As a Black man and a pastor, I am deeply concerned about both the future and safety of former President Barack Obama. He has seemingly outlived his usefulness to the white power structure that mentored and elevated him to become the first Black president in U.S. history.
My concerns stem not only from what I have observed but also from early warning signs that many dismissed at the time. For instance, in 2009, I was both appalled and troubled when two intruders, posing as party guests, managed to walk into the White House unchallenged. They strolled right up to the newly elected President Obama with no credentials.
The message behind this breach was unmistakable—even if the intruders were unaware of it, “we (white folks) got you here. Don’t forget it. Do what we say, or else.” My alarm wasn’t rooted in having voted for him—I didn’t—nor in any belief that the power structure viewed him differently from any other Black person, they do not. My concern was for his wife and two young, beautiful daughters, who needed their father far more than this nation needed a historical presidency.
To be clear, I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I find no biblical evidence that Jesus Christ aligned Himself with any political faction during His earthly ministry. In fact, He demonstrated love for His enemies, ministering to and healing the servants of the Roman occupiers.
Addtionally, just because the Civil Rights Movement gave us the right to vote doesn’t mean a true Christian should feel compelled to do so. Where is the biblical command to align ourselves with the "lessor of two evils?" Whether Democrat or Republican, both parties are steeped in wickedness. A party “patting us on the head” to feign care is no better than one that shows no interest at all.
Since leaving office in 2016, Barack Obama remains the undisputed face of the Democratic Party but my guess is that is quickly coming to an end. His leadership—or lack thereof—has presided over three monumental disasters for his party beginning with Donald Trump’s victory in 2016.
At the heart of the 2016 disaster was his anointing of Hillary Clinton as his successor. She was widely viewed as a corrupt, unlikeable, and her loss to Trump in the 2016 election sent shockwaves through the global political order.
Second, his endorsement of Joe Biden in 2020 led to an administration plagued by cognitive decline, policy missteps, and broken promises. Inflation, unchecked illegal immigration, and the politically charged prosecution of Donald Trump alienated many, including core Democratic constituencies like Black male voters.
Third, while it’s unclear whether Kamala Harris was directly Obama’s choice as Biden’s successor, her ascension further fractured the party’s credibility. His inability to rein in Biden’s disastrous presidency or Harris’s ineffective leadership paved the way for Donald Trump’s return in 2024. These failures, as well as others, have compounded the perception that Obama’s leadership is over despite his personal success as president.
As someone who has served in corporate leadership, I know this harsh reality: whites can fail and still be viewed as competent while Blacks are rarely afforded the same grace. How can two losers like former presidential candidates Al Gore and Hillary Clinton become worth hundreds of millions of dollars were this not true? What black politician has failed their way to nine figure wealth?
The scrutiny of Kamala Harris has already begun, with many questioning how a presidential campaign costing over $1 billion could fail so spectacularly. If there has been a more prominent minority figure in politics with such a high-profile failure, I am unaware of it.
Given this, I am confident in predicting that she is unlikely to achieve the same level of post-campaign wealth as her failed, white counterparts. Why Democrats couldn't put a more formidable and serious minority woman forward in 2024, such as Michelle Obama, is still a mystery.
The final blow to Obama’s standing came with his lecturing of Black men about their lack of support for Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential bid. His remarks showed a disconnect from younger Black men, who are more likely to educate themselves about candidates before voting than previous generations.
For the record, sexism was not the reason a sizable portion of black folk didn't vote for Harris. As a candidate, she is a complete idiot and this view was prevelant among many black women I know as well. Although Hillary is unlikeable and seemingly corrupt, no one will ever accuse her of being an idiot!
Kamala’s record with poor Black people has been abysmal, and it has little to do with her marriage to a white man. Additionally, her political career has often come across as hollow and ineffective, making her a poor choice for the presidency.
Furthermore, the presidency should never adopt the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as its primary qualification.
While I have been married to a Black woman for over 25 years and understand their struggles, my criticism of Kamala Harris is not careless or uninformed. Her disastrous campaign, alongside Hillary Clinton’s 2016 failure, has set women’s suffrage back decades.
Both were awful choices as major-party candidates, and Obama’s leadership directly led to both decisions. His 16 year tenure as the leader of the Democratic Party has been marked by missteps that ultimately handed power back to Donald Trump.
While his personal presidency may have been successful, his post-presidency influence has been disastrous. His inability to control the party’s direction or maintain credibility with key constituencies, particularly Black men, has left him appearing incomptent, weak, and feckless.
Obama’s air of invincibility within his party has shattered. Those who have "kissed the ring" for almost two decades smell blood in the water and some of his once staunchest supporters (black men) no longer see him as a conquering hero.
Barack has fallen from favor, and it is well-earned. His political "friends" will continue to smile and act as if he is still important to their cause, but the truth is just the opposite.
Now, the stench of failure is with him and worse, he is a black failure and their largest affirmative action gamble which is no longer viable. Until this election cycle, he could reliably go into the black community, say what no white politician dared, and keep us "in line" at the polls. Now, however, that is no longer true so what good is he?
Behind the causual dinner smiles, and polite society small talk is one over-riding thought; "we've done so much for him, how could he have done this to US."
Welcome back to our reality Barack!