It is official--Barack Obama is our Democratic nominee for President. If you're like me, I could talk to millions of people and count on one hand how many of them honestly believed that a Black American would ever become President. Yet here we are! As I watched the roll-call of delegates in each state, over and over again give their majority vote to Obama, the reality of this historical moment brought me to tears--as it did many in the audience at the convention. Now, in retrospect, I have to ask myself, "Why did the thought of a Black American being President of the United States seem like such a farfetched reality?" I mean, seriously!
As I look towards the future of America, like Senator Joe Biden, I'm excited and can't wait to do my part in helping Obama be amongst the greatest of presidents that have ever served. No, I'm not on Obama's short list of colleagues, but he admits he can't do this alone--no great leader can--and he is adamant in his message that real change starts at the grassroots level--that's me and you. One thing we have to be clear about is our work is just beginning, especially, as it relates to our mindset on race relations and competency.
My work deals with the fear and avoidance of success, and whether we know it or not our support for Senator Obama is an act of Asking for Richer Ground. In the wake of our probable success in electing him as our next President, many may feel overwhelmed by the reality of what this victory really means on deeper social & racial levels. It is in this moment we have to have a contingency plan in place to counteract our old ways of thinking. What I mean is, in those secret moments of questioning his (Obama) ability to be President and our sanity in supporting him, we have to ask ourselves how much of that skepticism or doubt has to do with our own unconscious fears. Our fears of lack, our fears of the unfamiliar, our fears of living outside the status quo that we have been conditioned to accept as normalcy. A status quo that seems to maintain only the chosen few are worthy of a greater quality of life, and the rest of us--well, to hell with the rest of us.
Every adult American can honestly say we have played and will play a part in this momentous point in time; a time when each of us can either say we voted and worked for or against the making of a new, holistic direction for the United States. As "we, the people" move forward I want you to keep two things in mind; 1) This is the spirit of the time--and the Universe is demanding that we exploit strong efforts of closing the gaps that exist among humankind, from the simplest to the most global perspective. So, the question is will we seize the opportunity to move beyond our fears, stand in the way, or be left out? 2) During "change" or when we're faced with a "new" reality of life, we feel as if we're losing our sense of, Identity, Meaning, & Belonging. Because of this, we will have to ponder the African Proverb that says, "Many of us would rather live in familiar hells, then to go to unknown heavens."
Your next vote will not only determine "your" quality of life, but the life of your children and your children's children. I'm fired up and ready to go! I'm bringing my A-game in support of this movement of change. But I also know this will take courage on my part to let go of the restrictive mindset I inherited from a broken, fearful society of the past. Barack is ready; we are ready; America is ready for the change we need and are worthy of.
Pennie
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The hopes of our ancestors
Innarae, watching the Democratic Convention was bitter sweet for me, as is the time as we move closer to the election date. It was sweet triumph because as you said, I could see our ancestors standing tall with approving, yet protective eyes over the event. Not just the ones that endured slavery, jim crow and the civil rights movement, but also for the many African ancestors that relinquished themselves to a death at sea than to be imprisoned by mental or physical chains. I cried during much of the event because of what it really means for the mental, emotional and spiritual psyche of Black Americans, if we choose to seize the moment. It is also bitter—I can’t help but be skeptical that this election will be based on merits and the proven leadership Obama has shown in his campaign, simply because this country, historically, has dealt deceitfully with Black Americans when we have acted in self-sufficiency.
Regardless of the outcome, I truly hope that “We, the Black people” of American truly comprehend Obama’s actions on a deeper plain, and that we realize that it’s bigger than just electing the man. And personally, my soul cries out to be a part of the bigger plan.
I could not...
...have said it better myself. While I have many reasons for supporting candidate Obama, I can't help but feel a tinge of excitement for all of my ancestors who worked so hard hoping to see the fruit of their labors in such a time as this one. Your statements here have only added to that fire!!! Thanks for taking the time to post this and bless you!