The Slippery Soul of Barack Obama

By Deric Muhammad -Guest Columnist- | Last updated: May 31, 2012 - 3:17:30 PM

Photo: White House Photo/ Pete Souza

I had the honor of being in New York to see our President, Barack Obama, speak at Columbia University. As usual, his thoughtful brilliance was on display as he advised America’s next generation to: 1.) Always Fight for your seat at the table, 2.) Never underestimate the power of your own example and 3.) Perservere, no matter what obstacles stand in your way. While this was unmistakably great advice, I could not help but wonder how much our President could benefit from his own counsel.

Let’s be frank. The only thing of substance the Black community has gotten out of having a Black president is ... well, having a Black president. While the image of a Black man with supreme intelligence rising to become the leader of the free world has done wonders to shatter the “plexi-glass ceiling” placed over so many Black men, the truth is if Obama is not careful he will end up as one of the biggest disappointments in the history of our sojourn in America.

Think it can’t happen? Do you remember when Rev. Jesse Jackson represented the legitimate hope of freedom for Black people. Now, unfortunately, he is the butt of all jokes revolutionary; a cartoon caricature of what he once represented. While Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, he was the darling of Blacks in South Africa. Not long after his release they were stabbing his picture in the streets. What I’m saying is just as Barack Obama has been touted as the manifestation of King’s Dream, if he isn’t careful he will go down in history as Black America’s worst nightmare. I’ll say it if no one else will. The sentiment of betrayal is beginning to set in among Black people regarding Obama.

Lately he’s been on his “rainbow soap box,” personally endorsing gay marriage. While it was a smart, strategic move politically, he lost me and others who crammed to understand how he would back that up Biblically. Even more disturbing is the news that flocks of Black preachers have expressed support for Obama’s position. The truth is that the gay lobby is one of the most powerful, heavily feared in politics. Politics is ruled by money and votes. The Gay and Lesbian community has both. I’m not homophobic. I just can’t endorse what God forbids with a good conscience. And the fact that Obama can is a testament of how far he’s come and how “gone” he is.

How “gone” he is was evident in his countenance, as I watched him speak. When we fell in love with him, as a crack Senator-turned presidential candidate, he looked five years younger. Three years into his presidency he looks about 15 years older. He really is beginning to look like Morgan Freeman. Ques: Why is it that Clinton or Bush did not age as quickly or as horribly in their recent stints under the same Presidential pressures? As I studied his face he spoke of victory, yet he himself looked vanquished. I believe that he looks the way he looks because his seat in the White House is forcing him to sell his soul mustard seed by mustard seed.

Obama’s first piece of advice “FIGHT FOR YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE,” was harrowing considering Black people and their specific interests don’t have a seat at the table with the first Black president. I get tired of hearing people say, “Well he’s everybody’s president, not just Black folks’.” Shut up! My problem is that he is endorsing everyone else’s issues, except ours. Every other minority benefited from the Civil Rights Struggle, but Black people and everyone else is benefiting from the first Black president’s seating ... but Black people. We fought for Barack Obama’s seat at the table and now we can’t get a seat at the table with him.

Obama’s second piece of advice was “NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF YOUR OWN EXAMPLE.” His example of educated, polished brilliance is one of the best to come from the ranks of Black America. He has unquestionable influence. But, what kind of example are you setting for our sons by giving a green light to gay marriage? Is your political gain worth the spiritual loss that we’ll take if we listen to your example.

Obama’s last piece of advice “PERSEVERE, NO MATTER WHAT OBSTACLES STAND IN YOUR WAY.” The man that we put our faith, hope and trust in is not the same Obama that we see today. He has been steered in a totally different direction. American politics can be one big suction cup disappearing the souls of men and I’m afraid that our brother is being sucked dry. He’s even beginning to look like it. It’s okay to perservere politically, but you must also perservere morally, spiritually and mentally. For what does it profit a man if he gain the whole world, but lose his soul.

I have the right to talk this way. First of all, it is my constitutional right and secondly, I voted for Obama and encouraged thousands to do the same. I am not discouraging anyone against voting for him in the upcoming election. Let’s be real. What other options do we have? Something tells me that Romney doesn’t like us.

But, if I could play a game of dominoes with the president, I would purposely deal him “all doubles” and ask him how it felt. Then I would tell him “welcome to being Black in America,” something that I don’t know if he identifies with anymore. I write this op-ed in hopes that Obama will prove me wrong. There’s still time and as long as there is time there is hope. My friends in politics probably won’t like the fact that I’ve written this about our president. Aside from the fact that I do not give a d***, if I keep silent for fear of losing political favor, then I may as well take my soul to the flea market, as well. Come on, Obama. What good is it for you to save America but in the process lose your own soul? Fight for your soul, brother. Fight for your soul.

(Deric Muhammad is a Houston-based activist in the Ministry of Justice. Visit his website at www.dericmuhammad.com.)

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