Obama as role model for black youth? Not so fast

Since Nov. 4, when Barack Obama became the first biracial president of the United States, the prevailing sentiment has been: if Barack Obama can make it, so can you.

I’ve heard from many of my loyal readers who say that while they are happy Obama won the election, they resent the media’s implication that now we blacks should be motivated to achieve our dreams, or that we shouldn’t have any excuse not to excel.

Li’l Bankhead is adding his voice to the mantra that most of us didn’t wait around for Obama to motivate us to accomplish our dreams.

Bankhead said that while he supported Obama and saw him as a symbol of success he did not need him or anyone else to provide motivation for his dream of a career in the music industry.

Bankhead, real name Jerome Strickland, a D.J. on the V-103 urban music station in Atlanta, said he networked relentlessly, made personal sacrifices and worked long days and nights to teach himself the skills he needed for his career.

“They (his black friends) can’t sit back and say only a white man can be president. You can be anything you want to be — don’t let anybody tell you you can’t,” Bankhead said.

Source

Photo: Reuters

licia

blacks should have been motivated to act the hell right BEFORE the man got elected.
Kymystry

and HOW did you get a Obama didn’t motivate me spin from HIS statement ? ? ?

All he said is what Many Of us heard from Parents/Teachers?mentors before ….

Yawn !!!

NEXT
Naima

I am proud of this guy. Black parents need to get it together. What are YOU doing to make sure your kid makes it. Kids just aren’t gonna do well b/c they see some person who they never will meet do well.
No one ever discusses that Obamas parent and grandparents stressed education. They don’t pay attention to how he and Michelle were raised they just sit there an goo gaga at them.
LADYTEA

I’m quite sure a lot of black people were motivated before Obama won!! His winning just assures blacks, that it’s a new day, there’s no stopping us from being anything we want to be…
Lisa

What is it about Obama that constantly makes you throw shade his way Sandra? I understand that controversial statements indeed will only expand your audiences. I truly like opposing views, but it’s like you have your mind made up about Obama, Beyonce, Usher & Puffy-these people can do nothing right in your eyes, well occasionally Beyonce may wear some shoes you like.

I will love for you to do a special commentary on why you don’t like the people that I listed above and also add why you are in love with: Rihanna, Keyshia Cole, Monica & Tiny. You know your favs do wrong too, but you rarely admit it. Come on Auntie what gives?
http://myspace.com/themdivasinc Mimi Renee

yes @ LadyTea!! I was going to say the same thing. I think this just shows us even more as black people living in America, that the sky really is the limit and the only thing that holds you back in life is yourself.
ReadTheBlog

Ok, I didn’t get it…what does one have to do with another?
http://myspace.com/bettathaniwasb4 2bme

I agree with him Obama’s rise into the white house should not have motivated any black person to finally get off of their asses to do something..we are a people that without our contributions this country would be in ruins..this is with or without Obama..what Obama did was show that dreams could be achieved at a grander scale than most could ever realize
intensemocha

This is the statement the media stated, not what blacks stated so many “others” assumed that is why we supported obama, but this is a mute point we knew this already.

And for the record, the one drop rule was created by the government and not us so Obama is the first black elected president, not bi-racial. And of that was the case, his win would only attribute to the success of those who are bi-racial.

You can’t have it both ways, he’s a black man when you want to say something negative about him or to prove a point and then on the other hand he’s bi-racial to discredit his accomplishments-LOL too funny

IT IS WHAT IT T….I…IS SIT ON IT, MARINADE IN IT, BATHE IN IT-OBAMA IS THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT THE WHO’S, WHEN’S, WHAT’S, & WHY’S DON’T MATTER AT THIS POINT LET US LIVE AND LET IT GO HATERS! BRUSH YOUR SHOULDERS OFF-OBAMA DON’T PUT A MONKEY WRENCH IN THE WHOLE GAME-HIS WIN ONLY SOLIDIFIED THAT THEIR ARE DIFFERENT TYPE OF BLACK PEOPLE THE NICCAS AND GOOD HARD WORKING BLACK FOLKS-WE KNEW THIS ALREADY BUT THE REST OF THE WORLD WAS COMFORTABLE DEPICTATING IS IN ONE WAY ONLY-OBAMA HAS CHANGED THAT!!!!!!
shintrell

Many blacks were already motivated, but let’s be honest. Many never thought we would get to see a black president in our lifetime. I agree with those who said that it truly proved that the sky’s the limit.
kalvonel

