My brothers keeper

[brandonb]

I'm at home with my crappy internet so I couldn't get all the details from the CNN feed.

But giving out money to young men and boys of color. Is this using tax payer dollars? If so, how is this not a violation of civil rights?

Like I said, I know nothing about it other than the ticket going across the bottom of CNN video feed at the moment. So I apologize in advance for my ignorance.

 

[Thebobo]

Here ya go

Obama announces 'My Brother's Keeper'
Posted by
CNN Anchor Don Lemon
(CNN) – It's a routine unfamiliar to many kids across the country.

"Every morning when I was in school I'd put on my vest, coat and go to school," 19-year-old James Adams said.

It wasn't a fancy, fashionable vest. It was bullet proof, and he said it was a part of his daily morning routine.

"It's hard. Sometimes I might take a different route home depending on time of day when I know gang-bangers are outside" he said.

It is the rough-and-tumble existence for many young black men like Adams all over the country where the street life of crime, violence and dropping out of school has become a reality.

And it is the polar opposite of the man that is the leader of the free world and resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Today the worlds of the President Barack Obama and Adams combine as the President announces "My Brother's Keeper." It's an administration initiative where leading foundations and businesses will donate at least $200 million over five years towards programs aimed at minority youth of color.

"What I explained to them was I had issues too when I was their age," Obama said last year. "I just had an environment that was a little more forgiving, so when I screwed up, the consequences weren't as high as when kids on the South Side screw up."

The administration says this initiative is a lifelong goal for Obama, even after he leaves office.
Rachael Shackelford contributed to this report.

 

[Thebobo]

Let the outrage commense

 

[spidey07]

Racist president is a fucking racist.

"my brother's keeper"? You can't make this shit up. Fuckstain in the white house doesn't surprise me anymore.

This guy is a fucking disgrace to the office and our country up there talking about his drug use as if he needs to up his "street cred".

 

[BurnItDwn]

Let the outrage commense

Wow, took 2 mins from your post ... hahahaha

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Here's a NY Times article on the My Brother's Keeper Initiative.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/u...itiative-to-empower-young-black-men.html?_r=0

Based on the article it appears that the President is trying to get non-profit organizations involved with funding/supporting this initiative. I think it's a program that's needed to help those who want to want to make something of themselves and help remove the barriers that hold them back..

 

[ivwshane]

Racist president is a fucking racist.

"my brother's keeper"? You can't make this shit up. Fuckstain in the white house doesn't surprise me anymore.

This guy is a fucking disgrace to the office and our country up there talking about his drug use as if he needs to up his "street cred".

Lol! Right on cue!

 

[Londo_Jowo]

Racist president is a fucking racist.

"my brother's keeper"? You can't make this shit up. Fuckstain in the white house doesn't surprise me anymore.

This guy is a fucking disgrace to the office and our country up there talking about his drug use as if he needs to up his "street cred".

And you wonder why people consider you to be a racist 🙄

 

[werepossum]

Seems to be soliciting private money for a worthy cause. Hardly a civil rights violation, seems to be a pretty smart thing.

 

[Bowfinger]

For those reasoning people who want more information before passing judgment, here's the "Fact Sheet" from the White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press...president-obama-launches-my-brother-s-keeper-

For bottom-dwelling, outrage-craving maggots like you-know-who, go Cheney yourself. You are a blight on humanity.

 

[rudder]

Let the outrage commense

No outrage, but it is shitty to exclude other races. There are poor, disadvantaged white people. People would poop bricks if a white politician started a white's only program.

Granted the percentages of disadvantaged youths are higher with minorities... But it is just like an elitist liberal to ignore a whole group who could need help.

 

[smackababy]

No outrage, but it is shitty to exclude other races. There are poor, disadvantaged white people. People would poop bricks if a white politician started a white's only program.

Granted the percentages of disadvantaged youths are higher with minorities... But it is just like an elitist liberal to ignore a whole group who could need help.

While I agree it would be a shit storm if a white man made a foundation to help impoverished white kids, I don't disagree with the program. Sure, it is targeted at black neighborhoods, but if there are white people there, I'm sure they will be helped. The fact is the number of black poor people is disproportionate to white people, and thus, a lot of crime mirrors that.

 

[Moonbeam]

And you wonder why people consider you to be a racist 🙄

He needs to lash out be because he hates himself and is in inner misery. It's really a plea for help. His brain if fucked up but he deserves love as much as anybody else. He has to try to keep you from having any sympathy for him so he turns his appearance into one that looks like shit. Don't be fooled by that. He is emotionally starving He radiates being underserving because it's how he feels. His feelings aren't really true. If you kick him he will only show you more of his hate, but if you love him it will drive him crazy. He's in a terrible catch 22, like being at the bottom of a well the sides of which, if you touch them, will collapse. The air supply to his joy is deeply restricted.

 

[BoberFett]

While I agree it would be a shit storm if a white man made a foundation to help impoverished white kids, I don't disagree with the program. Sure, it is targeted at black neighborhoods, but if there are white people there, I'm sure they will be helped. The fact is the number of black poor people is disproportionate to white people, and thus, a lot of crime mirrors that.

Will they turn away poor white kids living in poor neighborhoods which are overwhelmingly black? It's doubtful.

