Barack Obama Galvanized Music Lovers into Change Agents

Over 10,000 music lovers who attended this year Essence Music Festival in New Orleans were called upon by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to join him in changing the course of American history by actively participate in confronting the neglect that brought about by Hurricane Katrina.

Reminding the crowd Thursday night, the outstanding presidential candidate loved by young and old across the country, pointed out that before the disgraceful events of Katrina, the people of the area were in dire straits, despair and destitution as a result of decades of neglect by government.

In the word of the presidential candidate, "The legacy of race and poverty continues to shape our lives every day and it's time we did something about it." He maintained that the outpouring supports gained during the period of the hurricane was a result of shared love by American people for their fellow citizens.

He further said, "It's that America was ashamed on that day and the days that followed. America was shocked." Mr. Obama lamented that it shows the level of disconnect that the federal government has with the people and that it is time to turn the page by ending the polarizing divide created during the past decade and know that we all interconnected.

Sen. Obama passionately speaks about what he called "dump war" waged by the Bush administration when there is war in New Orleans that needed urgent attention. He reminded participants that he opposed the war when it was unpatriotic to do so, pointing out that it shouldn't have been authorized by the congress-buttressing his point of good judgment.

In the past four years, the war in Iraq has cost over $275 million a day-an argument, which the charismatic senator said the money would have been used in solving the daunting tasks that confronts the people of New Orleans before and after the hurricane.

"We've got needs here. We've got wars on the streets of New Orleans that need to be tended to," Sen. Obama remarks.

He received a warm welcome by the thousands of music lovers who graced the august occasion. Spectators poured thunderous praises on the presidential candidate for partaking and addressing the issues that is confronting African Americans.

Amazingly, even at an occasion that most politicians may want to pander to the audience, one of the attendees pointed out to me that he was impressed by the Senator's stand and authenticity in confronting them with what he described as " the red truth of our situation."

Several Obama supporters in the area volunteered during the festival to distribute campaign literatures, grip cards, bumper sticks and other campaign gears to participants. I was told by the supporters that the Obama for America are not aware of their activities at the event-a clear symbol that the grassroots organization by Mr. Obama is actually not a computerized based group like it was during Dean's campaign in 2004.

A residence of New Orleans named Bridget Johnson who attended the festival said, "It tells us that we are not forgotten," echoing her support for Mr. Obama's courage.

The Senator spoke for almost 20 minutes to a hungering crowd that stood on their feet clapping all through his speech like they are at a BET award show.

He called on the spectators to be part of that generation that stood for something and not just against something-a remark that resonate with most Hip Hop lovers who attended the festival.

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