Organizing for America | The Opportunity To Contribute

The Opportunity To Contribute

An open letter to the new President-Elect

An Open Letter To The New President-Elect

By Rhonda from Bronx, NY - Nov 8th, 2008 at 6:30 am EST

Dear President-Elect Obama and Michelle:
Congratulations on your victory. The two of you are to be admired for the vision you shared and the life lived and choices made that saw you through.
I have a request that I am sure you knew was coming; one amongst millions and it is as follows:
I don't believe hard-working low-income African Americans are counted amongst the middle class. Please when you are hammering out a deal to put to work the suffering middle class, think about those that have been generationally, educationally, and medically overlooked hardworking African Americans.
Please do not think for one moment that you are giving a handout to people that have asked for little and received even less. People that are grateful and accepting of crumbs and too afraid to ask for more; people that believe in you and are not expecting more than the promises made during the campaign; a people that are finally tired of being overlooked or looked at with contempt.
The world should stop judging all African Americans based on the exceptions and not the rule. Just like all other races and cultures, not all African Americans are looking for a handout; African Americans are looking for equal opportunity and would like to show that they are contributing members to this society.
When the deals are struck and the financing is in place for employment please require slots for African Americans within the construction industry without restrictions or requirements designed to keep them out, such as union membership when unions don't allow you membership until you have found employment. The construction and manufacturing industries is where there are going to have be this condition implemented because it is now almost 100% Caucasian. In this new world order we want to be partners, unfortunately, not many want to partner with us.
Allow African Americans to once again show their willingness toparticipate by giving them access and a fair opportunity to share in the bounties of the land through merit. Don't give an open ticket to the manufacturing and construction industry that simply employ their own. African Americans can no longer rely on those in charge to be fair in their hiring practices. African Americans have earned the right to work just as hard as all of the other races and cultures. Give them the chance to prove their willingness to be counted. They have always wanted to be counted by people that validate their contributions.
No handouts, an equal hand up where dignity and self-respect reside.
God bless you and keep you safe.
Ann E.

cc: Vice-President-Elect Joseph Biden

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