WATCH: President Barack Obama Courting Black Voters; Is it Enough?
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 4:56PM 
Barack Obama is courting black voters and is pulling on emotional strings to do so. In his video greeting launching “African Americans for Obama,” the president uses images of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and references to overcoming “slavery and oppression” to pull on blacks’ heartstrings. But there’s a big problem that faces Obama. Black people are faring quite poorly in this economy and some feel the administration has failed them.
Because of all the promises of improvements from Obama whilst trying to get elected, African American people felt like he would be the one to give them a fair shake for a change. But that didn’t happen. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer. And blacks were told to “Take off your bedroom slippers, put on your marching shoes”—which left some folks feeling insulted. Now African Americans are asking, “Why aren’t things getting any better in our neighborhoods, communities, or job situations?”
In Obama’s address tailor-made for black America, he references, not his accomplishments, but the sacrifices of our ancestors to get him where he is.
In President Barack Obama’s address to African Americans images of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are interspersed throughout his speech.
With images of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. being flashed on the screen, he says, “I think about the generations of African American men and women who overcame slavery and oppression, risked their own safety to cast a ballot, even gave up their lives to help build a country that lived up to its founding principles. Their extraordinary hope, their unwavering determination, changed this country. Their efforts made it possible for someone like me to be here today.”
"We're greater together than we can ever be on our own," says Obama.
Do you think this message is effective? Will it resonate with black voters? Or is it not enough?
Reader Comments (20)
Over Barack Obama
Stop patronizing me please Obama
Dog us and then court us when you need votes. Really classy.
I don't know why there is so much hostility among black people. The man has only had A SINGLE TERM. At least give him as long as George Bush had to screw up everything.
Whoever did that video needs to be fired. That is just SO obvious. Black people are not stupid. We know what's being done here.
Wow I'm so glad I saw this video. Barack Obama now suddenly makes me feel like he's Martin Luther King Jr. #GimmeABreak
Signs with Martin Luther King Jr on them... really original.
Don't forget that Obama needs the white vote also and he had upset quite a few of those voters, especially those in the catholic church since passing a bill that says faith based organizations like hospital and charities must administer birth control products. If Romney was a better candidate Obama would be over with, but there's no real contest there from the republican side.
I used to really like Obama but I don't trust him anymore. I won't be voting for him again. Believe that.
My problem with Obama has to do with him being untrue to what he claims is his faith in Jesus Christ. How can you in good conscience support a president who is on the wrong side of the debate on gays, birth control? He will NOT get my vote again.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice... well, that ain't gonna happen.
All this needs is a "Chain of Fools" soundtrack. LOL
The man sang Al Green. How much more black can he be? *Insert Sarcasm*
Somebody thinks we're stupid!
I'm not black and I find this patronizing. When it comes to black people your president seems to think you will vote for him just for the color of his skin. He and his team should be smarter than that.
@Andy I am black and I agree with you.
That's why black people can't get ahead. We're forever tearing someone down. The president is doing a good job and I want to see him get back in for another term. Ugh! Black people.
At this point he could be purple. Obama has done a poor job for black people. #ThatIsAll
Barack Obama had my vote in 2008 and he has it again in 2012. The video, in fact, made me want to vote for him MORE!
I haven't watched the ad. But I know he is the only reasonable option in this election. I really hope people won't stay home this election cycle. Romney or Gingrich will have us back in indentured servitude(slavery) if you stay home this November.