By Moses Asare, AFRICAN LEADER

Bronx, New York - It’s the billion dollar question in 2012. Four more years for President Barack Obama? Four more years? Not so fast. In fact, think again. That’s the word on the street. At least according to some key African communities in the U.S. It appears some African siblings are not very happy with brother Obama. And there is a lot of grumbling out here in the African neighborhoods. Many believe 2012 is a make or break year for the African communities and the time has come for the President to deliver or he may well lose the electoral and moral backing of some key U.S African communities. There are a number of reasons why African brothers are not happy bunnies when it comes to the President’s performance.

Higher Unemployment

First, jobs have dried up for much of the African communities. The Great Recession has hit them harder than other communities. It appears African-born US citizens are the first in line to be laid off when companies downsize. For example, according to the latest available unemployment report released by the New York State Department of Labor, unemployment is highest in the Bronx - at 12.6 percent, more than any other county in New York State. This is way above the national average of 8.5 percent. It must be noted that the Bronx has probably the highest concentration of African immigrants in the entire United States. Across much of the major African communities in the Washington DC-Maryland-Virginia area, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Boston and Philadelphia, the picture remains just about the same. It appears significant numbers of African-born US citizens have given up on their American dreams and returned to the motherland. Entire families have packed bag and baggage and relocated back to Africa. In a sad turn of events, some of which even happened a few weeks ago in the Bronx, husbands unable to stand the heat have abandoned their families and returned to Africa – a big cause of family break ups.

Many do appreciate the President’s persistent efforts at injecting higher growth into the U.S economy. Many Africans also understand that much of today’s economic problems were carried over from the 8-year presidency of former President George Bush, who incidentally did his best and was also seen as a good friend of Africa. Still, many believe President Obama has not fought harder enough for average Americans, including African-born US citizens. In any case, they see no other leader when they turn on their TVs, and the President better take responsibility for that.

Mass Deportations

On immigration, Africans are disappointed with President Obama more than ever. It is a common knowledge that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, popularly known as ICE has turned up the heat on illegal immigrants and some Africans have been caught up in the ICE net. Many were arrested on their way to work or at immigration interviews. Many left home only to be snatched and deported without saying good bye to their wives and children, usually arriving back in Africa with nothing. According to a recent report by the Washington Post, under the Obama presidency, deportations have increased dramatically.

About 400, 000 people may have been deported in 2010, nearly 10 percent above the Bush administration’s 2008 total and 25 percent more than were deported in 2007. The dramatic increase in ICE deportations have taken a toll on many African families. Many remember that then candidate Obama promised to seriously consider amnesty or immigration reforms. Instead, what they are getting is more of ICE knocking on their doors. Serious immigration reform bills which were sent to the house, including the Dream Act supported by President Bush and Senator John McCain were swiftly voted down by conservative anti-immigration hardliners. Africans are mad as hell.

Africa Issues

On the quiet side, many people in the African communities are simply unhappy with the President’s handling of the Libyan war. They maintain that candidate Obama had promised to stop wars and turn away from what appeared to be the hawkish posture of the Bush administration. Instead, it appears the President is picking new fights. Many African-born US citizens are simply not happy with the way Libyans in general and Khadafy in particular was treated. It’s like an African brother against another African brother. While many are not directly blaming the U.S or President Obama for the recent Libyan war, many feel the U.S, as the leader of the free world, could have leveraged its influence on her allies.

Many Africans are also concerned about the continued deteriorating human rights situation in some African countries ruled by dictators. Some are also worried about the slow pace of debt cancellation and the injection of new loans unto the continent, something that President Bush was clearly passionate about. Again, others are even disappointed that there are not many prominent African-born US citizens in the Obama administration.

Whatever it may be, Africans are simply not satisfied with the President, and like the proverbial Oliver Twist, are asking for more. Africans in the U.S have great expectations of the president . With Republican challengers Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich gunning for his job, the President must turbo charge ahead and deliver for the U.S African communities in 2012. Otherwise, during the November 2012 campaign, when “Four More Years!” slogans ring in the streets, many Africans in the U.S may simply not join the chorus.

About AFRICAN LEADER,

AFRICAN LEADER is a New York City-based media company serving and reaching the over $50 billion U.S African consumer market through direct subscription, email list, event sponsorships, networking, newsstand sales and online platforms. Analysts generally agree that there are between 3 to 5 million African immigrants, non-resident African immigrants and African-born U.S citizens currently living in the United States. The mission of AFRICAN LEADER is to become the most trusted and respected global media brand of choice for discerning consumers in growing markets, delivered through multiple interactive platforms. AFRICAN LEADER is published and delivered to its growing list of consumers from the heart of New York City, probably the most vibrant and cosmopolitan market in the world. As the trusted and reliable media brand for the U.S African market, AFRICAN LEADER is available in a newspaper format and also online at www.africanleader.net .

You may contact AFRICAN LEADER at theafricanleader@gmail.com

About Moses Asare Moses Asare is a director and special writer for the AFRICAN LEADER, a New York City-based media company serving and reaching the over $50 billion U.S African consumer market through direct subscription, email list, event sponsorships, networking, newsstand sales and online platforms. As the trusted and reliable media brand for the U.S African market, AFRICAN LEADER is available in a newspaper format and also online at www.africanleader.net Moses Asare is a respected expert on the U.S African Market, a booming niche market valued at over $50 billion. Analysts generally agree that there are between 3 to 5 million African immigrants, non-resident African immigrants and African-born U.S citizens currently living in the United States. In various key executive positions, Moses Asare has been actively involved in the U.S African market for about 10 years. Through his consulting work in Africa, Europe and the U.S and also as a strategic advisor to a New York-based communications firm providing marketing and advertising services to Fortune 500 clients, Moses Asare has provided strategic advisory services to leading multinational companies seeking to grow their brands and improve ROI in marketing to international, multicultural and niche consumers in the United States. Moses Asare is also a director of Convergence International, a non-profit, New York City-based global think tank established to promote free enterprise, entrepreneurship, investments and opportunity particularly in emerging markets and disadvantaged communities in the United States. Moses Asare has written extensively on key global issues and current affairs. He is currently living in New York City with his wife and three lovely children. You may contact Moses Asare at theafricanleader@gmail.com.