK ISSUES? He would never give a Black woman the time of day if one had not born him into the world.
Angel
November 26, 2012 at 9:54 pm
You sound like an angry black woman! He doesn’t have to date a black woman to know the black experience, look at his skin color idiot; then, get over it, your’e not his type.
It is people like you that makes the letter written necessary. I bet you are a black racist.
I am black and it does not matter what color your mate is, you are still black, born black and will die black.
Your ignorance is appalling
Ebony
November 26, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Okay let’s say he does address black issues this time around. After his 2nd term is up, then who will address them? We have been having issues for so many years and we’re always looking to black politicians to save us. So I ask again, once Pres. Obama’s 2nd term is up then who will address them? If we did not have a black president, who will we look to to address our issues?
Angel
November 26, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Please name the black politicians you have been waiting to help you out.
Ebony
November 26, 2012 at 9:53 pm
And after president’s 2nd term and we still have these issues, then what?
Mary L Rice
November 27, 2012 at 3:18 am
Just what is it that he wants the president to do? Can he make the black and brown people go to school? Can he make them stay away from drugs? Can he make them stay off the corners and look for jobs? Can he stop them from killing each other.Can he make them pull their pants up and have pride in themselves? Seems to me these are things that are TAUGHT AT HOME I don’t think that”s the ROLL of the President.
There comes a time when we have to take responsibility for our own destiny.
Tyrone
November 27, 2012 at 4:02 am
What are black issue ????? What a stupid thing to do…..This is a country founded on white racism……..Anytime you make an issue a black issue …It becomes a none issue!!!!
Tyrone
November 27, 2012 at 4:04 am
BLACK PEOPLE YOU HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENT OBAMA JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY
I’m black and voted for President Obama because he was the best candidate for the country! I didn’t vote for Senator John McCain because he would have been the worse to ever take the office of President! Four year later I witness President Obama receive the worse America in the history of America! The condition former President G.W. Bush left to the next President was horrible and destructive to a democracy! The hole the Bush/ Cheney administration dug was deeper then the President and the country could dream of! Yet many right winger believe President Obama should had correct in two years. What Bush /Cheney took 8 years to mess UP!The team of Bush/ Cheney “WILL” go down in American history as the worse team EVER! On every level of America being better the Republican team of Bush/ Cheney made “WORSE”!
Now after saying all that there are some black people that thinks that the first black President should had did more for them! WHY? You should understand that President Obama has inherit two wars ( Afghanistan & Iraq)! A prescription plan for senior citizen the “Bush Tax Cuts” all not paid for!!! More natural disasters then any other President before him! The worse mortgage scam in American history losing 750,000 jobs a month because of the Bush/ Cheney policies! Once President Obama took office he had to correct and re-direct and change the evil started by the Bush’s administration! “FIRST”! Those things President Obama change “BLACL PEOPLE THAT THINKS OBAMA DID NOTHING FOR THEM” !!!!!!! Benefited all Americans:
1. President Obama got the stimulus package pass that benefited “BLACK PEOPLE”!
2. President Obama sign into law “Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act” benefiting “BLACK WOMEN”!
3. President Obama overturn “Don’t asked Don’t tell” that respected gay BLACKS IN MILITARY”
4. President Obama found and killed “Bin Laden” this benefited BLACK PEOPLE”!
5. President Obama negotiated what was a 75 million cap for the BP spill recovery and turn it into a 20 billion dollar recovery. That benefited “BLACK PEOPLE”!
6. President Obama’s policies lower the unemployment rate to 7.8% benefiting some “BLACK PEOPLE”!
7. President Obama stimulus package save two million jobs and create a million jobs. Benefiting “BLACK PEOPLE”!
8. President Obama save the auto industry saving 2 million jobs benefiting “BLACK PEOPLE”!
9. President Obama stimulus gave 95% of a American a tax cut. That benefited “BLACK PEOPLE”!
10. President Obama ended the Iraq war saving American troop from fighting dying in a unnecessary war. That benefited “BLACK IN THE MILITAY!
