george bush loves black people?
by Shauna Robinson
Published: February 28, 2008
In 2005, during a nationally televised fundraiser to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, Kanye West nervously uttered the famous phrase: “George Bush hates black people.” Whether you found the statement to be untimely or simple in a stupid way, the images of thousands of African-Americans hanging from rooftops and stranded on streets made the thesis difficult to debate. Three years later, I’m going to try.
On his way out the door with nothing to lose and approval ratings lower than any President in history, Bush started loving black people worldwide. During a recent press conference, the President stated: “The noose is not a symbol of prairie justice, but of gross injustice. Displaying one is not a harmless prank. Lynching is not a word to be mentioned in jest.” This seemingly unsolicited defense of civil rights and American decency was like a bear hug from Bush to black Americans and a warning to idiots everywhere. Apparently, O’Reilly didn’t heed our President’s advice.
A few weeks later, Bush visited Africa and was received like a hero. It’s no wonder when you realize that this administration has raised the continent’s profile by quadrupling its development assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa between 2000 and 2006. Not only has he given more money than any previous administration, effective programs to combat killers like AIDS and malaria have also been created.
The progress would have been more substantial if the programs weren’t hindered by his extreme religious ideology. For instance, some anti-AIDS programs who receive funding are required to implement an “abstinence only until marriage” philosophy. Even with these shackles, the President’s efforts positively affected the lives of millions of Africans - the original black people.
In addition to defending African Americans against racist language and symbols, and investing enormous amounts of energy and money into Africa, there’s one more argument against West’s premise that George Bush hates black people.
Barack Obama.
G.W. has the highest record of African American appointments. I’m not talking Assistant to the Assistant to the Assistant of Paper Clips. Not once, but twice, President Bush appointed a black individual as secretary of state.
Images are more powerful than words. In my other life, I’m a television writer, so I’m a bit biased. For seven years, Americans have seen countless images of Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice representing the President all over the world and on television programs like Meet the Press.
As a black female, I was shocked the first time I saw Rice with her brown skin, relaxed hair, and thick lips, speak as the voice of the nation on affairs of the state. I wasn’t surprised by her intellect, policies, or preparedness. I was amazed that we’d come so far as a nation that I could watch a woman on TV, who looked like one of my aunt’s, speaking for the White House.
Who knew that George Bush would prepare America for the first viable black presidential candidate? The fact that Powell resigned with his reputation in tatters and that Rice is forced to defend her boss’ horrible foreign policies is an ironic positive for black people. Non-black America doesn’t have to worry that they’ll be called racist for criticizing a black elected official. Powell’s legacy and Rice’s existence take regular beatings.
Now, the secret is out. We black Americans are just humans with as many good and bad ideas as the next guy.
Honestly, I don’t think that George Bush hates black people. As a resident of Los Angeles, I could go on for years about better ways to change the urban epicenters of America. But the truth is that Bush’s recent actions have reminded me that Bush sees black people as people. The reason that Kanye uttered that statement is because he and we felt invisible to America. When people feel invisible, they usually get angry. But Bush’s oversights on black issues are more about incompetence than racism.
George Bush definitely sees us. His timely defense against the use of the word “lynch” and nooses is appreciated. Though not perfect, his aggressive efforts to assist Africa’s development should be applauded. On a micro level, President Bush practiced real affirmative action by recognizing and recruiting talent that was outside of the mainstream.
As a black woman and a Barack Obama supporter, maybe I should write him a thank you note.
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