Civil rights leaders say Obama makes the grade

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Sunday, April 26, marked the 100th day since the inauguration of America's first Black president. Civil rights leaders seem elated with the direction in which the new president is leading the nation. President Barack Obama's initial accomplishments have included:1. His immediate confrontation to the nation's failing economy amidst which he now sees "glimmers of hope";

2. The reversal of a string of anti-union executive orders issued by the Bush Administration;

3. The establishment of the Middle Class Working Families Task Force;

4. The closing of the controversial Guantanamo Bay lockup for alleged terrorists;

5. His tour of Europe with First Lady Michelle Obama, which raised good will for America abroad during the G-20 economic conference;

6. His trip to Mexico with hopes of stopping violent drug cartels and preventing them from entering the U. S.

7. His reaching out to Cuba for the renewed relationship, supported by the Congressional Black Caucus.

8. A new commitment to pour millions of dollars into the prevention and awareness of HIV/AIDS in America.

But, specifically, how is the new president doing on issues pertaining to African-Americans from a civil rights perspective? Pointing out that 100 days is simply not enough time to tell, some civil rights leaders give him an A so far; most also noting an 'incomplete' on the grassroots economy.

"There are some A's and a couple of incompletes," says the Rev. Jesse Jackson in a phone interview from Thailand. "I think the position against torture, an A." Jackson noted that President Obama put a credible face on America's foreign policy at the G-20 conference building trust capital in an environment where Bush had trust deficit disorder.

Jackson also listed Obama's reaching out to Cuba, Venezuela and the overture toward Iran as all A's along with his dealing with the student loan industry, which Jackson described as a "$95 billion a year rip off." But, the incompletes - mainly in the area of economics - are clear, he says.

"There's an incomplete on the stimulus because it must be more targeted to get to the bottom. As the states get it, they're using the term 'shovel- ready'. But, shovel-ready for those who don't have a shovel because of the lack of capital and lack of credit means they may not be ready. That could be seen as boot straps without the boots."

To be fair, Jackson conceded that the President could only demand that the money gets out of Washington. "But, we must demand that the states get it down to where the people are," he said.

"We have to be certain that it gets down to the most unemployed the most in need of training, the most in need of business development. That's an ongoing struggle there."

As Black unemployment surges toward 14 percent, National Urban League President Marc Morial agrees. On a scale of 1-10, Morial gave the President a 9 for his first 100 days. In the Black community Morial cited a need for greater civil rights enforcement and the need for help with job development.

"The creation of an agency taskforce to assist African-Americans in securing construction jobs and green jobs; and the hiring of African-Americans in subcabinet positions at Education, HUD, Labor and Health & Human Services," Morial says.

Like Jackson, he says African-Americans must press local and state government to do right by stimulus money.

"We need to remain engaged and hold mayors, governors and local school districts accountable for the stimulus dollars to ensure that African-Americans are included in its benefits," Morial says.

Morial also praises Obama for getting off to a fast start with the passage of the stimulus bill, the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and the appointment of Attorney General Eric Holder.

While civil rights leaders across the board applaud the new president, they almost consistently stopped short of the highest rating of 10, noting the incomplete on the issues pertaining to grassroots African-Americans.

"President Obama has tackled some of the critical issues affecting this country, reversed some of the wrongs of the previous administration and has offered hope for all Americans," said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. But, he quickly noted criminal justice issues that need work.

"We would like to see the President pass a series of laws that would do away with racial profiling, eliminate the excessive use of force by law enforcement and enforce strict guidelines on prisoner treatment."

Like other leaders, Jealous also strongly points out economic deficiencies in the Black community.

"Our citizens are losing their homes at a rate we have never seen before, small businesses are folding and more Americans are losing their jobs every day. President Obama needs to address these issues and address them fast," Jealous says.

The greatest help for the administration must be everyone's patience says Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. "We didn't get in the morass we're in today overnight and we're not going to get out of it in 100 days or 200 days or even in a year," Henderson said.

Perhaps Jackson put it in the most succinct nutshell. "We're better off than we were before he was inaugurated.