Representing the Ties that Bind

With a simple push of a pin, my participation in the most dynamic election season I have ever witnessed came to a close. During this political year I saw the best this country has to offer. The country that I call my home made me proud. I also had to witness the fear of change and difference. I watched the now President Elect Barack Obama, first have to prove his blackness to a Black, elite intelligentsia that wondered out loud what he would actually do for "Black America". Someone should have reminded these would be gate keepers that Senator Obama was actually running for The United States of America and not Black America. We also had to take in the specter of a McCain campaign that turned to the lowest common denominator out of pure desperation. At different points Senator Obama was called a communist, a socialist; he was even labeled a friend of terrorists. At times, McCain rallies felt like part sideshow, and part World Wrestling Federation fodder. Make no mistake the fear of difference has spiraled throughout the campaign, but without a doubt, the issue of the ties that bind, has come into play more than ever before.

From the beginning race has been an interesting backdrop within this election. Senator Obama ran a campaign in which he didn't raise the issue at all. This of course raised the eyebrows of some in the aforementioned Black political elite who still use race bating politics to further their own agendas. The would be candidate was forced to deal with race when his affiliation with Reverend Wright of the Trinity United Church was called into question. Through it all, the President Elect addressed the issue in a subtle but all together dynamic new way. In fact the way race has been talked about and written about has been all together new. Whites for the most part in America got a chance to see the true diversity within the African American community. Black writers and pundits who have a more moderate view of America got to flex their muscles and speak about issues of class, self reliance and responsibility. Black politicians who had quietly won elections in cities without a significant Black voting base spoke about issue driven campaigns and how they were able to down play race and stress commonalities. Issues of division and trust between Blacks and Latinos were finally center stage both during the primaries and in the general election. The idea of what it means to be "authentically Black" became and issue as did gender bias and gender bigotry. But in the final analysis, as the polls closed and as the election started to wind down, the real issues of the day took center stage. The nation's economic crisis became the center of attention. Class started to trump race as Election Day drew closer. In the final outcome the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became an honest, tangible reality. Voters judged this candidate by the content of his character and not by the color of his skin.

From the time I entered kindergarten it was drilled into my head that I could be whatever I wanted to be in the greatest country in the world, even President. Although I had never grown up in a Jim Crow America, I had always been skeptical of this premise. I had even voiced my doubts to my high school government teacher who argued with me about feeling this way in front of my fellow classmates. I guess at some point I need to give him a call and finally admit that he was right. On this election night Americans decided to put down the issues of division and fear and raise the ideas and ideals of hope, unity and yes...change. On Election Day my country decided that instead of celebrating diversity we would respect our diversity and celebrate the ties that bind us together. Some will no doubt see our President Elect as a Black President. Others will see him as a President who happens to be Black. As we move forward and work together to solve issues of economics, education, health care and national security, we will have to view the President Elect as our American President. He will be our American President who will work with us to solve the problems, issues and concerns that affect all Americans. Tonight "My country 'tis of thee" will have new meaning. Tonight we stand together at the edge of history. Tomorrow a new chapter in American history will be ushered in and together the country forges ahead...From every mountain side, the sound of hope shall be heard. From every hill top, the idea of change has been embraced. The question remains however, will Americans come together? Will we keep the momentum of change and turn rhetoric into tangible action? Will the American populace collectively do the work that needs to be done under the auspice of new leadership? For now the answer is simply yes...yes we can...yes we will....Amen.