Bush's highs and lows with black Americans

President Bush has had a rocky relationship with black Americans.

True, he appointed popular retired Gen. Colin Powell to his Cabinet, making him the first black secretary of State in history.

He installed Condoleezza Rice as his national security advisor (another first) and then, in his second term, as Powell's successor at State.

And, in what may emerge as his singular humanitarian achievement, Bush spearheaded a massive program to help stop the spread of AIDS in Africa.

But the war in Iraq was deeply unpopular among African Americans. His judicial appointments were seen as hostile acts. Mostly, Bush has never recovered from the flawed government response to Hurricane Katrina.

He tried, with so many trips to comfort victims of the storm, like the one in the photo above from Biloxi, Miss. But scenes from that 2005 storm still scar the national memory. We can still imagine hundreds of Gulf Coast residents, many of them African Americans, clinging to their rooftops or stranded without adequate food, water or sanitation in government shelters.

Today, after a historic moment in the nation's history when Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president, George W. Bush spoke to the aspirations of black Americans. In remarks from the Rose Garden, he said:

No matter how they cast their ballots, all Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday. Across the country, citizens voted in large numbers. They showed a watching world the vitality of America's democracy, and the strides we have made toward a more perfect union. They chose a president whose journey represents a triumph of the American story -- a testament to hard work, optimism and faith in the enduring promise of our nation.

Many of our citizens thought they would never live to see that day. This moment is especially uplifting for a generation of Americans who witnessed the struggle for civil rights with their own eyes -- and four decades later see that dream fulfilled.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo credit: Eric Draper / White House

Comments

THE CHANGES HAS COME THANK YOU OBAMA

[Daisy]

Regarding: "Change has come":
I'm STILL trying to figure out what kind of change Obama is talking about. The change towards extreme socialism? Change in color/race? Change as in what's left in your pockets after redistribution? Do tell....

On the bright side, we don't have to put up with McCain/Palin anymore (especially Palin!). It's been an agonizing election. I'm so glad this is over -- disappointed but glad.

One thing to the Obama people -- please no more bailouts, stimulus packages, etc. Let's stop devaluating our dollar.

[jnice]

bush could care less about us. he was so calm when the world trade center got hit. all he good for is the tax rebate. bush took a pix with the blacks for publicity. bush had rushed off troops to thir death in the middle east. bush didnt help the victims in katrina. bush needs to get to steppin and get the u knw wht out of the whitehouse. thnks oto bush and the war the econmy is suffering. bush is all about bush . he aint good for nothing except makin the rich richer .bush so many people will be so happy when u leave the white house . it will be a day in history , it wil be a day of rejoicing and happiness . please go back to texas cause u so crooked like the tampered votes in florida. oh bush the people in the middle east cant stand u and yet all the people that voted for u u screwed them out of jobs , u sent their sons off to war and had their families burry them. what have u done foramerica . oh yup thst right thanks to your wonderful adminsitration the economy has u to thnaks vote for bush and have your sons killed in the war . gas prices get higher, hurricane victims treated liek people in 3rd world countries, go republicans. however too bad god dont like ugly . oh poor bush has to leave the white house, halleuia praise the lord . dear lord please send presiden bush packing so americans can rejoice and the belss of heavens will once sound again

[alan]

the change..the change for the change thats the change we are going to change...so lets all be apart of the change

[John Turner]

Bush selected Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell on the basis of their expertise, not their skin color. He gave them both a national spotlight to carry out their duties in full view of a nation still dealing with racial issues. Both have been exemplary of the American dream, utilizing education, hard work and diligence in solving problems that affect all Americans.
Black America can learn from their success, as well as Obama's, that education, poise, grace under fire, and the ability to articulate a stance and advocate a solution will get you ahead much faster than bling, attitude, and hostile demeanor.
To be a unifier, you must first seek to unify; not isolate, divide and escalate differences that foster old wounds.
Today in America we are desperate for leaders who will protect the innocent and vulnerable citizens from those who would prey upon us, be they terrorists, criminals, or just ruthless businesspeople taking unfair advantage of a trusting public.
We all are desperate for leadership in addressing many critical issues that have been unresolved due to partisan bickering and power mongering.
Washington can't stop a hurricane, flood, tornado, or even redirect the rain. But we somehow expect our leaders to resolve everything to our satisfaction before, during, and after the storm.
I can only hope and pray that Obama and our newly elected administration will lead the free people of this nation, the legislators that represent us, and the huge and often wasteful bureaucracy they create --to accept responsibility for their choices, their actions and the ultimate consequences.
Each of us has a duty to be self-sufficient and capable of handling our own affairs. Obama can inspire and motivate us, but we must do our part by engaging our own abilities first.
Of the people, for the people, by the people.

[thescoop]

There is a change that needs to come and it lies on the shoulders of black America please view the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2U0jmZjec

[kevin]

How about Bush's refusal to implement hate crimes legislation after the killing of James Byrd? Don't remember him? He was tortured and slaughtered by a group of three white men in Jasper Texas in June 1998. Bush was governor of the 'Great State of Texas' at the time. The American people didn't seem to have a problem with electing Bush President even after then knowledge that he sat on his hands about enacting laws against this sort of domestic terrorism. The world and our country is a much changed place. The election of our new president is a step towards healing the injustices of our country against people of color. Oh, and by the way, I'm a white guy.

[joshua]

I can't wait until Obama reads his first Presidential Daily Brief and then meets with all the Joint Chiefs of Staff. That is when he will have his first "come to Jesus"moment on pulling the troops out of Iraq.

[marti]

the day this country AND the people stop saying..." We are the greatest country in the world, we the richest and the most POWERFUL" and "our leader is the of the leader of the free WORLD"
that day, just, might be the day you gain respect from the rest of the WORLD.