Fit to be a martyr?
Listening to the speeches, one immediately hears something different. That difference inspires hope. That hope is that things can be better than they are and that change is on the horizon. That hope also awakens a certain vigor. The listener feels compelled toward action, to take part in a transformation which begins with the act of standing up and taking responsibility for the change that must come now.
I had been guilty of riding the fence when it came to forming an opinion about the senator who would be president. I had heard the hoopla and caught snippets of the conversations about him, but I had yet to investigate for myself what this man was about and what, if anything, his political career meant to me.
Generally distrusting of politicians, I have seen that Capitol Hill has a way of transforming men into unholy creatures initiated into a seedy game that has its own language, culture and religion. One might argue that these derelicts of humanity have brought the underbelly of society with them into seats reserved for men of integrity and honor. Others might argue that the uncommon man is overwhelmed by the political morass which has become our government, impotent to tackle the herculean tasks set before him.
The muck and mire of Congress has a way of catching good intentions and drawing them to the bottom of a stagnant bog where doing the right thing is debated until there is neither the will nor interest to actually do anything. This is one of the lenses through which I observe a man like Obama.
Those politicians who are successful at capturing the media’s attention garner more of my criticism naturally. I don’t know if that speaks more to my perception of the politicians or the media. In an age where governors can steal presidencies, share complicity in an act of terror against their own country, profit off of it, go to war under false pretenses, hold the constitution hostage under a so-called Patriot act, stack the Supreme court and the lower courts with party-lined cronies, reap profits from oil and pharmaceuticals while passing exploitation legislation and enacting policies to guarantee those profits, and politicizing the media so that it spouts party-line propaganda designed to keep the masses confused, distracted and misinformed - I think I am justifiably suspicious. That’s another story, though.
Barack and Blacks
Like Martin, Malcolm and others, Barack poses a potential threat not only against the establishment, but its collaborators who have managed to remain hidden from the public eye. In heralding a new day, Barack threatens the Jackson’s and Sharpton’s who insist that it is their job to keep the peace - when in fact they have done little or nothing for the Black community at large. They are, no doubt, members of the infamous Boule, a membership of the black elite, literally defined as Advisors to the King. Barack threatens to expose these co-conspirators who operate within the legacy of W.E.B. DuBoise as he did everything in his power to undermine the efforts of Marcus Garvey. Exposed, the classism within the Black community would be on public display, an easy mark for journalists and politicians, threatening to uproot a different establishment - the subversion of Black potential. No more handouts but now calling people to earn their way. Beware those who shout Hossana! Hossana! Once they find out what Barack is up to, they will surely cry out for his crucifixion.
Already the community is divided. Some trust him and some don’t. Everybody has their “legitimate” reasons for feeling the way they do. The fact of the matter is that barack’s success will depend on who he surrounds himself with. What worries me is that, especially in todays age, their is always a weakest link.
Always a Judas in the bunch
I can’t help but think about the assassination of Malcolm X and the evidence that has yet to be fully investigated to conclusion, bringing to like the entire context of his demise, when I think of Obama. Why?
There is always someone in the group willing to sell out for a few pieces of silver, whose motivations are self centered and limited in scope rather than community focused and taking the long view. The dangerous one’s, the Judases - always seem to find their way inside (or perhaps the powers and principalities are ust that effective at turning otherwise well intentioned souls into betrayers of themselves and their community). Whatever the case, it is a real concern that, should Obama successfully attain the position he aims for, he is a young mark, without the coat of armor necessary to shield him from the arrows of his enemies.
Begs the question as to whether Obama is a man of God. To some, this is a serious question with serious implications, not only for the man but for the future of the community at large as well.
If I may digress a bit. In a society which still defines by race and among communities still defining themselves by race, what then is the man or woman who sees him or herself as a human being first. In other words, when the time for change presents itself, who is ready to embrace the next step in our social, spiritual and economin evolution. The old guard will undoubtedly make its bid to convince the masses that tehy are still needed - that tried and true ways must endure rather than evolve. I think they are only afraid of losing the false sense of status and power that they see themselves as having accumulated and earned at the expense of those who have invested their trust and power in, in order to make a change for the better. But what better has come?
