President Obama, choose the path of a more perfect union

April 11, 1:32 PMDC Progressive ExaminerAisha Brown

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"...working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds...if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union."
Presidential Candidate Barack Obama March 2008

How quickly we forget Mr. President. 

Throughout the historic campaign, President Obama's speeches were imbued with messages of progress and change; his promises of a more perfect union evoking the spirit of fallen civil rights leaders and iconic presidents that united our nation during its toughest times.  However, during his first 100 days in office, we find these messages of unity and hope juxtaposed with the President's decision to boycott the Durban Review Conference, the successor to the 2001 World Conference Against Racism. 

The initial conference, held in Durban, South Africa, was the first of its kind in which leaders from around the world gathered to stand united against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and other intolerance.  On September 3, 2001, the conference grabbed international headlines after the United States abruptly withdrew from the conference.  It was the Bush administrations refusal to address the United States’ “old racial wounds” of slavery, its support of Israeli occupation, and its reluctance to allot reparations for African descendants, which led Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to openly denounce the language the accords as "hateful."

Tragically, the attacks on September 11, 2001, just 8 days later, signaled the inception of a new wave of racial scars:  the vilification of Muslim Americans post 9-11, destitute African-American victims of Hurricane Katrina and the wave of xenophobia targeted towards undocumented Latin Americans.  These bruises still fresh from the Bush presidency makes the new president’s decision to continue the U.S. boycott in the international dialogue on racism, even more surprising and poignant.

With only a week until the April 20-24, 2009, Durban Review Conference the Obama administration has yet to reverse its decision despite requests from leaders of the G-20, the European Union, and the African Diaspora.  A choice that will decidedly negate the recent strides made in U.S. foreign diplomacy.

During his first European tour; the president spoke candidly about the United States’ past arrogance humbled himself at the world’s stage.  However, if Mr. Obama is expected to repair America’s tarnished reputation, he must acknowledge and act upon his campaign promises.  He must be a president of both style and substance. 

Although the 2008 election represents an unprecedented civil rights victory for this nation; President Obama's mere presence at the highest level of State is not enough to absolve centuries of racism and oppression.  We need our president to actively pursue “the path of a more perfect union” at home and abroad.

To Urge President Obama to Send an Official U.S. Delegation to the Durban Review Conference Please Contact the White House Comment Line at 202-456-1111.