While I’m very happy with Obama’s victory, I also realize that his winning won’t change too much for me. Mainly because I’ve always been self motivated. It’s like the media is trying to say that we, as black men, no longer can complain about “the man holding us down.” While I’m certain that who/whatever “the man” is will still be around for some time, we as black men can no longer use “the man” as an excuse not to pursue our goals and dreams. The message I hope we all take from this election is that – “Any goal or dream you can think of can be achieved with time and honest effort. The strength of your will determines the outcome; not what others say or do.”
terika83

He’s right….people should have been motivated BEFORE he became president…however, that still doesn’t mean he doesn’t give hope to people that didn’t believe things are possible before his win. People should DEF. believe that they can be anything they want to be…remember BO didn’t have ANYONE setting an example for him and showing him that “yes, you can be the first bi-racial president”…he had to set that tone himself..and he did it.
goat76

Some niggas need to be motivated by something…..If Obama being elected won’t get it done, maybe getting struck by lightning will………Watching a single parent raise 2 kids, was enough motivation for me…….
Mississippi16

I think that the proper word should be INSPIRE. Even MOTIVATED people get tired, weak and weary. He’s just an inspiration to keep moving during those times when you get complacent or feel like giving up.
goat76

good s hi t Ole Miss16
keely107

Why is it necessary to keep clarifying this? If some are motivated good for them, if others were already motivated good for them, but why is it bad if someone found a reason to get up and make soemthing of themselves? It sound to me as if some individuals feel a sense of unaccomplishment and have to rectify that by making these dumb ays who cares what u feel statements. Who the hell is Lil’ Bankhead? Anyway Obama has accepted the title of First Black Pres., unlike youyr boy Tiger Woods he hasnt said anything about being bi-racial! And why is this being stressed anyway? If its like that, why not say Minority? That was the REAL victory, that someone other than YT is in there, bi-racial, black, Mexican Im good.
http://smokiesays.blogspot.com/ Smokie

Different people need different ish. Maybe he didn’t need the motivatoin…great wonderful whooptee doo…But a lot of kids DO need that motivation.

This subject is STALE.
Mississippi16

Many of us on this site are probably motivated and have goals “within reason”. But I’ll bet my right ankle that of all the people posting on here… their motivation haven’t pushed them to set their sites as high as Presidential.

How many of us are really trying to run the companies that we work for? I don’t mean a damn manager or supervisor either. I mean CEO.

That’s the new inspriration that Barack have instilled in young men that’s already motivated and there’s nothing wrong for that.
Mississippi16

Hey Kym!

I’ll be dropping a package in the mail for you tomorrow. I left it at home today.
Kymystry

Hey Missip !!! YAY .. hugshugshugshugsssss
lexdiamonz

Some niggas need to be motivated by something…..If Obama being elected won’t get it done, maybe getting struck by lightning will………Watching a single parent raise 2 kids, was enough motivation for me…….

* and with that comment this topic is officially done*
could not have said it better!! !LOL!!
kwallace577

yall have said it all. i purposely waited until comments on this one had grew. i had my own thoughts but again they have already been covered. good job.
http://myspace.com/dannyblaq dblaq

Duh! some people are motiviated by money, power, ass, or attention.

I just say this:
For Obama wanting to be president in my eyes takes a lot of balls and higher purpose. Why would anybody want to jeopardize their and families life? Everybody knows that these white folks are having a chip on their shoulder for a black man (f**k that bi-racial crap you talking) to run this country, that has been built on robbery, rape, slavery and corruption. He is a like a thorn in their side. Bush and the republicans raped this country. Yeah so what that 95% of people are not doing well as long as the 5% that own everything can get more.

I never had any aspiration to become president ever, all these responsibilities and to be hated like that. Sorry $400K a year, I can get way more money doing what I do and my mind my little business.

It is easy for people to talk the talk but I doubt if there are many that can walk the walk
http://myspace.com/erikamagaly Hermosa

“Everybody knows that these white folks are having a chip on their shoulder for a black man (f**k that bi-racial crap you talking) to run this country, that has been built on robbery, rape, slavery and corruption.”

Not all white folks have chips on their shoulders, the majority of them voted for him. And he has referred to himself as a mutt, so for Sandra to call him bi-racial is accurate.

