Can We Talk? Loop 21 on its Obama Series

Questioning the president's record on black issues sparks outrage; Loop 21 responds

This week, Loop 21 published a series of five stories that each provided an in-depth look at the impact of President Barack Obama's first term in office. On Friday, we wrapped up the series with a story about Obama’s education policies. On Thursday, we covered the president's immigration policies, and on Wednesday we provided the 411 on his historic healthcare reforms. Tuesday's focus was on Obama’s war policies.

But it was the story with which we launched our series Monday, a look at African American critics who say the president hasn’t done enough for the black community, that seemed to spark a firestorm among our readers. The story delved into the passionate viewpoints of some within the black community who feel Obama has not been a strong enough advocate for blacks during his term in office.

Some readers felt our article was a betrayal of their beloved president.

"Shame on the author of this article for even suggesting anything outside of the great job he has done!" opined one reader who identified herself in the comments section as OKina Tenelle Alford of Arlington, Texas.

Other readers felt our story validated their conservative point of view. A reader who identified himself as Milton Reid commented that when it comes to the nation's first African American president, blacks should "recognize that the person that you placed so much faith in has little to no real interest in your welfare as a people. His agenda is much larger and if by chance blacks benefit from his agenda it is not out of an intentional act by Obama but rather as an indirect consequence of his larger agenda."

Still other readers appeared to have a more nuanced view of the article:

"Thank you for being opened minded. I want what is best for this entire country. It will take all of us to set this right again." -Stacey Newport

"I stand for my president not because he is black but because he actually cares that this conversation starts with me and moves forward with him...what have you done for yourself lately?" -Maryam Hafeezah

"I am better off than I was four years ago. I don't need the President to do for me. I need him to provide the tools in the system for me to take advantage of. But in the end it is MY work, MY drive and MY progress. I don't need my hand held." -Darrell Robinson

We at Loop 21 recognize that there are many ways of looking at any particular issue. We strive to present these various points of view in stories that provide an objective recitation and analysis of data and events.

We appreciate the passionate feedback we received regarding President Obama, What Have You Done For Me Lately?, and we look forward to hearing from more of our readers on this series and the other great content Loop 21 provides each and every day.

Keep reading -- and keep sharing your opinions on this story and all the others you find on this site.

It's what good journalism is all about.

Sincerely,

The Loop 21 Editorial Team

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