President Obama released his 2015 budget and it has sparked some excitement and interesting debate in the black community.
Many feel the budget is getting to the heart of what the black community has wanted from President Obama during his two terms in office. Others feel this is just more Presidential lip service to appease the black community, but not actually doing anything for the people.
Some media outlets are touting Obama’s 2015 budget as proof he is making the Black Agenda and black families a priority down the stretch run of his Presidency. The budget takes aim at getting black children in to college by supporting the HBCUs, taking on juvenile justice in the black community, and more.
You can see the official fact sheet here. Opportunity for All: Supporting African American Families
Here are a few of the highlights:
On support for minority businesses: “The budget includes $28 million for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to provide counseling, training, and technical assistance to minority business owners.”
On protecting Civil Rights: “The budget supports activities at the Department of Justice to ensure the protection of civil rights, including enforcing Federal prohibitions against racial and ethnic discrimination. In addition, the Budget provides resources to prevent and remedy discrimination in the workplace by maintaining strong support for the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.”
On reducing racial disparities in juvenile justice: “The budget, through the Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative, includes a new youth investment initiative that will incentivize state efforts to increase the availability of alternatives to incarceration, reenroll youth back into school after confinement, and reduce ethnic and racial disparities in the juvenile justice system … ”
On supporting HBCUs and access to college: “The budget provides $75 million for College Success Grants to support sustainable strategies to reduce costs and improve student outcomes at Minority Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. The cudget also sustains funding for GEAR UP and TRIO to help provide support services for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to prepare for, enroll, and complete postsecondary education.”
Opponents of Obama say this is just lip service to keep the black community from losing faith in the political system and their savior, Obama. The reasoning is because there is no way in hell this budget with the languange for African Americans and Latinos are going to get through the Republican held Congress, so these are worthless gestures by the President to maintain his image among the people.
Many find it curious, Obama waited until he lost control of the House during his first term to start attempting to do anything of consequence for the country or the black community.
These efforts down the stretch of his Presidency makes it seem like legacy building and not actual change for the black community.
If he puts all of these efforts into his budget, then he can forever say he tried to help the black community, but Congress just wouldn’t cooperate.
What say you?
0 Comments