Obama’s Web Portal for African Americans: What Does It Really Mean?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

 

President Obama’s Web Portal for African Americans: Questions I’d Like to Have Answered

President Barack Obama just opened a new web portal for African Americans. The page drops to significant fanfare, with some feeling less than perfectly optimistic about the White House’s most recent gesture. The most interesting comment came from someone named Slim Jackson, who tweeted: "Can't help you in real life, so here's a page."

The site is likely in response to the fact that President Obama’s support among African Americans has been slipping. A recent poll at YourBlackWorld.com shows that roughly a third (34%) of black respondents are disappointed in the Obama presidency, which is likely reason for concern for the president. Black disappointment doesn’t necessarily give votes to the Republicans, but it can manifest itself in poor voter turnout. The argument that “the Republicans are worse than I am” is not likely going to be enough to get black folks out to the polls next year, so perhaps the administration would be wise to take notice.

 

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