Former president Bill Clinton, commonly referred to by the Black community as 'the first Black president,' was recently inducted into The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame. The nickname had always been playful in nature, but in light of recent events, we're beginning to wonder if Black people actually view Bill Clinton as a Black man.
The Black Hall of Fame has been a home for the great Black men and women in history. It is a record of outstanding people of African descent. There are many people who are not Black who have done things for the race; however, these individuals would be more appropriately inducted into something termed "The Civil Rights Hall of Fame," or something of that nature – not the Black Hall of Fame. Inducting people who are not Black into the Black Hall of Fame detracts from the purpose of having a historical record for the achievements of Black people.
To disagree with the induction of Clinton into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame is not to take anything away from the contributions that Bill Clinton has made for Black people. He has taken an active stance on the AIDS crisis in Africa, and he had the most Blacks in cabinet than any other President. Few would argue that Clinton was a friend to Blacks, but nevertheless, that does not make him a Black person. His induction has confused the very meaning and purpose of the Black Hall of Fame and it causes us to wonder if there is any respectable entity that is reserved for exceptional Black people in this country.
