We approach on Tuesday something magnificent here in our country: the peaceful exchange of power that happens every 4 years. Considering the political unrest in so many parts of the world and our changing times, it is truly amazing to realize that the system men put together over 200 years ago still works, and still works well.
Now, I'm gonna be up front about something: my candidate didn't win. Most of you who know me in real life aren't surprised about that revelation. However, having said that, I do wish Mr. Obama well. While I don't agree with many of his ideas and a lot of his proposed policies, I hope that he is able to look to God for guidance and to use that guidance to do what is best for our country, and not necessarily what may be most expedient. He has the most powerful and the toughest job in the world.
I understand for a lot of people, the inauguration of an African-American president is a big deal. But honestly, I'm not seeing it. Now, before you lambaste me for being callous or unfeeling or racist, let me tell you why...
I'm a child of the Deep South, born four years after Brown v. Board of Education (look it up, if you don't know what I'm talking about). I distinctly remember the day at the end of my first grade year, when the teacher explained that "little boys and girls who looked different from us" would be in our school the next year -- that's how desegregation was explained to 6 and 7 year olds.
But you see -- I don't see others as African-American, or Asian-American, or whatever other hyphenated designation you want to give. I see everyone as people. I strive daily to treat people by the Golden Rule and do unto them as I would have them do unto me. I really don't care what color they are.
So when I look at Mr. Obama, I don't necessarily see an African-American man... I see a man who is about to become president. I will make my judgment of him and his actions by the "content of his character" rather than the "color of his skin", to paraphrase a famous speech.
Isn't that what it's supposed to be?? Wasn't that what the civil rights struggle was about?
May God Bless America as we face the challenges in front of us.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Some thoughts on the inauguration
Posted by Jean in Georgia at 11:04 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Totally agree. And to point out, he is Bi-Racial, not 100% Af-Am. He didn't have a typical Af-Am upbringing, he was brought up in a Caucasian household.
It's sad that the major thing that got him elected was his skin color. Yet a white person would be racist for voting for a white candidate only. Clearly another double standard for the Dem party.
Hear, hear! I'm tired of hearing "how far we've come", etc. If we'd really come that far, we shouldn't have to mention it!!
Amen! Unfortunately not everyone sees the world and its people as you and I do. I think that this election was testament to seeing people and not color. I also look forward to the day (maybe in 2025?) when a child reads a history book and is surprised that this was a first for the country.
Glorious post. Simply glorious.
Post a Comment