Yesterday, standing on the steps of the United States Capital Building, directly facing the Lincoln Memorial, where the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his "I have a Dream" speech, Barack Obama made history being the first African-American to recite the oath of President of the United States.
As an African-American, I looked at this historical event with a certain sense of pride that I think only an African-American could. With the painful history of the African-American engrained in mind since I was a little boy, watching Obama take center stage as the most powerful person in the world meant a little more to me.
I'm reminded of a Chris Rock stand up where he said "If you're white, the sky is the limit. If you're black, the limit is the sky." This may have been a very cynical observation by the comedian, but prior to this event, where was the proof that he was wrong. The image of African-American men was one of idiotic characters like Soulja Boy or Plies, they were all uneducated, made up the majority of the prison population because they were all criminals, and were all deadbeat dads. African-American children today, particularly young men, lacked a positive and realistic role model emulate and aspire to. Now that void has been filled with a man who lives his life through Christ, is a loving husband to a beautiful wife, a devoted father to two gorgeous daughters, grew up with no money, fame, or fortune yet with hard work and dedication worked his way through school to obtain an elite education, and dedicated his life to public service and helping others.
It is my sincere hope that black men will look at this and see they don't have to be rappers, athletes, drug dealers, or gangsters. Instead of aspiring to be the next T.I. or 50 Cent, Kobe Bryant or Lebron Jamses, there is now another option. If you work hard, play by the rules, live a good life, be a productive member of society, and serve causes bigger than yourself, the sky can be the limit for you too.
Thoughts?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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As an African American woman, I see Barack Obama as a symbol of hope for our men. He is not your typical black come up story. He was not raised by a Black mother; he was not born in an inner city. His life is achievable, but for the average black man history is not as relateable as others. Does that make him less black of course not. On the other hand, his wife Ms. Michelle grew up on the Southside of Chicago to a modest family and still acheived success. Neither one of them was handed anything, and they have worked for everything they have acheived. Thugs love Obama as much as the collegiate community, but it is a different type. They will never aspire to be President, but this has made them realize that NOW its a possibility and not just an adolecent fantasy.
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