11. President Obama capture and killed over 30 high ranking terrorist . That benefited “BLACK PEOPLE!
12. President Obama did what 7 decade of pass Presidents tried and fail to do..Past a Health-care plan…Less then a year in office President Obama GOT IT DONE! That benefited “BLACK PEOPLE”!
NOTE: There is much much more that “BLACK PEOPLE” have benefited from the election of President Obama. I acknowledge that unemployment for “BLACK PEOPLE” is high! But there are historical reason for that! From America beginning “BLACK PEOPLE” have always been last hire first fire! President Obama has “NO”control over that! After 43 white only male only President to hold the first black President to a level. NEVER achieve by 43 white only male only Presidents is WRONG! The night before President Obama took office 15 Republican plotted to sabotage the country and President Obama Presidency. And President Obama still got allot done! If the first black President EVER showed favoritism toward “BLACK PEOPLE” he would NEVER be re-elected! President Obama maybe the first President for “ALL” Americans. There “NO” class-warfare “”NO” dividing the country. President Obama has shown a respect for all Americans
Tyrone
November 27, 2012 at 4:20 am
AMERICA’S BIG PROBLEM
America’s big problem is the fact that it will not acknowledge it’s horrible and disrespectful and unfair uneven START! Establish American past of the “HAVES” and the “HAVE NOTS” laid the ground work for it’s destruction and disrespect of minorities! Slavery “Segregation” “Jim Crow Law” Discrimination” and Pure Hatred”! As a result America is divided and white racism is responsible! The evil and power of “white racism” has ruled the direction of America and cause it’s down fall! Every institution in America has been polluted with “white racism” The majority (WHITE PEOPLE) has alway helped the majority. By belittling and discriminating against the minorities UNFAIRLY!
There was never “picking yourself up by your boot strap”. The majority use their power of “white racism” and the fact of being the majority to promote the white race! Merit and hard work was never part of the majority in the beginning! Today the country is suffering because of America white racist divide! White Greed” White Superiority” and the country being majority white. Contribute to America’s divide and downfall! This is not a racist post it is stating the reality of America! We can’t change or fix what we won’t acknowledge! America’s big problem continue to be white racism!
What is really upsetting in my opinion without white leadership this will be America’s way of life FOREVER! The lack of white leadership and the fact that many in America’s society refuse to acknowledge the evil of white racism. White Racism will rule and destroy America! We see it with the election of the first black President. White politician and white media has disrespected President Obama. To a level never seen toward an American setting President! Yet many in the media are reluctant to identify the clearly racist disrespect WHITE RACISM!
LaBimmer
November 30, 2012 at 7:53 am
…and then we climb in the bed with them!!!
GiGi
November 27, 2012 at 9:49 am
Tyrone said it BEST!
shell
November 27, 2012 at 11:20 am
I really didn’t get what does he know about the african american plight because he dates outside of his race(fyi his ex is biracial..black and asian). Dating outside of your race doesn’t make you less black…being a republican does. Just kidding…LOL! He is addressing the issues that effect the black community and the obstruction demonstrated by the republican party. I do not think there is anything racist about the letter or the fact that Simmons wrote it. He is concerned about his community, his people, and America. He said, “let us address the black issue” and being that President Obama was a community organizer…I’m sure he is well aware.
One Spark
November 27, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I think it is a very sad day when we focus on skin color and not the issues. I think there are a lot of people who are hurting and it has nothing to do with skin color, who he is dating, if he remembers what it is like to be black or any other sideline issue.
The real problem is that the government is broken. Here is what I mean…the Democrats nor the Republicans will work together to fix a problem that has been going on for years. I think when we stop the blame game and get to the heart of the issue things will start to turn around.
First we must hold the government accountable on both side. We need to get a budget that will allow us to reduce debt and start to turn this ship around.
The last thing is we must be kind to the people we disagree with. Do not let this become personal but focus on the problem. We may have to agree to disagree but we must never allow our hearts to be filled with hate and nasty feelings and say things that are mean.
