WHEW…What an Exhale!
Black Enterprise Election Cover
God heard our prayers.
Congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama.
The saints of the Middle Passage, plantations of the south, Jim Crow and civil rights are rejoicing. I welcomed the words “Obama Wins Election” that exploded across TV screens at 11:00 p.m. EST on the evening of November 8 -celebrating with tears and shouts of joy, as I am sure many of you did as well. As I watched footage of the crowds cheering from Grant Park in Chicago and listened intently to the victory speech, I suddenly realized a new sense of responsibility.
More than any other group of people in this country, Barack Obama is a true symbol of not only hope, but of coming to terms with years of being “the minority.” With this election, we have become part of a diverse majority of a nation looking at a new day. Barack Obama represents all of us, and in return, we must represent him well.
In many circles, he will be under close examination in the course of his first term as president, through a powerful neoconservative microscope. Every move he makes, every opinion he expresses, and down to the most minuscule decisions is going to be dissected in the minds of those who oppose the very idea of this man in the White House. In fact, all of us as a people will be exposed to some scrutiny through the clouded lenses of opposition. For this reason, we need to step back and take a good look at ourselves as citizens.
Every time we step outside the doors of our homes, and even within them, we should do so with a sense of renewed pride. Men and women, sons and daughters, it is time to look in the mirror and determine if you are truly proud of the reflection you see of yourselves.
- Do you see a strong, responsible and committed father?
- Do you see a woman who epitomizes the true strength and beauty of womanhood?
- Will you ask your sons to pull up their pants?
- Will you teach your daughters to make better choices?
- Will your sons become the better choices you ask your daughters to make?
- Will you participate fully in your child’s education?
- Will you direct yourself and your family toward faith in a higher power purposed to guide you in the spirit of love?
- Will you make a commitment to become a vital constituent determined to forge a better community?
Think for a moment of the magnitude of this new era. A black man and his family will reside in the White House, a place constructed by the hands of slaves and the residence of 43 white men before him; some of whom were slave owners themselves. He has a daunting task ahead of him -cleaning up the mess of old politics while commanding his call to bring forth change, which has become his inheritance. His success relies upon citizens holding up their responsibility.
We are all aware that it may take years to come up out of the cauldron of the last administration, but be encouraged that many of the burning fires are extinguishable as we progress forward for a better country. We must share the awareness that the Obama administration is obligated to serve all the people in every aspect of governing; pleasing many while discouraging others.
There is no looking back. The heavens have poured out the blessing we all have prayed for at some point in our lives. We are a viable component of this mix of cultures called America. We have a competent, deep thinking leader who is a visionary and a renewed hope. Now we must work together as a people, and a nation bridging divisiveness to achieve those unseen promises of liberty.
Two references of scripture come to mind when I think about the future of the Obama presidency. Keep them in your hearts and minds as you pray for our first family and our new administration.
Matthew 11:29-30… “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Romans 8:31-33… “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” Selah
Now that you and I have exhaled…in the words of Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
© 2008 Sharon Moore Stenhouse – All Rights Reserved
