Thoughts on the Election.

I didn’t vote for the black guy this year, like many others, I voted for a reasonable, intelligent, forward-thinking MAN with an impressive political and social ideology, who happens to be black.

I entered this election with the same enthusiasm as I did in ’04, when Kerry stood to end the dangerous Bush/Cheney regime. However, I didn’t cry tears of joy when they announced that Barack Obama was the President Elect simply because I imagined the end of eight years of “Bushit.” I broke down because in the words of Young Jeezy, “My President is Black.”


Listen to "My President Is Black" (Ft. Nas)

The significance of having an African American President extends beyond the borders of the country that enslaved our ancestors for 400 years. I saw the photos and videos of celebrations around the world from people who were touched by this indelible historical mark. People of all hues, ethnicities, and religions took to the streets when the decision was final: Obama will be leading this potentially great country for the next four, glorious years.


This election is sure proof of our progression, in spite of the quiet acts of racism by our legislative, judicial and executive braches that occur daily. Change is around the bend. It has always been there, but this election has widened our scope and made us more privy to our own possibilities. Obama cannot be solely responsible for transforming this country; we must travel on our own two.


Election night, I sat, glued to CNN and BET and listened as commentators followed, predicted and reflected on the race. Never have I been so engulfed in the business of politics, but the historical implications of either outcome had everyone—blue to white collars—poised to embrace the moment.


Watching the scores on the bottom of the screen became surreal as Obama’s electoral votes climbed. Then, there was that defining moment, as the votes jumped beyond 270 and the projected winner was announced: Barack Obama.


I could only cup my hands and cry. Instantly I thought of my great-grandfather, at 97, relishing in this triumph. I thought about my future sons, my brothers and the nephew who’s still in my sister’s womb. I thought of my parents, who worked tirelessly in various movements for just an inch of this type of victory. I screamed. I shouted. I shed tears on top of tears.


We finally got more than our “40 acres and a mule.” We got the respect of a nation who is ready and willing to thrust the future of our country into the hands of a reasonable, intelligent, forward-thinking MAN with an impressive political and social ideology: A BLACK man at that. We have the adoration of the world.


And now, I believe in the adage and can firmly exclaim, “Yes, we can!”

3 Engage in Discourse:

Unknown said...

Your words were well written. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. It was trully amazing to see the other countries rejoice along with us. As I was listening to NPR in the early morning, they spoke with people from some countries and one person said "I don't think of the US as satan anymore, it is a new day and I'm happy he's there"....

Porschia said...

wow, you might have you opened my mind a little bit.thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

beautifully written. this has definitely been a motivational tool i will use to inspire everything i set out to do from this day forth.

i hope that a wave of motivation sweeps across the ghettos of the US, inspiring other black men to fight and WIN against a system that never wanted this to happen. there's so much more they don't want to happen, and i hope that we can continue to "disappoint" that system by continuing this victorious spirit.

excellent, well written piece..

 
 
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