I got a call from a friend in London. She was ecstatic over the election of President Obama. She and her other friends – people of African descent, were celebrating our victory, realizing that our victory was also theirs.
“We are so proud of you. Of African Americans,” she said. I almost cried. It’s not the first time I’ve heard the sentiment, but I guess, following the election, it really hit home. It also pained me, that so many African Americans don’t feel that same pride over our growth and accomplishments. Considering we only received the right to vote in 1966, to have had a Black surgeon general, a black poet laureate, a black governor and now, a black President – all in 42 years, is just short of miraculous.
If only these things were taught in school.
Until our schoolbooks are rewritten to reflect a more complete and accurate version of our existence and contributions to this country, it is up to us, parents, aunts, uncles, friends and mentors to teach it, embracing our African oratorical traditions.
President Obama was elected in what some call a landslide victory of 53% to 46% – and I admit, the gap is larger than anyone could have expected. However, we can’t forget that 46% of the voting population supported Senator McCain. It’s all speculation, but we can draw some reasonable conclusions from that fact. It seems that nearly half of the country was still drawn to the negativity that McCain spewed and it also stands to reason that some portion of his supporters were still uncomfortable with the idea of a black president.
I don’t say all this to deny the undeniable fact that a large portion of Americans are ready to set aside racial bias, but only to draw our attention to the work that still needs to be done. We have more bridges to build. McCain began that process with his concession speech, but it is still difficult to forget that he accused President Obama of being a terrorist, a communist, etc.
I’ve also heard stories from other friends here in the U.S. Some went to work elated on Wednesday, only to be greeted with a solemn, oppressive hush over their offices. Some overheard conversations of their co-workers expressing their absolute anger, dismay and disappointment.
It is absolutely their right to have supported whichever candidate they wanted, but because of our country’s history, the question of why, will linger. I’d like to hope that they disagreed with policy and not the color of the candidates skin.
In any case, we can’t deny that this election brought all of us here in the U.S. just a bit closer. We had an opportunity to look at each other in a new light, to work with people we may not have even spoken to otherwise. This is progress.
The bonus for me is that this election also brought people of African diaspora closer. I hope the lines of communication continue to open. I hope that we embrace the concept of self-help. I hope that we realize the borders of our communities stretch wider than the 20 blocks surrounding you. I hope that we become a united, proud, self-sufficient, re-connected people.
Tags: election, president obama, unity
I wasn’t that friend who called you from London, but I surely could be and would share the same feeling!