Going To Church
November 5, 2008
Today is one of the most important days of my life. The United States of America has elected its first African-American president. Barack Obama's win has mobilized and inspired people from various walks of life. His win is a catalyst for real change, in our homes, our community, our country and our world.
So why am I not enthusiastic? Perhaps because I have not wrapped my mind around it.
I'm only 35, but I've studied and seen first-hand some of the injustices that have been inflicted on my Black people. Because of these injustices, I've developed somewhat of a cynical attitude towards the future of race relations and civil rights. We've come a long way, but there's so much that have been denied to us (and still being denied to us) that I can't help but be doubtful if things will change in my lifetime.
But today, I have encountered people (right here in Chi-Town), who are much older than me and have further experienced the ills of racism, swell with emotion. I've seen men and women crying, and not ashamed to do so, because they are shedding tears of joy. They speak about Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and other civil rights trailblazers who are no doubt smiling upon this day. Their eyes shine with pride, optimism and hope, now that a man, who looks more like us than the previous forty-three presidents, will usher us into a new day.
While surfing the Web, I see images from around the world who are celebrating Obama's win. People from Japan, France, the United Kingdom, his childhood home of Indonesia, and his father's homeland of Kenya, are elated for this man. They are jumping and shouting and cheering, because they appreciate the significance of this day.
And I'm sitting here like it's any other day.
I must be in shock, or my cynical nature is bigger than I thought. But I think I have the cure for my cynicism.
It's been my experience that on some Sunday mornings, you're not in a church mood unless you're actually inside a church. Once you step into the building, you gain a whole new perspective. Once the music starts playing, and the sermon is being delivered, and the congregation is rejoicing in unison, your spirit starts to stir and build into a praise and rejoice of its own, and you are ultimately glad and grateful to be in church one more time.
Well, my church will be near the White House in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2009, better known as Inauguration Day. The sermon will be delivered by President Obama. Unfortunately, I will not be in the Nation's capital to witness Obama's swearing-in and acquiring the Oval Office.
I was naive to believe that I would actually get to view the event in-person and have someplace to stay in DC. If only I had the forethought to book a room prior to last November and aggressively solicit my congressman to provide me a ticket to the inaugural affair! But then again if I had that forethought, I would be financially well-off.
Anyway, after witnessing this blessed event (via television), there is no doubt my cynicism will dissipate, and I will join the millions of enthusiastic people who have already wrapped their minds around this historic event.
However, I encourage those who have the werewithal and resources to make it down to DC. And you don't have to be a cynic like me. You may be bleary-eyed from crying or watching the election results all night long. Your body may be sore from dancing in the streets. Your voice may be hoarse from screaming and shouting victory at the top of your lungs. But that's alright: just get ready to do it again in 75 days. So what do you say? On 01/20/2009. LET'S GO TO CHURCH!
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