Voice of Liberia

The Dangerous state of the American Presidency
Could Barack Obama’s life be in danger?

Tamba D. Aghailas | April 3, 2009

The United States 44^th President, Barack Hussein Obama’s ascension to the highest office of the land is “a dream come true” for many of us who champion equality, both political and economic.  Obama’s win has been welcomed by joyous acclamation by his supporters, both at home and by fans abroad, yet sinister critics and opponents have been engaged in dangerous attempts to bring that dream to an abrupt bloody end, if they were to find a way. Racism and hate are the two prime contributors to this dangerous state of the American Presidency.

There have been several attempts, overt and covert, on the life of Mr. Obama, both during the heated presidential campaign season and after his election as President of the United States. The severity of the hate of these perpetrators can be traced as far back as the days of slavery, the civil wars, and during the civil rights movement - periods of injustice against minorities, including blacks. Racist groups calling themselves “white supremacists” have been the main instigators of such hate.  

Racism has been a part America’s historical foundation traceable within its constitution. The United States 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery, the 14th secured the constitutional rights of former slaves and the 15th gave black people the right to vote. These historic acts helped shape political participation of Black America, yet many have been able to enjoy these rights only to a certain extent. America’s political and business environments have been dominated by white male Caucasians ever since the nation’s founding. As a result, certain intransigent factions have maintained a continuation of that dominance and control over the affairs of the state, resisting any attempts to a fair participation in both national and local affairs. Political and economic equality has been elusive to many in the land of opportunity.

People of color have been subject to various forms of suppression in America, despite the constitution’s premise that guarantees equality to all. The election of Barack Obama, the first black person, as President of the United States of America has shaken the dynamics of America we once knew.

In the opening of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, it states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” yet  safety may be eluding America’s first Black President.

A plot was uncovered during the Democratic Party’s Convention in Denver to assassinate Mr. Obama at his acceptance speech. The Telegraph reported that “One of the group members admitted to a plan to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a rifle sighted at 750 yards." The suspect was a 28 year old white male Caucasian named, Tharin Gartrell.

According to a MSNBC article, “two men were arrested and charged in Tennessee with illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun and conspiracy to rob a federally licensed gun dealer.” The men had planned to kill then President-elect, Barack Obama and carry out a killing spree of other prominent blacks across the nation. The arrested men were Daniel Cowart, 20, and Paul Schlesselman, 18, both white male Caucasians.

Many are shocked with the number of threats and the level of intensity of racist attacks against President Obama by individuals and racist groups seeking the president’s untimely demise. I, however, do not believe that such attacks have been coordinated since suspects have mostly been arrested in the planning phase.  And despite the fact that most suspects are white, it does not imply that every white person supports these despicable acts of cowardice.

Recently, a racist slur directed at the president took an old face in a prominent New York daily. In a New York Post  cartoon of February 18th, 2009, two male Caucasian police officers are depicted gunning down a chimpanzee, while one of the officers uttered the phrase, “They will have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill,” a direct reference to President Obama’s recent stimulus bill. Evidently, Obama is black and black has been compared to apes and chimps. One could clearly deduce from the cartoon a sinister message from the author, “gun down Obama, the black ape.”

President Obama may be reluctant to personally respond to these attacks and attempts on his life over the past year, for as President of the United States of America, he preaches hope over fear, unity instead of division. Notwithstanding, his personal safety is primordial to his political survival as well as his national success.

If Mr. Obama is to bring about the sweeping changes he promised the American people and leave a lasting legacy of his administration, his safety and that of his family should not be put on a backburner.

Increased security around the President’s surrounding, both during his frequent road trips and travel abroad will be required. Secret service agents, including snipers need to be re-vetted thoroughly in order to locate and remove any mole within the service. Average citizens should become “their brother’s keeper” by reporting any suspicious activity. This way, protecting our president becomes a concern for every peace loving American.

Recent studies have shown that the rise in racist attacks may be a direct correlation between economic hardship, on the one hand, and immigration, on the other. Mr. Obama’s administration will need to target certain communities that have been hit hardest by the economic slowdown in an effort to fast track assistance in creating jobs and restoring confidence in these local communities across America.

America can not afford to squander this once in a lifetime opportunity of mending our racial divide.  Mr. Obama’s message of hope rests in every American. It must not be extinguished, for we are all in this together. God bless America!