This isn't the first time President Obama's used #Selma to divide us *Sigh*

H/T Media Matters for America

Let's recap.

The White House announced President Obama would be coming to Selma for a photo op, I mean to commemorate the anniversary of Bloody Sunday on Friday instead of Sunday, blindsiding march organizers, black elected officials, community activist, and foot soldiers.

Black elected officials called a press conference asking President Obama to participate in the annual Sunday march because any attempt to hold two marches, one on March 7 and one on March 8, would be "divisive," and would send the wrong signals to the world.   Ya think?

Let's go back in time to SUNDAY (not to be confused with Saturday) March 4, 2007, and the infamous battle for the hearts and minds of black voters at the annual Bridge Crossing.

SELMA, Alabama (CNN) -- The top two Democratic presidential contenders fought Sunday for the support of African-American voters in a place infamous for a bloody clash between voting rights protesters and police.
Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spoke at events marking the 42nd anniversary of the 1965 Selma voting rights march, a turning point in the civil rights movement that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act.

How well I remember having to choose between standing in a mile long line to hear Hillary Clinton, or, standing in an even longer line to hear  Barack Obama, give dueling speeches at two churches just a block apart.

 Selma officials say they cannot remember a time where competing presidential candidates showed up at the same time for the event. The presence of both candidates shows just how competitive the race has gotten when it comes to the African-American vote — a key Democratic constituency.

So, candidate Obama came to Alabama on Bloody Sunday, but President Obama is coming to Selma on Saturday?  I wonder why?  I'm just speculating, but I think THIS is the reason President Obama chose not to participate in the Bloody SUNDAY march.

Alabama black leaders invited the Rev. Jesse Jackson to speak out regarding Bloody Sunday during today's press conference, as he was in town discussing voting rights.
Jackson said the Voting Rights Act is eroding in the South since the Supreme Court struck down Section 4.
This section of the act required Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia to get clearance from the federal government or federal court before changing its voting laws.
"The Voting Rights Act is under assault," he said.
That's why the 50^th anniversary of Bloody Sunday -- the march from Selma to Montgomery that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act -- can't be seen as just a celebration, but as a protest for the unprotected, Jackson said.

Again, I'm speculating, but it seems like to me our President wants to commemorate the anniversary of Bloody SUNDAY on Saturday with style, not substance.  We can't have the first African American President of the United States marching in a protest for the unprotected can we?  Snark

Right on cue, every time black elected officials dare criticize President Obama's actions, the media can be counted on to find a black face (yes I said it) to co-sign the division. 

While some black leaders in Alabama are speaking out against President Barack Obama's plans to visit on the actual anniversary date of the Bloody Sunday march, others are simply excited about his return to Selma, no matter the day.
"The President is coming to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic event and we are excited that he is coming to this area," Senate Minority Leader Quinton T. Ross Jr. (D-Montgomery) said in a written statement.

I don't know who the unnamed others are, but the majority of Alabamians agree with Alabama State Senator Hank Sanders (D. Selma) .  There is also the rumor the group Faith and Politics unilaterally decided to move the Bloody SUNDAY commemoration from Saturday to Sunday in order to have a celebration on Sunday in Montgomery at the same time the Bloody Sunday event takes place. 

unilaterally decided to move the Bloody Sunday commemoration from Sunday to Saturday in order to have a celebration in Montgomery on Sunday at the time the Bloody Sunday March always takes place. - See more at: http://www.blackpressusa.com/an-open-letter-to-president-barack-obama-from-alabama-state-senator-hank-sanders/#sthash.PcJr3rlr.dpuf

President Obama, the moment was sacred because blood was shed. The moment was sacred because the blood was shed on Sunday, a holy day for so many. The moment was sacred because the day, the blood and the struggle came together in that time and space. Bloody Sunday is sacred. - See more at: http://www.blackpressusa.com/an-open-letter-to-president-barack-obama-from-alabama-state-senator-hank-sanders/#sthash.PcJr3rlr.dpuf

President Obama, the moment was sacred because blood was shed. The moment was sacred because the blood was shed on Sunday, a holy day for so many. The moment was sacred because the day, the blood and the struggle came together in that time and space. Bloody Sunday is sacred. - See more at: http://www.blackpressusa.com/an-open-letter-to-president-barack-obama-from-alabama-state-senator-hank-sanders/#sthash.PcJr3rlr.dpuf

Don't get me wrong, I love President Obama, but it's not about him, it's about the blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice of the men, women, and children who were on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody SUNDAY.

Candidate Obama came to Selma on Bloody SUNDAY.

President Obama should come to Selma on Bloody SUNDAY too.