MichaelFauntroy.com

Fauntroy Quoted in U.S. News and World Report on Obama and Race Relations

I’m quoted in this U.S. News and World Report article on President Obama and race relations.  It’s an interesting article and I hope it gets people thinking about an issue that I fear is being captured by conservative spinmeisters who want to argue that Obama’s election proves that racism and racial discrimination is no longer an issue.  Here’s the lead:  "For all the symbolism of Obama's position in the White House, he has not yet used his bully pulpit to take on the issue of race."

Coverage of Michael Fauntroy's Speech at the University of Arkansas

Here is a clip of a KSFM-5 news report covering my speech at the University of Arkansas.

Many thanks to political science professor Dr. Pearl Ford, the African American studies program, and the Xi Foundation of Kappa Sigma Fraternity for putting together the event. Many thanks to those who turned out for the speech. We had a great turnout, great audience questions, and an all-around great time.

Obama and Cuba: A Good First Start

President Obama announced yesterday a change in strategy regarding the U.S. embargo with Cuba. As the Washington Post noted Obama lifted the Bush Administration restrictions that limited Cuban American travel to the island to once every three years.  The new policy also removes the limits on the amount of money and goods Cuban Americans can send back to their families.  Also notable is the allowance of American high-tech companies to do business in Cuba.

The President’s plan is a good -- though overdue and underwhelming -- first step.  The unilateral economic and cultural disarmament that is the  U.S. embargo policy is a joke and should be reversed – in its entirety – forthwith.  Let’s remember the embargo was established to limit the potential impact of communism on the U.S.  Does anyone still believe that communism is something we should fear taking root in America?  Cuba is not threat to the U.S.

We are alone on a policy island than has shown no signs of success. They say insanity is continuing to do the same thing while expecting a different result.  Clearly, the Cuba embargo policy fits that definition.  I can’t imagine any other U.S. public policy that has been allowed to continue with NO tangible change as intended. 

Cuban communism will fall of its own weight once their people see the impact of U.S. economic interaction with the island nation.  It may not happen soon, but it will happen faster than if the status quo continued.  The Castro regime may well prove to be a paper tiger and ending the embargo will get us closer to an answer.  I am among those who believe that the U.S. embargo has delayed the inevitable in Cuba.  Those arguing against this change – and defending a failed status quo – are locked into a failed ideological view of U.S.-Cuba relations and will be proven wrong.  In some ways, it’s not their fault.  Many were born into a fiercely divided community on this issue and went with the prevailing sentiment.  The results of the 2008 Florida general election revealed a generational divide that helps to make this policy all the more sensible.

I’m happy to see this first, albeit limited, step. Change is coming to Cuba.

Twitter Mike Fauntroy!

So, I finally did it.  After a million people saying, "I got your message about being on (Hardball/Hannity and Colmes/NewsHour/Early Show) after the show aired -- you should Twitter" I invite you to check me out here and sign up for Twitters about when I'm on the air.  I promise, I won't be one of these people who lets the world know that I'm going to the bathroom or something like that.  Important stuff only.

Michael Fauntroy at U. of Arkansas on President Obama's First 100 Days

I'm happy to let you know that I'll give a lecture on President Obama's first 100 days on Thursday, April 16 in Giffels Auditorium, Old Main on the Fayetteville campus of the University of Arkansas.  My friend Pearl Ford, a political science professor at UA first extended the invitation.  The African American Studies Program and the Xi Foundation of Kappa Sigma are sponsoring the event.

The lecture is free and open to the public.