And this post is pointless. . .
goat76

@Hermosa……… Not the YT’s in Red States……..Front page of our newspaper….One headline reads “Gun sales soaring in area”…..Im sure some of it because of hunting, crime, and Obama being elected……..I’m living in Montgomery, Alabama………People don’t hunt animals with AR-15, they hunt other people wit AR-15…..
Kymystry

The state I live in is also a Red(neck) state … ’nuff said…
goat76

Or the Catholic Priest in South Carolina that won’t give communion to people who supported Obama…..
http://www.ultimate-assistants.com ursmyle4me

I think people are confused with the message. Obama’s election is an inspiration for those of us who already living the life that we want. Most of us have done what we needed to do way before Obama. His presidency has inspired me to continued to do more and take what I have to the next level. This presidency has not cured racism, but it definitely has set a tone in my life and when I interact with other people. I think the motivation message is for those people that have not done anything with their lives and have settled for less or nothing. If a mother out there having babies out of wedlock and on welfare has looked at Obama and felt the need to change the way she is, then the “change” that Obama talks about is happening in her life. That’s what I got out of it.

For once can people hear a positive statement and keep it positive. If you are doing what you suppose to do, why are you whining about it, or making sure “something is cleared up”. I wish people speak with their brains and not with just their tongue.

I almost want to say white people can’t wait to use this time to criticize and speak about how many blacks are ignorant and un-educated, but I am sure it will be the same as usual, black people being the crabs in the barrel…sad
http://myspace.com/erikamagaly Hermosa

@ Goat

Even in red stated there were white folks who voted for him. I can’t stand when people try to stereotype other people. Not all white people are racists and for someone to say that all white folks have chips on their shoulders is wrong. That’s prejudice.
http://myspace.com/erikamagaly Hermosa

goat76 Says:

Or the Catholic Priest in South Carolina that won’t give communion to people who supported Obama…..

===========================================================

But that’s not bc he’s black.
Amulet

Li’l Bankhead is basically saying that he was already focused.

That’s good. Wish more were like that.
goat76

@Hermosa…..I know what you mean and I don’t think all whites are prejudice…….but you have to live here to even feel what I’m talking about…….In my hometown newspaper blog on its website, you can see the hate……I know what you mean, but the majority rules down here………

An the Catholic Priest……..I hope you don’t think it was because of Obama’s stance on abortion……When McCain/Bush are murdering innocent Iraqi’s civilians and our own soldiers dying too……He wasn’t denying communion to Bush and McCain supporters…..and abortion was still legal under the Bush Admin……
Amulet

Obama meant change in America.

Inspiration should come from God.
http://myspace.com/erikamagaly Hermosa

@ GOAT

About the catholic priest. . .No, I don’t think that it was entirely about abortion. I’m sure he used his stance on abortion to mask his hate.

I see where you are coming from as far as majority rules where you live. Trust, even though I live in a big city like Chi City, racism and prejudice still happens everyday. I’m just glad I live in a place where that kind of ignorance, for the most part, isn’t tolerated.
http://www.myspace.com/lorettadivine DivineBrown

@Goat…don’t forget children. Saw it with my own 2.

OK GIVE THIS GUY A AROUND OF APPLAUSE AND 3 SNAPS IN A CIRCLE FOR HAVING AMBITION

*CLAPPING* *3 SNAPS IN A CIRCLE*

Let him motivate people that are stuck in a rut and think the world is against them. Let him be motivation for people that sit on their @$$ all day long collecting unemployment. Let him be motivation for them corner boys who know nothing but the hard knock life and the Hustle. Our young black children finally have an ICON that they can look up to, outside of the music industry. There are pockets of people in this country that need this type of motivation. Who cares that he didn’t need it. I know people that do.
http://myspace.com/docjam1 Doc Jam

TRUTH!
http://www.ultimate-assistants.com ursmyle4me

@ DivineBrown:

THAT IS SO RIGHT!

@Amulet Says:

Obama meant change in America.Inspiration should come from God
——————————–
ok, I’ll make this brief: God works through many of us to….wait for it…. inspire, motivate, and change others. From a “duh” and “common sense point”: Everybody should know that no matter what you do, if God is not in it, then it will fail/or won’t last.
shanie

Say it then Yall. Yall on here preachin today and I couldn’t agree with anyone of you more.

Change starts with all of us! No one ever said that OBAMA was gonna make the change come but like many of us he is an inspiration to encourage us that change can be done! I am all for change no one ever said it was gonna happen over night. There is still alot of work to be done!!!! I agree with Amulet….GOD says CUT ME IN OR CUT IT OUT!!!

Obama as role model for black youth? Not so fast

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