LaBimmer
November 30, 2012 at 7:16 am
If we don’t work with each other, how in God’s name will we ever get anyone else to respect us. It’s about us making our community better first, before we look to someone else. Take an example from the first family.
BONNIE DICKERSON
November 27, 2012 at 4:42 pm
WE AS A PEOPLE MUST NOT JUST STOP AT THE POLLS IN VOTING FOR THE PRESIDENT WE MUST CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE WITH OUR PRESIDENT WE HAVE POWER POWER WITH OUR COMMUNICATION DEVICES WITH OUR FOOTWORK DEVICES (BOYCOTT) POWER WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES AND YES I SAID AS MICHAEL BASIDON SAYS IN OUR RELIGION AND FAITH DO NOT FORGET WHO BOUGHT US MOST OF THE WAY MARTIN LUTHER KING DO NOT FORGET THERE IS POWER WITHIN OURSELVES AND WE MUST EXERT THAT POWER TO THOSE RIGHT WINGED REPUBLICANS WHO KEEP BLOCKING LAWS THAT WILL PLACE OUR PEOPLE IN A POSITION OF MIDDLE CLASS BUT WE AS A PEOPLE MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND IN TODAY’S MARKET MUST DO IT WITHIN OURSELVES MEN MUST RAISE MEN AND WOMEN MUST RAISE WOMEN AND TAKE AN APPROACH AS TO WHAT LIFE IN THE MIDDLE CLASS REPRESENTS TO US AS A PEOPLE OF COLOR LEADERSHIP PRIDE A SENSE OF BEING NOT THE LATEST GADGET BUT THE LATEST IN THE SENSE OF A PERSON WHO HAS BOUGHT SOMETHING INTO THE WORLD AND LEFT A LEGECY TO IT SO YOU CAN LOOK BACK AND SEE WHERE YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE THAT CHILD YOU SEE HEADED FOR JAIL AND NO EDUCATION IS A PERSON FIRST AND MUST HAVE GUIDANCE THAT YOUNG LADY WHO KEEP HAVING BABIES UPON BABIES AND LIVING A CERTAIN LIFE STYLE MUST BE TOLD TO STOP AND DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR LIFE AND THEN DO IT SOMETIMES THE STRUGGLE IS WITHIN OURSELVES AND OTHERS ARE SO EASY TO BLAME IT ON SO AS I SAID DO NOT STOP AT THE POLLS AND PUT IT ALL ON ONE MAN AS JOHN KENNEDY ONCE SAID AND I LOVE THIS PHRASE ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY OR COMMUNITY OR HOME OR SCHOOL OR YOUR SENSE OF BEING
Renay
November 28, 2012 at 12:09 pm
SOME ONE PLEASE LET OBAMA KNOW THAT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT ON WHITES AND OTHER CULTURES MENTAL HEALTH, EVENTHOUGH BLACKS SUFFER MORE. COUNTIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE REALIZING THE IMPACT DRUGS, (WAR ON DRUGS) PLAY IN EACH OF OUR COMMUNITYIES , YET BLACK COMMUNITYS HAVE BEE LEFT OUT OF BEING GIVING THE PROPER SUPPORT, TO START THE GENERATIONAL HEALING. PLEASE LET PRESIDENT OBAMA KNOW THAT EACH TUFF/STRONG PRESIDENT HAD TO MAKE THE TUFF DESISSION,WEATHER IT UPSET WHITE AMERICA OR NOT. I PRAY OBAMA DONT CONTINUE TO ALLOW THE BLACK(DECENDENT OF SLAVES)CULTURE DO MELT AWAY.
LaBimmer
November 30, 2012 at 7:11 am
Dear Mr. Simmons:
You are married to a white women and ask the president to deal with black issues? Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
Kurapika
December 13, 2012 at 1:11 am
I would love to get the president an . He could then smoke where he wants and his wife wudoln’t get mad at him. It would also be great for people to see that one can quit the awfull things.