Barack Obama is the First African-American President of the United States. Concurrently, historians should note that he has been the Most Unprotected President in US history.

Liberals viewed his Presidency as a sign of progress; a major turning point in the history US race relations. They seemed to believe and act as though having a Black President erased generations of injustice and brutality. But reality undermined their comfortable scenario.

The African American saying, immortalized by the late Malcolm X more accurately captured/reflected the spirit of the time. That is, “The chickens always come home to roost.” (Translation: No matter how hard you try to bury the truth, it will come forward).

The well publicized breaches of Secret Service protection which the President and First Family have endured reveal that race trumps all. The black man, who is President of the United States, is as vulnerable and receives the same low level of protection and respect which is afforded to any and all black men residing in the US.

On the evening of November 11, 2011, while the Obama’s youngest daughter and the First Lady’s mother were at home, an alarm was sounded in response to the sounds of gunfire. The Secret Service searched the White House grounds but managed to find nothing. The incident was attributed to a car backfire.

The following day, the White House housekeeper discovered the bullets and shattered glass. Thank God for the housekeeper!

I was so proud and optimistic in 2008 when Barack Obama announced he was running for President of the United States. At the same time, I was fearful for his life. I prayed as hard for his safety during campaign as I did for his victory. Lots of us did. And we continue to pray for his safety because quiet as its kept.

For all the protection the Secret Service can offer, he might as well go to Ferguson!

 

Janet Cormier is a painter, writes prose and poetry, and performs comedy. JC prefers different and original over pretty. She loves collecting stuff, but cleaning not so much. Janet also talks to strangers… a lot. Her column appears weekly in Oddball Magazine.