When I sit down and seriously conider what kind of change is possible under President Obama, I get kind of shaky and weepy. I feel myself floating into a hazy, dream-like state; a state of hope and excitement; of fearlessness and optimism.
Tonight I watched "When We Were Kings", a documentary on the famous "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Goerge Foremen and Muhammed Ali in October of 1974 in Zaire. For those of you who haven't seen it; rent it, borrow it, or buy it: it's spectacular.
The movie highlighted a message that I've been trying to broadcast to everyone I talk to about this election.
This election is not just about the obvious choice between two candidates, or the astronomically poor choices of John McCain, or of the massive problems facing the US today. There is a larger issue that I feel so excited about, I can barely contain myself.
Some people think that Obama's race is a question mark, as if being black somehow makes him less qualified, less acceptable, or less "real". In my eyes, I see his race as an enormous plus; a bonus. And here's why...
I have heard stories fom a number of different sources about how, for the first time in our nation's history, the vast minority population will be able to have a leader who understands who they are and where they've been and the unique (and supremely unjust) struggles that minorities face in this country. This, in and of itself, is one of the most beautiful and poetic things that could happen to us as a nation.
But, more than that (as if that weren't enough), I truly believe (and try to just go with me on this journey) that we are at the precipice of ending our issue with race in the US.
I'm not kidding; and I'm not crazy. We all know someone who has been racist, homophobic, or discriminatory in some way, who has had the very foundations of their beliefs turned 180 degrees by the mere fact of working with, getting to know personally, or otherwise personally relating to the object of their discrimination. This happens everyday on main streets across this country; on factory floors and in offices; in schools and churches and hospitals and communities.
Racism, like any other form of discrimination, cannot stand up to any kind of scrutiny. We all know that. But, when we are presented with an opportunity to hear the stories and share the experiences with people who are different, we realize, on a very personal level, how connected and similar we all are.
This election is the nation's first opportunity to share this experience on a national level in a way that no other President has been able to do with mere "dialogue".
I not only believe that Obama is the best candidate for President right now -or at any time on our history- regardless of race, I welcome the opportunity this country has to grow up and out of it's long history of racism and to embrace the genius and leadership that can only come from equal representation.
For the first time, we are facing the possibility of a leader who can represent the best America has to offer, in a package that makes that representation meaningful to everyone.
So, let's roll up our sleeves a little further, dig deep in our pockets, and do whatever we can to make this dream (and it is a dream come true) a reality.
We've got about 15 days left until we can wake up to a brighter, more just and rational world...
Im so excited!
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