My wife told me this morning that this was the “first time she wanted to wave an American flag,” and I feel her. An extraordinary event occurred on November 4th, 2008 – an event that I and many Americans of African descent never thought we would ever see – the election of the United States of America’s first Black President, Barack Obama.
Last night was whirlwind of emotions, and travel distance, as I went from spending to time with my wife and son, driving to my cousin’s house to “build with my Muslim brothers,” watching Obama’s acceptance speech at the home of respected journalist colleague, Brett Johnson, along with other friends and other Black professionals, to driving to lower Manhattan to celebrate rapper Q-Tip’s album release, The Renaissance, at the club Santos with his Tip’s bodyguard and my friend, Big Mu/Muhammad. It was a night I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
But while I was traveling from place to place, I was building with my partner and fellow Phiscal Matters co-founder, Blandon Casenave, on the cell phone about the meaning of this election for Black people. And our discussions went from the feelings of hope and excitement, to more of a tempered overview of the State of Black America, which there will be an engaging essay coming soon from Phiscal Matters about this moment – and some of you will not like what we have to say. Just to give you an idea of the forthcoming piece, a powerful Black leader once said, “our unity is more powerful than an Atomic bomb…,” and we at Phiscal Matters believe that statement has much more meaning now than when it was first uttered over 40 years ago.
Once the euphoria of this historic moment passes (and please enjoy this moment people), the re-dedication to the upliftment and progression of the Black community in particular, BEGINS NOW! Barack Obama’s election may further normalize relations between Blacks and Whites on a social level, but the attainment of true economic and political power in America lies within in our hands, not in an Obama presidency (though I can’t neglect that President-elect Obama’s presence can further “smooth the path” towards opportunities). In fact, an Obama presidency should push us to become more engaged in the process of “doing for self.”
An energized African-American voter turnout helped propel Barack Obama to become the 44th President of the United States of America, and I don’t think many us see the power of that – A VOTING BLOC! Let’s us know fully understand that power, like every other ethnic group who has come to this country, and duplicate that understanding on a local and regional level. Let’s rededicate to ourselves to spending money with Black businesses, so we can extend the circulation of the Black dollar in the Black community – from 4 hours to a couple of days – which is essential to prospective creation of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for others. Let’s rededicate ourselves to not be beholden to a political candidate or party, and properly VOTE OUR INTERESTS. Let’s rededicate ourselves to building strong families, which is the nucleus of strong communities.
With all due respect, this is not some Black separatist rant. I and other members of Phiscal Matters are not a bunch of nationalist separatists. We are, however, are pragamatists, and I love Black people, and is very concerned about the survival and progress about our people (and not of the expense of other racial/ethnic groups I should add). There’s no denying that America is the greatest on the face of the earth, and I personally believe in the opportunities and promise of this country. But I would be remiss not to see that a stronger America also lies in a stronger Black America.
Let’s get to work.
3 Comments
It is amazing how powerful the African American vote, the African American dollar, African Americans as a whole really are. We showed that yesterday. I am impressed at our will to stand in long lines, and in some states, terrible weather, just to show our support, but I do also have to say, I hope that yesterday was not just a one day show of African Americans standing together to achieve historical greatness. Let’s not be fooled people, this is only the beginning. Believe it or not, Obama becoming president was the easy part. Our people running out for one day to make history by exercising their right to vote to put an African American in the position to run this country is an amazing fete, but know that he can not do it alone. So if you thought you can sit down and take a breather, my people, you are sadly mistaken. The hard part is only beginning. Change never happens in a day, but can take a lifetime. 216 years to be exact.
According to the Metro this morning, this country has been run by white males for 216 years. So my people, this man has some serious catching up to do and if we don’t do our part as a people, who knows how many more years will be stacked on to that number the next time we decide to stand up. So I plead with you, DON’T SIT DOWN!!! Not now, not ever. His campaign slogan was – YES WE CAN. So can we STAND to continue to do our part as a people? Yesterday you voted YES WE CAN. You’re vote wasn’t a one day cast, but a lifetime cast to YES WE CAN. So as Barack is taking his position in history, take yours. You made a difference yesterday, continue to make that difference today, tomorrow…and throughout your lifetime.
So yes…LETS GET TO WORK!!!
Many Black people throughout the United States decided to take this day off from work to celebrate, the victory of President Elect Barack Obama…the excitement is understandable, however my fear is the “We’ve made it, we’ve won, it’s over!” mentality. But actually, “We’re just getting started” all eyes are on us now, and we need to all become and continue to be examples of “YES WE CAN”. It’s ore than a campaign slogan, it should be a personal creed for our everyday lives…”YES WE CAN: attain higher education, be successful, be great parents, start our own business, build stronger communities, love one another, come together! YES WE CAN…show the world that when WE COME TOGETHER ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! YES WE CAN BE A LIVING TESTIMONY! YES WE CAN POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO HISTORY!
I am so inspired by Barack for so many reasons. I am mainly inspired by Barack’s campaign and now his victory, which i feel has encouraged so many people to wake up and open our (yes..present company included) eyes to the things we have taken for granted for far too long. I never would have thought in my lifetime I would see a viable african american candidate run for POTUS, be competitive and actually win. In the same breath, however, I never thought in my lifetime I would see so many people in my community take an interest in politics and having a desire to take proactive steps to change the world. My only fear is that the rockstar/POP element of this campaign will wear off and we will revert to being deaf, dumb and blind. Imagine a world where we truly created change by withholding the black dollar? or the black vote? Where we were unified and assumed that the black man’s ice was cooler? (lol) For some reason…right now..today…all of that seems possible. Let’s not drop the ball ya’ll.
..just my two cents.
BernZ