President Nixon’s Positive Contributions to Black Americans. Not Just Watergate!
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You probably thought of one word when you saw President Nixon’s name – Watergate, while some thought, WTF. Why is the crazy guy writing about “I am not a crook” President Nixon?
Today, we jump to one opinion embedded in concrete with steel rebar. Just look at Harris and Trump. Their names incite a very different response depending on your side. The truth is usually somewhere in the middle, and after reading more and visiting President Nixon’s Presidential library, I saw more of the complete picture.
Let’s explore Richard Millhouse Nixon
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICIES EXPANDED
President Nixon made significant contributions to the African American community. President Richard Millhouse Nixon (a fantastic middle name) held office from 1969 to 1974, coinciding with a tumultuous period in American history characterized by civil unrest, social upheaval, and a struggle for racial equality.
One of Nixon’s most notable contributions to African Americans was his expansion of affirmative action policies. In 1969, Nixon announced the Philadelphia Plan, which aimed to increase the number of minority workers in construction jobs. This plan required contractors doing business with the federal government to demonstrate a certain percentage of minorities in their workforce. By mandating these conditions, Nixon laid the groundwork for future affirmative action initiatives, emphasizing the importance of equal opportunity in employment, particularly for African Americans.
The Philadelphia Plan represented a significant shift in how the federal government approached labor and employment. Previously, affirmative action had primarily focused on education and training programs, but Nixon’s initiative was one of the first to apply it directly to the workforce. By actively promoting minority employment, Nixon sought to increase economic opportunities for African Americans and address systemic inequalities in the job market.
HE IMPROVED THE EQUALITY OF EDUCATION
Education has always been a critical arena in the fight for civil rights, and Nixon’s administration made strides in promoting education equity. One of Nixon’s key education initiatives was implementing Title IX legislation, which prohibited discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs and activities. While Title IX predominantly focused on women’s rights, it also opened doors for minority students, including African Americans, by emphasizing equal access to educational opportunities.
Additionally, Nixon’s administration launched programs to improve educational resources in underfunded schools that primarily served African American communities. These initiatives included federal funding for school construction and resources to enhance educational facilities. However, these policies represented a federal acknowledgment of the academic gap based on race and class.
REDUCTION IN CRIME
Nixon’s “War on Drugs” is blamed for contributing to the mass incarceration of African Americans, like President Bill Clinton’s policies. President Nixon included initiatives to address underlying social issues contributing to crime in urban areas.
The Nixon administration allocated federal funds for community policing programs to build better relationships between law enforcement and African American communities. These programs sought to engage local communities in crime prevention strategies, recognizing that community participation was vital to effectively addressing crime and violence. By fostering cooperative relationships between police and neighborhoods, Nixon’s policies aimed to create safer environments while addressing some systemic issues that led to crime.
IMPROVED HEALTHCARE ACCESS
Another area of significant impact was healthcare. The Nixon administration pursued policies to improve healthcare access for marginalized communities. Nixon signed the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, encouraging establishing health maintenance organizations (HMOs). These provided comprehensive health services at a lower cost, especially in underserved areas, including those populated predominantly by African Americans.
Nixon’s administration recognized that health disparities were a pressing issue, particularly in the African American community, where access to quality healthcare was often limited. By promoting institutions and funding that provided medical services to low-income families, Nixon sought to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in healthcare access.
PRESIDENTIAL BOARDS AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Nixon established several advisory boards and committees to address issues affecting African Americans. Through the National Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity and the President’s Committee on Urban Housing, Nixon sought to directly involve African Americans in the policymaking process. These committees provided platforms for African American leaders to voice their concerns and influence federal policies affecting their communities.
The involvement of African American leaders in these bodies marked a shift toward more inclusive governance. It acknowledged the necessity of representation in discussions shaping policies impacting their lives. This move recognized the importance of African American voices in national dialogue.
WATERGATE
There are movies about Watergate, so I will not bore you. The burglary of a feeble opponent’s campaign office was stupid enough. Still, as usual, politicians who tend to lie when they open their mouths get in trouble by looking at the camera and lying! Recall – “I did not have sex with that woman….”.
And most of them are lawyers! Richard Nixon graduated from Duke Law School, one of our nation’s finest. I am biased as North Carolina is my home.
A COMPLEX MAN
Calling President Nixon complex is like calling an NBA Center tall. For non-basketball fans, the majority are about seven feet tall.
Look up in the sky. It’s a bird, it’s s a plane. It’s Shaquille O’Neal.
However, recognizing Nixon’s contributions to African Americans is vital for a more nuanced understanding of his presidency. Some of his policies paved the way for improvements in education, employment, healthcare, and civil rights advocacy for African Americans. Thank you, President Nixon.
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YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE! – SOME CHARITIES I SUPPORT
St Jude Hospital: The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.https://www.stjude.org/
Wounded Warrior Project: An American charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Folds of Honor: Providing life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. And now, our mission expands to the families of America’s first responders. On our watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten. https://foldsofhonor.org
Wilson’s No-Kill Animal Shelter: A N0-Kill shelter that is a top-rated non-profit. They compassionately care for all their animals. https://wilsoncountynokillanimalshelter.mywcn.com/
Tunnel To Towers: Since 9/11, we have been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. We are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001. https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/#!/donation/checkout
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I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an NC. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
