TBTNEWS COMMENTARY

Willie Wilson For President

Special Correspondent: C. Dubb

Yesterday I attended the historic announcement of Dr. Willie Wilson's decision to run for president of the United States. It was covered by global media, but what surprised me most was not seeing all of Chicago's black media outlets or political editors. I even called around to a few media entities asking where are their people? Why are they not here covering this monumental introduction into an already crowded field of potential Republican and Democratic contenders?

I also was shocked... but not surprised to see none of the elite black business, spiritual or community leaders who recently lined up behind Mayor candidate Rahm Emanuel or Governor Bruce Rauner when they ran for either reelection or election. This is one of the reasons why black Chicago continues to find themselves in the condition that (we) are in. The fact that not one elected official was on hand was really embarrassing... for them. For no alderman, state senator, representative or congressman to not show support for one of their own (Chicagoan) launching a campaign for the highest office of the land is awful. They should be ashamed.

Rather you agree or disagree with Wilson's decision to run, you should at least respect his premise and ambition to address issues pressing the black global community. At least acknowledge your support for his courage and determination to at least get in the game. You can't win the game, if you're not in the game.

This recent announcement is just as symbolic as when now President Barack Obama ran. President Obama was a Harvard graduate, skilled and trained for that moment by some of the best and brightest minds in politics. Obama was expected to compete against the nation's best, but clearly he was not predicted to win. His presidency is special not only because he won (twice), but because of his image around the world. Little black kids, as well as others have had an opportunity to see this massive snapshot of a black man leading the free world. This image is also historic and unforgivable.

Here is what Dr. Wilson stated as he addressed the media: "I'm here today to announce that I am running for president of the greatest country in the world." While surrounded by supporters, Wilson, who said he wants to be the "people's candidate" during Monday's press conference. “This has not been an easy decision for me. But I know that it is the right decision.”

I think it's also the right decision. In this free country, even though some Negroes have not realized mental freedom. Dr. Wilson knows that anyone who works hard, commit and believe in themselves can succeed. Regardless the challenges, the idea that anything is possible, or at least the attempt to make almost anything possible is what America is all about. And he's not asking anyone for money. He's only asking for your support, but mainly your blessings.

Here is what makes this real to me. If you feel that black folks in this country are still relegated to forced segregation, bigotry and racial prejudice. Then you should see Dr. Wilson's desire to let the world know that regardless of the beat down black folks have faced for centuries, he's proof positive that a little black boy from the south with little to no education; and with a serious, but not deterrent speech defeat, that black people can still dream and rise. (See Oprah, Dr. Ben Carson, Tyler Perry, Tom Joiner, Denzel Washington, Jay Z, Little Wayne, Kanye West and so many more).

I see his strategy very clearly: Pundits and potential presidential candidates always talk about the Christian Right or Evangelicals being crucial to any presidential bid. Dr. Wilson is going straight Baptist baby. He want the many, many old school, deep south, back wood Baptists who still believes that they're being excluded from mainstream America, to stand up and show up for one their own.

It's gonna be an interesting narrative. I can't wait to watch Willie go head to head against the likes of Hillary Clinton, the leading Democratic forerunner. Her husband (Bill Clinton) the former president, is solely responsible for many of the policies that have shut blacks out and have locked blacks up.

I want the elitist Negroes who are clearly siding with Hillary to ignore or excuse those facts. Willie Wilson plans to bring Bill's record of creating this illusion that he loves black people front and center during any debates against Hillary. This you can be for sure of...