ELECTION
As I sit here trying to analyze the causes of the anger and displeasure of the past election, I began to wonder what is it that has caused so much dissatisfaction with this President. After all other presidents have accomplished much less under more favorable terms.
From my small vantage point I see a possible cause, "racism", that lingering stench that no longer lives in the back hills of the country, or guzzles beer like water, it now where's expensive suits, shirts, and ties, It has a tan, and gives the appearance of intelligence; it is seductive to those who are insecure and looking for reasons to justify their incompetence, ignorance or lack of willingness to find equitable solutions.
This new form of racism has clouded the minds of people across all racial barriers and because of overuse of the word, its meaning has been diminished. With that in mind racism no longer has to hide. It has now has become more overt as opposed to covert.
Americans, of all genders, races, and creeds have been seduced by the un-syncopated rhythms of misinformation, and stripped of the ability to critically think. We are now being led to an ocean full of salt water and convinced that it's fresh water and okay to drink.
As African-Americans, we have been blinded by a false sense of “my country tis, of thee," our eyes are clouded in such a way that what we think what we see is the promise of equality. Additionally, we are being guided by those false prophets whose only interest is in themselves.
We have a President who strength comes from his intellect not his brawn, yet many would prefer to see him act in an angry fashion, rather than look at the fools whose anger and frustration will not allow them to recognize a black man for his intellectuality.
The gift of a true leader is in the ability compromise without alienating or completely favoring one side or the other.
While there are those who recognize the weight that is on the shoulders of this President, there are also those who want to add to the weight and not help with the lifting.
We, as a people should also remember that the disrespect that is being heaped on this President is unfortunately the same disrespect that has been heaped upon us.
As an historic event the Presidential election was a great accomplishment, but for African-Americans that's all it was an historic event; one of the many that have clouded our vision over the centuries.
Our local politicians are still the same old bunch that has failed to produce, for the communities they serve. There have been no earmarks that have benefited our communities.
"[T]he disrespect that is being heaped on this President is unfortunately the same disrespect that has been heaped upon us."
ReplyDeleteGood point. It's all designed to keep us in our place--powerless, hopeless, and defeated.
It's not happenstance that the language of politics is the language of war and violence.
Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.
ReplyDeleteKing Whitney Jr.
As I was reading your post I remember this quote and I thought it had a distinction with your passage. Instead of using term “racism” what about “change”? Sometimes fear of change clouds the mind of people that leads to stupidity, ignorance, or the lack of willingness because things are happening outside their norm which is a threat to them. I think the inconsistencies of bad behavior prior to the Obama election has a lot to do with change and not racism. He doesn’t have the profile of the presidential norm in the United States. Like you said in your passage:
The gift of a true leader is in the ability compromise without alienating or completely favoring one side or the other.
Obama I believe is that characteristic and the fact that he came in so strongly once he became elected it made people nervous and parties (politicians) act out of conduct because this new change (Obama) was above their power. President Obama is the “confident” that will help our country progress into something better and I’m the hopeful citizen that this change will help make things better.