Topic: A Thank You Letter.
- Nov 5, 2008 03:15pm by Reach. - Peace and oneness,
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Stacy D. Smith
November 4th, 2008
On an evening where the American spirit triumphed over a partially soiled American legacy I wanted to take a moment to thank you. A scant forty years and six months to the day following the assassination of a true American hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I extend you my gratitude. For it was President-Elect Barack Obama's adherence to his vision, of a society with the strength and courage to transcend racial boundaries, that has brought us to such a ground-breaking moment in American history. A moment where American pollsters judged Senator-turned-soon-to-be-Commander-in-Chief Obama not by the color of his skin, but rather by the content of his character. It's fitting that such a historic campaign and subsequent victory take place on the 20-year anniversary of the last serious African-American candidate, Jesse Jackson, who vied for the nation's highest office. Jackson, who undoubtedly paved the way for Obama passed on the mantle and the hope of the Civil Rights Era and movement he inherited with King's passing.
I'm not certain we could've done what many believed to be the impossible without one of the most inefficient Presidential administrations on the books. Without 8 years of poor stewardship from the Executive Office that went beyond the pale of governmental regression I might not have this opportunity to thank you for your service. You single-handedly inspired the unprecedented wave of voter registration and the genning up of American people on voter rights during the failure of the electoral process in the 2000 Presidential election. What else could've motivated people who might otherwise have balked at participating in the voting process?
The American people were sold a bill of goods in an effort to send our sons and daughters to die on Iraqi soil in the prosecution of an unjust war. A war that brought with it a full assault on American freedoms which have since been stripped away in unconstitutional and unceremonious fashion. Fear is a powerful motivator. So powerful, in fact, that your gratuitous use of fear-mongering to goad the American public into supporting the war that they very literally elected for change at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on Election Day.
Your mishandling of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy was a shining example of how indifferent you can be to the plight of impoverished Black America. That incident soured the global perception of American government at a time where its approval ratings abroad were already abysmal. That perception is almost certain to change now that America's first Black President has been elected and the hope of the American dream has been restored.
Your involvement in placing the interests of Wall Street ahead of those of Main Street again showed the nation how secondarily significant they are. During the worst economic crisis in a century your loyalty to big business overshadowed the greater good for those you were sworn to protect. The initial $700 Billion bailout plan proposed, with no oversight, only led to the eye-opening of pollsters who've lost faith in government. I can only imagine that your efforts to rally the American people behind the initial plan being a mediocre businessman who was, himself, the beneficiary of bailouts thirty some odd years ago was encouraging to voters.
During the early stages of the Presidential race your characterization of a Columbia University and Harvard Law School graduate as "articulate" reinforced the negative attitudes about Black intelligence in American society. Your refusal to stay above the fray of Republican smear tactics so tested the will of the American people that they opted for the Obama high road. People have had enough of the divisive nature of the GOP, but your efforts to aid them in their time-tested strategies helped seal the fate of John McCain and Sarah Palin. Apparently your constituents aren't interested in a third term.
Thank you for spearheading a regime that forced the hand of the American public. Change is all we're left with in the wake of your presidency. You've proven to me, Mr. George Walker Bush, that being mired in the muck of Presidential mediocrity can move American citizens to accomplishing something the likes of which our great nation has never seen politically. Yes you can Mr. President. Yes you did.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
Stacy D. Smith
- Nov 5, 2008 06:20pm by NRG - livin the art that is life !
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in your letter Stacy, you have summed up what many of us have known was taking place as a undercurrent in this country.
Until the middle class, the driving force of this country began to feel threaten by the lessening of "its secured rights as americans" there was little hope for the change to that matched our constitution. Little promise for the least of us
I have empathy for the middle class that they have had to experience what so many americans already knew and at the same time I am thankful to Mr. Bush for making it abundantly clear throughout his presidency, how little we as american matter in the face of more monetary gain for his business connections.
I am happy for the consciousness raising and waking up of this country and hopeful for our future, in the wake of this election of Mr. Obama. Based on his speech last night, it is not lost on him that america is divided that his victory does not come with a desired mandate from a majority of americans. he spoke quite transparently to how he will procede and that HE will be "their" president too. I took this to mean, he will hear their concerns as he weighs what actions are needed. He will be a leader for all americans.
For those who see him as a "Black Man" only, look again to see that he is the embodiment of the global community. his upbringing outside of the united states of america says he brings a world view to us.
He has not felt the systemic oppression and disenfranchisment minorities of the U.S. have had visited upon them for centuries at the hands of this nation.
this is not to say that he has not experienced his own unique crisises of his soul/personage, at once being african and white, american, indonesian, hawaiian, ivy league, too black, and not black enough.
It is percisely because of the things mentioned above and many other factors that I KNOW this is his time. I am thankful to be here as a witness for my ancestors to see this day.
In many ways, I believe he will show us in the coming days, why he is the perfect person for this time. At a time when we are experiencing US dislike and distrust from our allies around the world, I suspect his unique experiences,if we can follow his lead, we will not only repair, but enhance the world's perception of Amercia and OUR willingness to work together for a better future for all of the world. I believe this the breath of the change the Amercia and the world seeks, a enlightened Collaborative Model.
time will show how things will develop. For now I am stunned, weeping openly in dismay, hopeful and yes still tenative. Mostly I am sharing all of these feelings with my ancestors whose shoulders I stand on to be alive today. we are hopeful for the future of the world
- Nov 5, 2008 06:37pm by NRG - livin the art that is life !
