[to the left is a photo of Martin Luther King, Jr. being arrested for "loitering"]
I've heard so many Christians remark on the outcome of the election with a concern about how Barak Obama's administration will affect the abortion issue/economy/war. I truly understand the concern but I would like to go on to say DON'T MISS WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE!!!
I watched Barak's acceptance speech with incredible joy and excitement(McCain's speech was just as heart-wrenching and great!). History in the making!
I watched the Reverend Jesse Jackson weep. I wondered what was going on in his mind and heart. I don't care what anyone says about Jesse Jackson because this is a man who watched his inspiration and mentor get gunned down some 40 years ago. Jesse Jackson watched Martin Luther King, Jr. give his life in the name of love.
I dropped a tear or two when I saw an African-American family that's headed for the White House walk out on that stage in Grant Park, downtown Chicago.
They stated that the issue of race wasn't part of this election but it certainly came to the surface when the nation clearly chose it's next president and a ripple of emotion most certainly made it's way across a nation that has hundreds of years of hurt and immense suffering to still heal from.
Did you watch the exuberance and emotional responses of the African-American communities? Or did you miss it?
Did you set down your political stance and stop to think for just a second that something as powerful as the abolishment of slavery took place on Tuesday evening, November 4, 2008?
When I was in high school I was part of a U.S. History team that ended up being involved in a nation wide competition involving the history and knowledge of the Constitution, the Amendments and the Declaration of Independence. Each of us was responsible for a certain section and for the investigating of it.
My specific assignment was to be able to answer the value of a black man as a voter after slavery was abolished and when free black men could vote. Their value was 1/5 of a vote. They were worth 1/5 of what a white man was worth.
We went to the Supreme Court of Ohio to compete. No one knew when you would be called up to answer your part before the Supreme Court Justices. I remember so well when it was my turn to speak. At that time it was 1987. I remember that moment because the Supreme Court Justice that I had to face was black. I remember I had to explain to a black Supreme Court Justice, as I stood in his court a young white Catholic male, the reasoning behind the 1/5 voter value of a black man. It was perhaps one of the most humbling experiences of my life because I cannot comprehend what it is like to be devalued because of skin color and that is it.
Seriously stand back and look at the scope and magnificence of this. An African American is going to be the next President. An African American family will occupy the White House in our lifetime. After hundreds of years of opposition, dehumanization, and devaluing we now witness great hope in the healing of immense racial divisions around the world.
So be encouraged that after 400 years of Africans clinging on to the right to be seen as equal they now give to a nation in need through the highest office available. If after 400 years of fighting opposition through sacrifice after sacrifice has proven change is most certainly possible and injustices are not inevitable then perhaps the Christian church of the United States will begin to realize that after 35 years of fighting against legal abortions they should take some lessons on how to stand up for what is right instead of expecting it to change by just voting every 4 years and expecting one person to handle the grunt work.
A great day has come and if you are white and can only see this as an economic issue or an abortion issue then my friend I would ask "how much of your political view have you shared with the African American community face-to-face and not just with your white friends via the internet?"
A great day has come. Don't miss it.
