Obama at NAACP 100th Convention

Obama was at the 100th year convention of the NAACP last week and spoke a lot of truth. I could go on and on about the impact of Barack's presidency, but I will keep it brief. Black children need good role models to look up to and aspire to. It is too often that the only black people seen on television are athletes, rappers, and sit-com characters who are often reduced into performers who confirm negative black stereotypes. With this being the reality, black children often have few positive role models to aspire to and craft their lives around. Given the opportunity to learn from powerful black men and women, black children would have a better chance in succeeding and passing on their success to their own children. Of course there is a plethora of other factors that influence the trajectory of black youth, but aspirations, hopes, and dreams of being doctors, lawyers, professors, and chief executive officers are a healthy start. That is one of the reasons why I try to highlight positive aspects of hip-hop culture rather than feature those who exemplify the negative aspects of it. Obama symbolizes a step in the right direction for black youth, as well as all youth of color that success at the highest level is entirely possible and cool.