But you have to admit, having government sponsored programs that focus on specific races doesn't really follow the spirit of what we should be striving for. Isn't it just further institutional racism?

 

[Daverino]

Will they turn away poor white kids living in poor neighborhoods which are overwhelmingly black? It's doubtful.

But you have to admit, having government sponsored programs that focus on specific races doesn't really follow the spirit of what we should be striving for. Isn't it just further institutional racism?

Perhaps if we hadn't spent the first ~200 years of our nation's history with institutionalized racism we wouldn't need shit like this.

Seriously, we like to remind the Germans to be nice to the Jews, but they've got more bridge under the water than the US has with Blacks. . . We aren't in a post-race US. . . Yet.

 

[smackababy]

Will they turn away poor white kids living in poor neighborhoods which are overwhelmingly black? It's doubtful.

But you have to admit, having government sponsored programs that focus on specific races doesn't really follow the spirit of what we should be striving for. Isn't it just further institutional racism?

I do admit that. And it does seem a bit racist. However, I also understand that there is a limited amount of money and it would be (in theory, because this is the government we're talking about) largest effect in the predominately black communities. The South Side (of Chicago) is pretty bad.

 

[Angry Irishman]

Poor judgement excluding other demographics from the program. Makes the POTUS seem mildly racist. Hell even black girls are not accounted for.

I listened to half the pitch but never heard the real reasons this problem exists.

The statistics are of course true regarding young black males but this program isn't going to change anything significantly...as usual it's more about politics than anything.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

He needs to lash out be because he hates himself and is in inner misery. It's really a plea for help. His brain if fucked up but he deserves love as much as anybody else. He has to try to keep you from having any sympathy for him so he turns his appearance into one that looks like shit. Don't be fooled by that. He is emotionally starving He radiates being underserving because it's how he feels. His feelings aren't really true. If you kick him he will only show you more of his hate, but if you love him it will drive him crazy. He's in a terrible catch 22, like being at the bottom of a well the sides of which, if you touch them, will collapse. The air supply to his joy is deeply restricted.

Hmmm sounds a lot like you and your anger filled posts.

 

[mchammer187]

It is a small mostly symbolic gesture but a good one even if it just brings attention to the issue.

I'll bet the people that preach against black gang culture the loudest are the ones that admonish the president the most for this though.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

My assumption is that this initiative will focus on neighborhoods, not specifically individuals. So while the bulk of people helped will be black, there will also be a mix of Latino, Asian and white as well. These initiatives tend to target high-crime, and specifically high gang violence, areas, which are predominantly, but not exclusively, black. So it seems a little absurd to say that the bill is ignoring the problems faced by poor white people; it's looking at people who are more likely to be victims of gang violence regardless of race (it's just disproportionately black youth).

And, for what it's worth, white people do have charities; it's literally every charity that doesn't mention a specific race. Let's not start champing at the bit because someone proposed a charitable measure that you can't be a part of. You also aren't getting shot at on your way to school. Be grateful, not resentful. This is like being angry at the Gates Foundation for buying mosquito nets for Africa instead of being thankful that you live in an area where you don't have to worry about malaria.

 

[JEDI]

"My Brother's Keeper." It's an administration initiative where leading foundations and businesses will donate at least $200 million over five years towards programs aimed at minority youth of color.


just exactly how will $ be used from these foundations?
direct payments for youth of color???

 

[CanOWorms]

It's nice to have a president who cares about America.

 

[SheHateMe]

Well, I think its nice. There are so many bad neighborhoods out there where people don't have any positive influence or reinforcement.

I think its great that Obama wants to help groups affected by high crime and incarceration rates.

Also, "minorities" or "of color" does not just mean black people.

With all the hooting and hollering people do on this forum about "thugs" and "skittles"...I find it hilarious that one of those people are now screaming its racist to want keep people from becoming "thugs" and "skittles".

Data shows that boys and young men of color, regardless of socio-economic background, are disproportionately at risk throughout the journey from their youngest years to college and career. For instance, large disparities remain in reading proficiency, with 86 percent of black boys and 82 percent of Hispanic boys reading below proficiency levels by the fourth grade – compared to 58 percent of white boys reading below proficiency levels. Additionally, the disproportionate number of black and Hispanic young men who are unemployed or involved in the criminal justice system alone is a perilous drag on state budgets, and undermines family and community stability. These young men are more than six times as likely to be victims of murder than their white peers and account for almost half of the country’s murder victims each year.

The effort launched today is focused on unlocking the full potential of boys and young men of color – something that will not only benefit them, but all Americans. The Task Force and new private sector partnership will take a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to building ladders of opportunity. Both the Task Force and the partnership will take action immediately while planning for long-term success.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I predict this will fail just like the war on poverty and all other previous efforts. I will say Obama is the right man to target this. We all know poor people who live in the ghetto generate a ton of various problems and it has to do with parenting and education. Bush would have looked like a fool tackling this, Clinton not as much but still kind of foolish, Bush Sr. would have looked even sillier than his son.

 

[ivwshane]

It's nice to have a president who cares about America.

Maybe people would be happy if he started one of those great American programs like the war on terror, the war on drugs, the war on poverty, like other presidents have done before him.