.
November 3rd, 2009
01:33 PM ET

Black men in the age of President Obama

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/10/30/art.obama1030-1.gi.jpg]

Spike Lee
For Essence.com

Barack Obama's intelligence and knowledge is vast. He's understanding, he's generous. These are all things that not just Black men, but any human being can benefit from. But when he was elected, I think a lot of people, not just Black folks, felt life with an African-American president was going to be presto chango! I'm not taking about the economy, but racism. Many felt we were entering a post-racial climate, which I think is the biggest crock ever. As a people, we have to understand Barack has to be President for the United States of America. It's unprecedented what he's doing. He's on uncharted waters. He needs our support, he needs our prayers, he needs our help in moving forward.

Barack has a definite influence on young boys. I see it with my own eyes with my 12-year-old son Jackson. If we're at a dinner and someone says something critical of Barack, he stands up at the table and defends him. Jackson's not having it! He'll say, What do you want him to do? He's doing his job! Leave him alone. He's proud of his president. We can't even estimate now the influence Barack will have on young Black boys, or the influence of Sasha and Malia. They're going to have a great effect on young Black girls too.

Keep Reading...

soundoff (6 Responses)
  1. Sophia

    The biggest problem for politicans in today's world is the naivety of the general public. The Presidential term for Barak was never going to be a walk in the park. Two terms of George Bush really brought America to hell and Barak now has to pull them out of it. As a international citizen I can safely say that at least barak has restored faith in America.

    November 4, 2009 at 4:25 am |
  2. Cathy

    Why are people believing the things orchestrated by the conservatives. A past republican president took 8 years to create the mess that Obama is cleaning up. It is going to take far more than a year for the mess created in 8 years to be cleaned up!

    November 3, 2009 at 12:45 pm |
  3. SG

    How come the right wasn't complaining when Bush/Cheney were "handing out tax payer money" to their high level CEO group of friends? How come the right has such a hard time looking out for their fellow Americans? Corruption? How about "weapons of mass desctruction"? The right seriously need to look in the mirror before they comment on things they know nothing about.

    November 3, 2009 at 12:43 pm |
  4. Dan Fulmer

    People are only truly complaining because the man is African American. George Bush is the one who got us in this situation, blame him! I am a white Democrat and I support Barack 110%!! He is our president whether you all like it or not!

    November 3, 2009 at 12:30 pm |
  5. Tim Gibson

    Influence, power, corruption. Not a strong role model on a leadership level.

    November 3, 2009 at 11:59 am |
  6. SLM

    Yeah he's generous................with OUR money, not his. Being generous is not a good trait for a president, handing out tax payer money for entitlement programs like candy on Halloween.

    November 3, 2009 at 11:41 am |