What Obama Can't Change: The Lives of Blacks - WSJ.com

What Obama Can't Change: The Lives of Blacks - WSJ.com

This article discusses whether the election of Barak Obama as President will increase black upward mobility. The authors conclusion is no. He cites recent history (the Irish for example) and the fact that Obama opposes education vouchers and school choice. I think the author is correct. Perhaps what I write now is unrelated but it might make a point. Last night a went to the opening practice night for the UNLV Runnin' Rebel basketball team. As is my custom I sat with Ronnie Smith, a 40+ year old black man with an 8th grade education and a no future job. With Ronnie was his wife, three of his children, and a child born with a drug dependency. This wasn't a foster care situation---Ronnie and his wife are raising this child out of the goodness of their hearts. Ronnie and his wife are active in their church, do their best to keep their kids interested in education, and does his damnest to be a good citizen, a good father, honest and industrious. Ronnie and I have sat together at UNLV basketball games (both men and women) and UNLV football games for over six years. We met by chance because we were seated together at a basketball game. We had fun and have been enjoying each others company ever since. I have never heard Ronnie complain about his plight in life. He's one of those people you meet and just can't help but like. We'll be seated together at the UNLV vs. Air Force football game tonight. Ronnie is a role model. There are a lot of Ronnies out in society--hard working and quiet. We need, as a nation, to somehow figure out a way to insure these black boys and girls get a good education, are inspired to excellence. Otherwise our nation is overlooking some of our greatest assets. Jim