So, I’ve read and heard comments from people who could not see what the big deal was in President Obama’s inauguration. I had even read comments on some blogs about how we “shouldn’t even be calling him the first African-American President because he’s bi-racial.” Guess what folks… I have Italian ancestry, and I have ancestry from other countries. President Obama’s father was from Kenya. Kenya just so happens to be a country in the continent of Africa. So, guess what? He is African-American. He also happens to have a little bit of English and Irish in him as well. Get over it.
Now, let’s tackle the big deal part. I’ve mainly heard the complaints about why are we making this a big deal from people who have had their race represented in the White House since George Washington, himself. Let’s face it, for must Caucasians, life hasn’t been as much of a struggle as it has for many of the minorities who call the United States their home. For the most part, those of European blood immigrated to this country by choice. Can’t really say that for those of African blood, now can we? During the 1950’s and 1960’s, white people could go anywhere they wanted. They could attend mainstream schools, live in any neighborhood, eat at any restaurant and enjoy movies from decent seats. That wasn’t the case for a sizeable portion of the American population during the Pre-Civil Rights Era. The desegregation of schools, of the military, of our neighborhoods literally took the blood, sweat, and tears of many honorable, brave people to make that a reality.
If you think that for a second, every culture and subculture is accepted in this country, you have another thing coming. So, when the dream of an African-American minister that was shared on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial was realized a little over 45 years later at the steps of the Capitol Building by our new President, we should recognize just how historical yesterday truly was. It should mean something to you, whether you’re white, black, or purple. As an American, you should celebrate just how far we have come and you should give a damn.
Filed under: political morsel Tagged: | African-American, Historical, President Obama
Yes, indeed, it was a historical event, if only because we now have a President who can articulate.
If we remember the anger and fear that we’ve felt over the last 8 years and realize that the neo-cons are now in that place, their ramblings make a bit more sense. Let them have their angst. We had ours.
Ultimately, we MUST put aside our differences and work together. It will not be easy. Neither side can see beyond the opposition’s point of view but that is exactly what we must do.
Of course we should be excited and I WILL post why I feel that way…thanks for giving me a boot on my blog today, D, but I think am over my writing funk, and will have more time on my hands after today.
I keep welling up every time I think of all of the people, all of the Americans who fought, suffered, and gave their lives so that yesterday we could witness such an amazing moment in history.
We began just over 225 years ago as a nation who exploited slaves, brutalized a group of people who have been continuously beaten down by racists with failure time after time to guarantee the same “God given” rights as every WHITE MAN.
They were not allowed to be married.
They have a history that barely survived (the Library of Congress’ Slave Narrative Project is incredible [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/snhome.html]; any American should check it out to read first hand accounts of that part of our history from people who had NO voice).
Not allowed to learn to read or write.
Denied the basic dignity of NAMING themselves.
I can say yesterday made me believe even more strongly than ever, that we as a nation can learn from our past. We can be United as a nation. We have the will. We now need to make the way. Each and every one of us.
Amen!