Obama Silicon Valley Visit Neglects Suffering Communities

Communities Hit Hardest by Budget Cuts, Foreclosure Crisis Not on Itinerary.

President Barack Obama, Feb. 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

(SAN FRANCISCO) - President Obama is making a mistake if his visit to the Bay Area ignores the California communities suffering most from the recession and that are likely to be hurt further by the administration’s budget proposals, policy experts at The Greenlining Institute said today.

“It’s disturbing that the president’s visit seems to be devoted only to schmoozing wealthy tech moguls while ignoring the communities that are suffering most,” said Greenlining Institute Executive Director Orson Aguilar.

“The president’s budget targets programs that help the working poor, open doors to higher education, and let low-income families heat their homes. The many California communities that are struggling deserve a little of our president’s time.”

Aguilar noted that the foreclosure crisis has been particularly devastating to communities of color, with rural communities in California’s Central Valley suffering especially from the foreclosure crisis and unemployment.

“With communities of color particularly hard hit, for the president to center his visit around an industry that’s notorious for its lack of diversity feels particularly out of place,” Aguilar said.

“We’re not saying he should ignore Silicon Valley, but people in places like Richmond and Modesto and Stockton are suffering and feel like no one is listening to them.”

Source: THE GREENLINING INSTITUTE - A Multi-Ethnic Public Policy, Research and Advocacy Institute