While he spoke briefly about Americans having the right to vote with ease and urging people to practice stronger civic engagement, he said nothing about the political plight of District residents lacking full representation in Congress despite paying federal taxes.

“He said nothing about D.C. statehood and I expected him to,” said Anise Jenkins, executive director of Stand Up! for Democracy/Free D.C. “I was not expecting that. I am furious and angry because of that.”

Other disgruntled residents took to social media to express their frustration.  “I’m disappointed in how [Obama] has treated and ignored the people of D.C. but I fully acknowledge he has to deal with some real crazy bastards,” Josh Burch, a District statehood activist tweeted Jan. 12. Jenkins was among 40 people gathered at the headquarters of the African-American Civil War Memorial and Museum to watch the speech.

Howard Croft, a former University of the District of Columbia professor and a political analyst, agreed with Jenkins but said the president’s omission of District statehood had little to do with his disrespecting the movement or its mission.

“D.C. statehood just didn’t fit into his agenda as president considering what he had had to do nationally and internationally,” Croft said. “D.C. statehood was rarely on his agenda and was not a top priority of his.”

Even with the omission, Obama still garnered support during his address in D.C.

“Last night, President Obama laid out a clear path for our nation’s future-from strengthening our economy to growing our middle class, to making our country safer and stronger,” Mayor Muriel Bowser told the {AFRO}. “While there is a lot we can do in the District government, we also need our leaders on Capitol Hill to work with the president and foster an environment that focuses more on people and less on politics. That includes supporting cities like Washington, D.C. as we grow our prosperity and expand economic opportunity.”

D.C. Council member Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) wasn’t upset about the omission either.

“As the president told the nation, the state of our union is strong,” Todd said. “There is still much work to be done, but in America, our success is only limited by our determination; and, of that, we know no bounds. “

Even though Obama did not mention D.C.’s plight, his last State of the Union address held both a confrontational, but patriotic tone as he delivered it to the U.S. Congress and the nation.

“Tonight marks my eighth State of the Union,” he said during the 70-minute speech. “I want to focus on our future.”

The president talked about the economic recovery since the Great Recession that started in 2008 as well as reigniting the energy debate in the country and overhauling the health care system.

He charged U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) to lead a task force that seeks a cure for cancer and embraced educational initiatives such as pre-Kindergarten for all children, free community college for eligible students and making college more affordable. On the international front, he said the “United States is the most powerful nation on earth period.”

The president touched briefly on gun violence, saying that he will fight for fair gun control during his final year in office. Homage was paid to the millions of Americans who lost their lives to gun violence with an empty seat next to First Lady Michelle Obama.

Blacks in the first lady’s box included early Obama 2008 supporter Greenwood South Carolina Council woman Edith Childs, Cedric Rowland, a Chicago navigator for the Affordable Care Act, Army veteran  Earl Smith of Austin and District solar power entrepreneur Mark Davis.

D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) supports the president’s gun control measures and proved it by giving the father of slain D.C. journalist Charnice Milton, a ticket to the president’s address. “I appreciate that my constituent, Kenneth McClenton, has agreed to be my guest,” Norton said. “Mr. McClenton and [Charnice’s] mother, Francine, understand better than most why gun safety legislation is necessary today.” Milton’s killer has yet to be found.

Read this article online at the AFRO.

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