Can We Exhale Now?

Photo credit: www.cbc.ca

by Guest Contributor Brian Robinson

As I write these thoughts, the first full day of the existence of a “President-Elect Obama” comes to a close. Less than 24 hours ago, we all witnessed something that I truly had considered to be next to impossible in these here United States: a President of color. Its been a high wire act that has made me stare in a near hypnotized state of amazement and has also made me cover my eyes in fearful anticipation of a fatal fall. And, yeah, I even cried a little. But, when I did uncover the eyes something supremely fantastic appeared before me. I saw my country, our country, come together in a spectacular way with a forceful voice and shout “We approve!” (Or, maybe even a more Trump-like “You’re hired!”)

I stand in awe of the United States today. Not just because an African-American (a literal African-American in the sense that his father was first generation Kenyan) was so sweepingly supported in unison by Black Americans, but that he was so supported by Americans of EVERY color! In a way, it should be considered stereotypically American given that we are, in our composition, a nation of numerous racial heritages. More so than any other nation on this planet. President-Elect Obama was given the position by not just “Black America”, but by AMERICA, full stop.

That should be a point of pride for us all today. I know that the overwhelming approval doesn’t make it that much easier for McCain supporters, in fact it is likely to make them even more upset with the final outcome. But, I do hope that once the sting wears off, they can take in the enormity of the accomplishment. I hope they have reason to. You see, although Obama will never get a 100% approval rating from our nation (Who does? Even Franklin Roosevelt had detractors and he had nearly FOUR terms to get it right!) he still has a lot to prove to us all. Any employer will tell you stories about that man or woman who could barely handle the job they were hired for, but damn it, they just interviewed so well!

Political campaigns are similar in that sense. Its far easier to talk about what you will do in office than to actually do it. People I know, who were/are Obama-heads, always seemed to ask me at some point in our political discussion, “So do you support Obama? You don’t seem that excited.” Well, I have a quirk in my DNA that doesn’t allow me to fall in love with any politician. Part of their job description is to tell you what you want to hear. And some will say ANYTHING to get into that office. Some are more transparent about that than others, or simply lack the skills to cover up that lack of talented lying. And despite my admission of squeezing out a few tears at seeing Obama’s victory, don’t mistake those for tears of love just yet.

I was moved to tears, because as a Black American, the significance of that moment was beyond just one man. It symbolized just how far this country has come since men like M.L. King, Medgar Evers, Robert Kennedy and, yes, Malcolm X, all went down violently in the pursuit of equality. And those are just the most well known martyrs of the Civil Rights movement; there were thousands across this country of all colors and religions who made a stand to force this country to start to live up to its ideals — and you can bet it cost them something, if not their lives. I remember a friend of mine in college pointing out that true power is never given, even when its written in a constitution, it must be embraced and taken. I think all Americans can appreciate that. (Actually, I have to add Jesse Jackson to that list of people who sparked the fight for rights here. Though I have major issues with the Jackson of 2008, he was there at the beginning when it was just a group of “agitators” who had only their bodies to sacrifice, and no grand political machine to protect them. I thought his tears were not only genuine and moving last night, but they were earned. I imagine he couldn’t think of anyone else but his friend, Martin).

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Photo credit: drmartinlutherkingjr.com

But, as majestic as that idea is, its one that has to be constantly fought for. Just like the idea of equality. While we are all Americans, there will always be physical differences between us; some will be darker, some will be lighter, some speaking in a southern dialect and some with a midwestern twang. We will always note the differences, its just the way our brains work. And by “our” I mean the human brain, not the American one.

So, I hope we can all give President-Elect Obama some time to gear up here. I am very heartened by the immediate stories that he is looking around 360 degrees in terms of who can fill his cabinet positions — Republicans, Independents and Democrats, all. It was really something to see the beaming faces of pioneers like Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice today. Two African American Secretaries of State under George Bush…though I wont hold that against them…who broke that barrier as well. With tears in their eyes, they welcomed the prospect of seeing Obama at the head of the table and moving our country forward. I think they know of what they speak, and I like the sound of it.