1.26.2009
1.24.2009
One moment of celebration before continuing on
Everything in me is a jumbled mix of emotions. I cried in that crowd of 2 million people. I saw others cry with me. I wish I had asked them why they cried.
I cried for history. I cried for change. I cried not just for the peaceful, democratic transfer of power. But for witnessing a step toward equality.
As much as I deal in reality and logical thinking. I am one of the most idealistic people I know. I see, or at least think, the best of people always. And I hope for the best in mankind and our future. But as much as I believed that the day would come when race might be put aside, I’m not sure if I really believed. I wanted to believe. And on Tuesday, I saw it.
At least I saw for a moment. I saw a black man sworn in as President of the United States. True, I took a moment to wish and wonder after the day when it could be a woman, but all things in their time.
On Tuesday, I believed in change. Not the CHANGE that Barack Obama is trying to usher in, though I believe in that as well. No, the change I believed in was the ability of mankind to overcome fear and doubts and hatred. I may not have been alive when segregation was the rule of the day, but I’ve heard and I’ve seen racism with my own eyes. And I know I will see it again.
Perhaps that is what has me so mixed up. I want to enjoy the moment on Tuesday when racism seemed to be a non-issue. But I know that it is not over. The fight has not been won. Too many people did not vote for him because of the color of his skin. If it was his politics, I could understand. But not his skin. Or his religion. Or his father’s country of origin. Even the mixed racial marriage of his parents. Do these things matter? I do not believe so, but too many people still do.
I want to BELIEVE. But we still have a long road ahead. Barack Obama is just a man. A man who inspired millions. A man who we hope too much of, I think. A man who should not be put on a pedestal and worshiped. The President is one person. They have great power, but they have great limitations as well. One black man achieving success does not right all the wrongs, nor erase all the past, present, and future acts of hate. I want to believe. And I have great hope.
Tuesday was another step in achieving Reverend Martin Luther King Juniors Dream, but it should not be seen as the last. There is a great road ahead. I was proud to be standing in that crowd of 2 million on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. I was proud to show support for this moment in history. I will always be proud. But I will only take a moment to celebrate before continuing the difficult journey ahead.
I cried for history. I cried for change. I cried not just for the peaceful, democratic transfer of power. But for witnessing a step toward equality.
As much as I deal in reality and logical thinking. I am one of the most idealistic people I know. I see, or at least think, the best of people always. And I hope for the best in mankind and our future. But as much as I believed that the day would come when race might be put aside, I’m not sure if I really believed. I wanted to believe. And on Tuesday, I saw it.
At least I saw for a moment. I saw a black man sworn in as President of the United States. True, I took a moment to wish and wonder after the day when it could be a woman, but all things in their time.
On Tuesday, I believed in change. Not the CHANGE that Barack Obama is trying to usher in, though I believe in that as well. No, the change I believed in was the ability of mankind to overcome fear and doubts and hatred. I may not have been alive when segregation was the rule of the day, but I’ve heard and I’ve seen racism with my own eyes. And I know I will see it again.
Perhaps that is what has me so mixed up. I want to enjoy the moment on Tuesday when racism seemed to be a non-issue. But I know that it is not over. The fight has not been won. Too many people did not vote for him because of the color of his skin. If it was his politics, I could understand. But not his skin. Or his religion. Or his father’s country of origin. Even the mixed racial marriage of his parents. Do these things matter? I do not believe so, but too many people still do.
I want to BELIEVE. But we still have a long road ahead. Barack Obama is just a man. A man who inspired millions. A man who we hope too much of, I think. A man who should not be put on a pedestal and worshiped. The President is one person. They have great power, but they have great limitations as well. One black man achieving success does not right all the wrongs, nor erase all the past, present, and future acts of hate. I want to believe. And I have great hope.
Tuesday was another step in achieving Reverend Martin Luther King Juniors Dream, but it should not be seen as the last. There is a great road ahead. I was proud to be standing in that crowd of 2 million on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. I was proud to show support for this moment in history. I will always be proud. But I will only take a moment to celebrate before continuing the difficult journey ahead.
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