Barack on Iraq
It is unfortunate that the same rationale that condemned anybody questioning what happened regarding 9/11, also taints the freedom of speech and freedom of investigation of anyone speaking out against the war in Iraq. A war which was declared over years ago continues to cost lives. One side will argue that in order to win this thing we need to stay the course. I thought wars were only declared over once there was victory or defeat. What is raging now in Iraq has come to be named as a sectarian civil war among Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites. If this is the case then the American presence within this environment is questionable. One has to question what the unstated agenda is. What is worth the lives of those who should not be invested in the skirmishes within the region? Who are we supporting and why? Who are we against and why? Simple answers belie more serious consequences. We need to ask those questions, but more importantly, we need the real answers. Wasted lives, as Barack was condemned for saying, had nothing to do with denigrating American soldiers but rather criticizing the reasons behind putting their lives at risk. Are these soldiers fighting for American interests, private interests, or global interests. If it is about the stabilization of the region, isn’t that an international concern fit for a UN force, rather than an American involvement?
Holding this man up in prayer, realizing the hurdles he must overcome, bespeaks the hope that many invest in a man of capability. But what are his true motivations and intentions? These are the questions that should serve to unite rather than divide. Yet as varied as the trivial concerns are of the masses, so too are the prejudices against any symbol of change. Everyone wants the best man on THEIR side. But what if THEIR side isn’t the RIGHT side. Is the question a matter of self interest, or truth? How many would be willing to sacrifice their position after having invested so much time and effort in building, maintaining and promoting it if they suddenly find themselves on the wrong side of right? How many would damn the truth and pursue their own ways regardless?
Who shall lead them, for they will not lead themselves or let themselves be led. In the old testament the people of Israel asked for a king when they had God Almighty. They begged and pleaded, bitched and moaned for a king because “everybody else had one.” In trying to keep up with the Joneses, they betrayed their protector, their provider and their sustainer. They chose imperfection over perfection.
Shall Obama be the next Messiah, or one of many who choose to stand in their own integrity, free of the sanctions of the world they live in and challenging the minds of his contemporaries with a vision of integrity, honor and truth.
Operation COINTELPRO by Hoover was supposed to cut off such roots before they could sprout. The now defunct program has certainly evolved into more diabolical if less obvious policies. Perhaps figuring that a few leaders with an impotent following would be less troublesome than a few leaders with an inspired following is a better scenario, the black community at large has seemingly become more illiterate, less conscious, and drugged with a plethora of vices and addictions.
Who will lead THIS people to the promised land. A better question would be - who wants to go to the so-called promised land. Too many have already sold out for the crumbs that they have - a bunch of cheap jewelry set in cheap dreams. What can you give such a people? Nothing at all.
I’ve heard people debate whether or not it is realistic that a freshman senator with little or no experience on Capitol Hill can have a real shot at the presidency. To forecast success based on opinions of practicality seems a task best left to professional debaters. What matters more is the vision and leadership the candidate brings to the fore. Too often in history have great teams been thwarted by reluctant egos and recalcitrant powers. A maverick comes along who doesn’t buy into the defeatus attitudes of what can’t be done and sees only his vision of what is possible. His enthusiasm, commitment and charisma win over the team and together they achieve victory which was within their reach all along, but denied for the pessimism and traditions of an establishment rotting in old ideas.
I have heard some say that the Democrats are simply the reverse side of the same coin and that nothing will really change as far as politics goes, and that this time around it is up to the Democrats to bring the disenchanted back into the fold, to reignite hope and belief in the political system as it exists. They are preying on people’s frustration, but are simply playing the game of good cop, bad cop to achieve the same ends.
Do the candidates seek power or a better world, influence or justice, political clout or the best interests of humanity. We need a coach to guide us through the ills of society, show us the light at the end of the tunnel, and make us believe it is within our reach. Is Obama this person? Even if he falls short of being a messiah, he still stands head and shoulders above practically every other candidate in the running. He is, no matter how anyone’s agenda influences opinion, a beacon everyone looks up to and not down at.
Announcement of Candidacy
