Why is Obama praising Reagan?by Tony Warner
http://peoplewithvoices.com/2011/07/05/why-is-obama-praising-reagan/Obama is a black democrat, Reagan was a white republican so why is Obama praising his legacy and endorsing a statue in Grosvenor square? What is Reagan's history with regard to black people in America and around the world?
He opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights act of 1970, stating that the Civil Rights Act was 'humilitating to the South.' As governor of California from 1967 to 1975 he persecuted the Black Panther Party going so far as to change the law to stop them from carrying guns.
Bearing arms in public was legal at the time and armed Black Panthers would follow and observe police patrols. This prevented racist police harassment and shootings and brought instant respect and members to the Panthers.
When white militia groups walked about with guns in sight there had been no complaints. In 1967 Reagan signed into law the Mulford Act banning the publci display of weapons, which had the effect of disempowering the Panthers and weakening the black community.
Reagan stated that black political activist Angela Davis was a terrorist, sacked her from her teaching post at UCLA then vowed she would never work in his state again. Reagan was President from 1981 to 1989 - what was his attitude to black people during that period?
He was strongly opposed to affirmative action policy. He fired U.S. Commission on Civil Rights members who were critical of his Civil Rights policies. On Civil Rights leaders he is quoted as saying:
"Sometimes I wonder if they really mean what they sau, because some of those leaders are doing very well leading organizations based on keeping alive the feeling that they're victims of prejudice."
He opposed the move to a national holiday in honour of Martin Luther King and only signed it in 1983 after an overwhelming veto proof vote (338 to 90 in the House of Representatives and 78 to 22 in the Senate). When he did sign the holiday into existence in full view of the world media, he was asked whether Martin Luther King a communist. He replied 'Well we'll know in 30 years wont we?' and flung down his pen.
In 1983 he decided to invade the tiny Caribbean country of Grenada stating that it "was a threat to the National Security of the United States." He was against the Civil Rights Restoration act of 1988 and the US Congress had to overturn his Presidential veto to make it happen.
He was well known for the Just Say No campaign and his funding of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency). At the same time as being concerned about young America's exposure to drugs.
Reagan authorised the Iran Contra deal, which, apart from illegally supplying arms to Iran, saw drugs from Central America being imported to black areas of Los Angeles. This led to the crack epidemic which brought death, destruction, misery and imprisonment to hundreds of thousnads of African Americans. ...
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