The president seems sincere in attempting to bridge the gap. Yet, kind words, photo opportunities and even top Cabinet appointments are not likely to have much effect. The wall between the Republican Party and the African-American community seems insurmountable. Black leaders blame efforts to reform welfare and curb affirmative action. However, welfare programs have become a trap, turning many families into long-term government dependents.
Encouraging work is neither discriminatory nor punitive.
To the contrary, employment promotes the dignity and independence of blacks and whites alike. Few people object to affirmative action, when that means looking for qualified minorities and evaluating their qualifications in light of the barriers they faced. But, in practice, affirmative action has often turned into a racial spoils system, with college acceptances and scholarships, government contracts and jobs, and even private employment distributed based on skin color. At the same time, by ostentatiously discriminating against whites, racial preferences have inflamed racist sentiments and cast doubt upon the accomplishments of every African-American. What poor blacks most need is opportunity.