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recieved this in an email from a friend. felt it was appropriate to share here.
From Alice Walker
Nov. 5, 2008
Dear Brother Obama,
You have no idea, really, of how profound this moment is for us. Us being the black people of the Southern United States. You think you know, because you are thoughtful, and you have studied our history. But seeing you deliver the torch so many others before you carried, year after year, decade after decade, century after century, only to be struck down before igniting the flame of justice and of law, is almost more than the heart can bear. And yet, this observation is not intended to burden you, for you are of a different time, and, indeed, because of all the relay runners before you, North America is a different place. It is really only to say: Well done. We knew, through all the generations, that you were with us, in us, the best of the spirit of Africa and of the Americas. Knowing this, that you would actually appear, someday, was part of our strength. Seeing you take your rightful place, based solely on your wisdom, stamina and character, is a balm for the weary warriors of hope, previously only sung about.
I would advise you to remember that you did not create the disaster that the world is experiencing, and you alone are not responsible for bringing the world back to balance. A primary responsibility that you do have, however, is to cultivate happiness in your own life. To make a schedule that permits sufficient time of rest and play with your gorgeous wife and lovely daughters. And so on. One gathers that your family is large. We are used to seeing men in the White House soon become juiceless and as white-haired as the building; we notice their wives and children looking strained and stressed. They soon have smiles so lacking in joy that they remind us of scissors. This is no way to lead. Nor does your family deserve this fate. One way of thinking about all this is: It is so bad now that there is no excuse not to relax. From your happy, relaxed state, you can model real success, which is all that so many people in the world really want. They may buy endless cars and houses and furs and gobble up all the attention and space they can manage, or barely manage, but this is because it is not yet clear to them that success is truly an inside job. That it is within the reach of almost everyone.
I would further advise you not to take on other people's enemies. Most damage that others do to us is out of fear, humiliation and pain. Those feelings occur in all of us, not just in those of us who profess a certain religious or racial devotion. We must learn actually not to have enemies, but only confused adversaries who are ourselves in disguise. It is understood by all that you are commander in chief of the United States and are sworn to protect our beloved country; this we understand, completely. However, as my mother used to say, quoting a Bible with which I often fought, "hate the sin, but love the sinner." There must be no more crushing of whole communities, no more torture, no more dehumanizing as a means of ruling a people's spirit. This has already happened to people of color, poor people, women, children. We see where this leads, where it has led.
A good model of how to "work with the enemy" internally is presented by the Dalai Lama, in his endless caretaking of his soul as he confronts the Chinese government that invaded Tibet. Because, finally, it is the soul that must be preserved, if one is to remain a credible leader. All else might be lost; but when the soul dies, the connection to earth, to peoples, to animals, to rivers, to mountain ranges, purple and majestic, also dies. And your smile, with which we watch you do gracious battle with unjust characterizations, distortions and lies, is that expression of healthy self-worth, spirit and soul, that, kept happy and free and relaxed, can find an answering smile in all of us, lighting our way, and brightening the world.
We are the ones we have been waiting for.
In Peace and Joy,
Alice Walker
- Nov 5, 2008 06:55pm by Reach. - Peace and oneness,
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[quote:965df0ccd1="NRG"]
For those who see him as a "Black Man" only, look again to see that he is the embodiment of the global community. his upbringing outside of the united states of america says he brings a world view to us.
He has not felt the systemic oppression and disenfranchisment minorities of the U.S. have had visited upon them for centuries at the hands of this nation.[/quote:965df0ccd1]
The election of Obama into the nation's highest office isn't just a victory for African-American people, but that is a compelling story line. For both Blacks and non-Blacks. I'm not lost on what this means for society-at-large and the world audience, but it was striking how it felt to talk to my mother in the aftermath of the announcement. Knowing that she had lived through Jim Crow. As many other elders in my life (yourself included) did. That, alone, is as powerful as the other storylines that accompany this moment.
But I tend to agree that we must celebrate this victory in totality and embrace all of what it means for humanity.
- Nov 5, 2008 09:28pm by JKR70 - [img:66e766d8cb]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/JKR70/LVSIGNATUREBANNER.jpg[/img:66e766d8cb]
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Damn well put letter Reach.
- Nov 5, 2008 09:56pm by Reach. - Peace and oneness,
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www.cdbaby.com/cd/reachmusic Location: Kansas City
[quote:307768491a="JKR70"]Damn well put letter Reach.[/quote:307768491a]
Thank you sir.
- Nov 6, 2008 12:45am by NRG - livin the art that is life !
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Stacy said
[quote:a0f36d2cd0]"but it was striking how it felt to talk to my mother in the aftermath of the announcement. Knowing that she had lived through Jim Crow. As many other elders in my life (yourself included) did. That, alone, is as powerful as the other storylines that accompany this moment. "[/quote:a0f36d2cd0]
I know something has changed, I can feel it, but I have internalized so much, I think it may take a while to decompress.
Ive met folks throughout the day who were tearing up, feeling like his election proves there's been a shift I know there has been, but having been in this country all my 55 years, I have been experiencing elation and surreal feelings since the announcment of his victory.
interesting experience
