This idea that the election of Barack Obama automatically strips all black people of any and all excuses they may have for the plight of black people in our country is more than a little bit offensive. Obama is a positive role model for black people. He’s also a positive role model for all children of single mothers, for children and parents of mixed race, and for every one that wasn’t born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
But that’s all he is…a positive role model. His mere existence doesn’t wash away systemic racism and poverty and broken schools. Pundits really ought to know better.