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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe "what about me?" syndrome
For years black academics criticized the Obama administration for not targeting programs to the African American community. Obamacare didn't count - even though it has disproportionately affected people of color. All of his talk about income inequality didn't matter, neither did his proposal for universal pre-K. What they wanted to see were initiatives that directly (and only) affected African Americans.
Then along came the announcement about President Obama's "My Brother's Keeper" program targeting boys of color. It didn't take long for many of the same critics to go after that one because it didn't include girls. As I see it, this is what most efforts to target a specific community will eventually face...the "what about me?" syndrome.
That's not to say that its wrong to initiate and promote targeted programs. Sometimes they're needed. Its more about the fact that when they are proposed, we need to remember WHY they're targeted and - by definition - will exclude.
There's a reason why I referred to "black academics" in describing the critics. Efforts like "My Brother's Keeper" have been underway in many communities around the country without the kind of backlash we're seeing to President Obama's initiative (see: Becoming a Man). There are even national programs like the Cradle to Prison Pipeline started years ago by the Children's Defense Fund (based on the fact that 1 in 3 black boys will spend time in prison over their lifetime) that have escaped the "what about me" syndrome. That's because people in the community (both men and women) KNOW these issues in their bones. It is their sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews, etc. who are living the reality right in front of their eyes. Truth be told, they're pissed and want action to change things...yesterday!
Read More:
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-what-about-me-syndrome.html
Cha
(297,119 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)And MsSmartyPants (for the OP).
That is exactly why President Obama has avoided targeted programs. When he does for poor folks and the working class, he does for Black folks, in the only way possible in America.
sheshe2
(83,728 posts)I know 1SBM and sadly...
However
http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-what-about-me-syndrome.html
The rest is up to us, I do not presume to know or feel what you have experienced, yet we need to do this together.
None of us can stand alone, poc and women all of us must stand together. "WE" What are we going to do? We talk We educate and never pause, our voices may become hoarse yet we talk on until it's done.
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)As much of a good fellow as our President is, he can really only do so much. People, of all ethnicities, must come together to help better the conditions of not just themselves and each other, but for humanity as a whole, if we truly want to make progress.
erpowers
(9,350 posts)They are asking for a national program to address the issues facing African American women. In a number of ways African American women are struggling more than African American men. African American men make more than African American women. Single African American women are more likely to raise children in poverty than single African American men. Finally, African American women have a net worth of $100
If some want to say people on the local level should develop programs to address the problems of African American women than why not leave the problems of African American men to the local level. If you are going to address the problems of African American men on the national level do the same for the problems of African American women.