Barack Obama secured the Democratic Party's nomination for president. It's official; HE is the First Black to be elected to lead a major party ticket. What an exciting yet conflicting time!
When he gets on the stage tonight to accept his nomination, I will be in the spirit of thanks. Thanking so many of our ancestors for bringing us to this day. Thanking Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for sacrificing his life and delivering the I Have A Dream speech 45 years ago today. Thanking Toussaint L'ouverture for his courage, fearlessness and conviction. Thank you, Toussaint and your team for the beginning. I'm wearing my Haiti jacket today full of pride knowing that we are at this day because of resistance from a group of enslaved Africans in a little island called Haiti who overthrew their oppressors and demanded to be a full human.
Today, as we Blacks/African-Americans, Democrats, and Individuals celebrate and take in this day, let's not forget to give energy and light to our ancestors – not just Martin Luther King and our public figures in the US, but also our ancestors in Haiti that crept up to the U.S. to help us gain our freedom here in the States.
This moment is bigger than us; it's bigger than Barack having the potential of being president. It's bigger than transforming the image of Blacks in the U.S. (especially women, thank you Michelle Obama for that). This moment is the change that we need to heal ourselves and all of our nations, not just this nation. Inhale the breath of our fighting ancestors when Barack makes his speech tonight. Let's show them that we are ready for the next phase of our life.
As excited as I am about this historical moment, I'm reminded that we need to be mindful of a couple of fronts. For one, we need to make sure that we don't create Barack to be Jesus Christ himself. Sounds silly, but I truly think that some folks really think that he's not a human being, that he's a godly figure of some sort and is untouchable. What's scary with some of his supporters is that they also forgot that a president has limited power and he may not be able to deliver all of the goals he's setting for his presidency. I truly believe his heart and motives are in the right place, but let's be careful with our expectations.
Secondly, I'm nervous that although we just made history by electing a Black man as the Democratic nominee for president, we will start to think that racism is over. Our race relations are still not healthy and this nomination doesn't mean that our race has come up and we are now equal. I also don't want this nomination to be the justification that people use to believe that there is no inequality for all people of color in the United States. I'm sorry but voting for Barack doesn't mean that Driving While Black no longer exists. Voting for Barack doesn't mean that your employer will now treat you like an equal. Voting for Barack doesn't eliminate Racism! It damn sure doesn't erase the mentality of people that just don't like or can't be social with Black people because they don't look like them.
You know what's funny? As I'm reading the story of this historical moment on CNN.com, I'm forwarded an email about The Tavern at Phipps Plaza discriminating against two Black men that I happen to know (thanks Vanessa). Please read article here: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/08/06/phipps_tavern_lawsuit.html
Hmmm, interesting.
So I repeat, let's celebrate but stay focused and grounded. Let's give thanks tonight during the speech, but inhale the fighting spirit of Toussaint, Martin and others who continue to help us overcome our daily trials of being Black in America.
Oh yeah, don't forget to register to Vote! We have history to make in November.
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