Barack Obama is President of the United States. The inauguration was on January 20, two weeks ago. Unless you've been living under a rock, you already know this. With a blog name Poor Black Boy, I felt weird that I didn't write on the momentus occasion. I actually feel a little Obamad-out. Now, after some time and American Idol, I think i'm ready to tackle my feelings about it.
My wife currently works in a group home for girls. She is a behavioral counsellor to teenagers who have been abused or neglected and tries to teach them the skills they need to survive in 'normal' society. Many of these girls in this house are black (i could use African American but after their comments about Africans, I rather not). In the burbs, of Seattle, the great northwest, there is still a struggling low-income group of black people. Yet Obama is president.
I'm struggling with the reality I see around me and the excitement about Obama as president. I agree that this is an amazing step for the United States and there should be celebration. But Obama is one person. With a lot of power but still one person. Obama cannot in the next four years erase the damages to the black male pyche nor irradicate prejudice. I believe he is a step in the right direction but let us not give ourselves a badge for having a black president or a president who isn't Bush(shame!, yup, i said it!). I will not rejoice until i see black fathers become the norm or people who say they love diversity have that apparent in their relationships.
I am excited to see another Martin Luther King Jr , but not only as the "rock & roll superstar" or the Popular Trend of the day, but as a leader who is just a voice to a whole generation of people who are willing to sacrifice for ending injustice and prejudice. Thats it! Voting for Obama was and is not a sacrifice for the American People. I have yet to see us put "our money where our mouth is".
So I ask myself and you, what Change are we leading? What hope are we bringing? I pray Obama does all that he can. I pray we do the same as well.
4 comments:
I agree! Change can only be determined in hindsight! Yes, you can take steps toward change which I believe America has done by choosing Obama. However, let's not get too crazy people... there is still LOTS of work to do! And not only for the blacks... but for everyone! Are we actually really going to make a change... cos OF COURSE its possible... it always was! But what are YOU gonna do about it?!?!
* Be the change you wish to see in the world -- Gandhi *
Thanks for saying it out loud. I remember someone asking me at work if I wasn't thrilled about it, and I responded something like... What's to be thrilled about? America finally caught up to the West Indies and Africa and other countries. So what?... The person looked at me funny. I think it's a step in the right direction though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Obama is only the first step to leaving a long journey behind and facing, still, a very long journey ahead. It is up to us 'Westerners' to use the opportunity for all the potential it promises. As you say, we have yet to prove ourselves.
I do not like to admit it but I am prejudice. It rears it's ugly head from time to time. Most of the time I do not even know I am being prejudice. Things I learned growing up that I had not really thought about what they meant. But I do see it play out in many different ways...it is not just a race thing. Read Fried Green Tomatoes sometime...it is not the movie. My husband has helped me with my ignorance. He has experienced prejudice from both sides being from the only black family growing up in an all white community and not being black enough when in the military. Just recently some one made an interesting comment about Obama to him based slowly on the fact they are both black. I have helped him too. Prejudice is definitely not limited to race or just one race.
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