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Great Expectations
January 17th, 2009
Hey hey & Happy Saturday! I was watching Administration-Elect Obama-Biden on their whistle-stop tour this morning and noticed that Malia, the elder of his two daughters is getting hella’ tall. It reminded me of this article I’d seen where she basically tells her daddy that his inauguration speech “better be good.”
Aside from reminding us of just how amazingly precocious these two beautiful kids are, Malia’s comment pretty much sums up the entire planet’s take on Obama’s presidency-to-be: “it better be good.”
Wow. Talk about pressure. As I write this I’m visiting w/ my parents before heading down to DC and I hear my mom in another room give a joyful, high-pitched scream. She does it again and I know without asking, exactly who she is screaming for. The subsequent chant confirms it: “Obama! Obama!” Even sitting before a TV in the confines of her living room, watching our nation’s long-awaited knight-in-shining-armor takes on the feel and excitement of a political rally or better yet, a religious revival.
“Barack Obama, Global Saviour.” For a few still nursing a little post-election bitterness, such words might be uttered in derision. But for many they are mouthed with genuine hope. How wonderful would it be to see those hopes realized?
But there’s a problem. No one citizen is going to “save the world” anytime soon – the problems facing us are too many, too big and too difficult. The inescapable truth is that Barack Obama cannot “save us” any more than any of his predecessors could. One person cannot carry the weight of the world. But one person can most certainly inspire another to help take the weight.
If we are truly invested then in the dream of a better world, then I say let’s give a great man a hand. Let us not rest on our national laurels in the wake of having “already made history” a few months ago. Rather, let’s believe in the dream enough to put our own heart, soul, mind & muscle into realizing it. Because if each of us does our part to help this new President be the hero we are looking for, then he will surely succeed…and so will we.
So the next time you feel that overwhelming sense of inspiration at the idea of an Obama Nation; that good vibe that gets you going enough to make you shout out loud! Ask yourself one question: “what am I going to do to help make this happen?” Whatever you come up with…
It better be good.
D.N.A
My uncle told me one night, with all the seriousness of the world, “Obama is the Messiah.” Imagine my astonishment at this statement especially since this was coming from a man who never was religious and who has voted Republican since I can remember. And yes he did vote for Bush – twice. While I was a bit relieved that he was starting to see some light, I was also really disturbed by his comment. Not just for religious reasons but also because I was legitimately afraid of what would happen when, God forbid, my uncle realized that Obama is not the Messiah. It’s the same fear I have for the rest of this country – that we will be so caught up in having a savior that we will be horribly distraught when Obama shows his true colors – that of just a man who is doing his best. But then again…maybe he is the Messiah and all my worrying is for naught. Only time will tell.
Wow! I laughed at the visual of your mom screaming in excitement as Obama appeared on the the television screen . . . I mean, she has Derrick N. Ashong in her HOUSE, and as her son, no less. You would think she would be over it. But I guess our parents and those closest to us are the last to be truly wow’d by us, aren’t they?
As is evident by the comments of Obama’s own children . . . LOL!
Rise and Arrive,
This is The Moment
The Greater Day is finally Our Reality,
The Moment has arrived in Our Lifetime,
I see for those who hadn’t the chance to see,
The time is theirs and mine.
He will serve as Our President of our every state,
I feel He will do us all so very Proud,
Commander and Chief with this heavy weight,
Can you hear that cheering crowd?
From a Senator to the World’s Top Man,
He’s educated and charismatic and real,
When he says: Yes, We Can!
You can see how it makes people feel.
In the eyes of those who watch him speak,
In the smiles, he puts hope in,
When Obama has yet to reach his peak,
Take a listen, the Man has spoken.
He wants our help, He told us that,
Let’s do all that we can do,
We should all have his back,
He’s doing it for you.
“I Have a Dream”, it begins today!
The first steps may be a little slow,
But, now we can see the way,
And now we’re on the go.
Don’t look for any miraculous deeds,
Or magic from a genie in a bottle,
We must be ready, watch our speeds,
Keep our hands steady, on the throttle.
The ways have been paved on others’ backs,
The sweat and toil and pain and lives,
The strength to carry cotton sacks,
Yet, our spirit continues to thrive.
I stand behind you, Mr. President.
As so many others will do,
We know your terms will be well spent,
Michelle and the girls too!
Congratulations on The Presidency,
You are now The Number “1” Man!
And words flow so easily for me…
Yes, We Can! Yes, We Can! Yes, We Can!
By
Kelvin Brown Sr.
Chicagoan in Kenosha
January 18, 2009