This edition of Tell 'Em was inspired by my girl Afrifa who said, "I was waiting for an Obama post i knew u would be on it early.." I am actually a little late, but bare with me.
Yesterday was a historic moment on many levels. Barack Obama, an African-American, was elected by a landslide as the 44th President of the United States. I am happy and overwhelmed that I was able to see him the day before he won this prestigious title. I am beside myself that I was apart of living history. When they announced that Senator Obama won the presidency, a wave of excitement rushed through me.
In hindsight, I do not recall entertaining the idea of a Black man becoming the President of the United States. I remember hearing about Jesse Jackson's run for office and was old enough to see Al Sharpton do the same, but it just was not quite right. Neither of them were the right men for the job.
Enter Barack Obama who was and is on the right side of history. The stage was set and the moment was right. Not only that, he proved himself a valid and qualified candidate. Senator Obama is the President-Elect of the United States of America and rightfully so.
It is important that we remember who and where we are on the side of history. No matter who you voted for, you will be able to tell your children and their children that you witnessed history and you were apart of it. If for no other reason, for that you should be proud.
Here's why I'm mad:
Ida B. Wells, W.E.B. Dubois, Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, Malcolm X, Marvin Gaye, Barbara Jordan, Esther Rolle, Richard Pryor, Bebe Moore Campbell, Ossie Davis, Gerald Lavert, Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes, and more importantly, Madelyn "Toot" Dunham are not alive to see this day.
I wonder what they would have said and how they would have felt today...
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I'm just mad that Tupac and Biggie aren't alive to see this HISTORIC MOMENT in time....the day after the announcement of President-Elect Obama I was on my way to work and either Hot 97.1 or Power 105.1 played Changes by Tupac Shakur and as soon as I heard the first melody of the song I thought it was ironic that they played this song especially because I was thinking about this song and about Tupac...in his 2nd verse he says:
"I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it takes to make this
one better place, let's erase the wasted.....
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President.......
Chorus:
That's just the way it is
Things'll never be the same
That's just the way it is"
and at that moment I remember thinking: Damn if only Tupac could have lived for 12 more yrs...well technically 13 if he wanted to live to see the Inauguration..and I started to tear cause then I realized there are SO MANY people who have passed away and how I am SO BLESSED to still be living to see this spectacular moment that many people had doubted to ever be possible...and THE GREAT THING is that Obama did not win because he played "the race card" (because he didn't) but he won because HE IS TRULY QUALIFIED!!!
So to Tupac- That is just the way it is- things will never be the same...we will not have the same old Democratic or Republican president...Black men can no longer give the excuse that the white man is holding them down...men can not use the excuse that it is in their nature to cheat and beat on women....AND THAT IS JUST THE WAY IT IS!!!!
STAND UP FOR YOURSELF....EITHER PLAY THE GAME OR SIT ON THE SIDELINE....but I'll tell you one thing....NO ONE will ever know your name if your on the sideline!!!
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