HOW IT MUST FEEL!

Props to Kevin Foster

This is one of the most telling images of what it must feel like to be Barack Obama when all the cameras are shut down, the lights go out, and the mics are turned off. When he seemingly has all the world around him, but yet feels utterly alone. This image shows that Barack Obama is still a man. And like every man, he has REAL emotions and REAL feelings. That like all of us, he grows tired; he grows frustrated; he grows weary. But the thing that makes him special, but ironically most like all of us, is that he keeps fighting!!

Sen. Obama has had to deal with challenges that we can only experience in our worst dreams. He has undertaken attacks on his personal safety, his family, his beliefs, his character, and his life. This race does (and should) represent more than just a Black man that is running for the White House. It represents the progression of a country that has a tarnished history of racial inequality and moral injustice. WE have an opportunity to move in a new direction, and re-write our nations narrative by historically voting for what we know is RIGHT! Not because Barack Obama is Black, but because he represents the "REAL American Dream". He represents the struggles of so many. He represents all of US!Please understand I do not say these things in a racial sense, but with a sense of fairness and obligation. An obligation that all of us (should) feel as members of the (Human Race) to vote our conscience and not our emotions on Nov. 4th. As the image shows, Barack Obama has faced challenges of enormous proportion that have never faced a presidential candidate or any presidential campaign.

But these personal smears, threats, attacks, lies, distorted facts, and half -trues are based in an hot "undercurrent of hatred and fear" from the "sea of prejudice". These are the same fears and hatred that TRIED to keep four Black students from attending Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. These are same feelings that TRIED to deny the right to vote to women and minorities. These are the same feelings that TRIED to dominate the "solid south" for nearly half a century during the Jim Crow era; the likes of which still linger even today. These efforts did not work then, AND THEY WILL NOT WORK NOW!It is a lonely, angering feeling to be viewed as a second class citizen regardless of your worth or character. Those lonely times that many of us have either spent fighting or facing injustices during the course of our lives will not be vindicated by the election of our nation's first Black President. The systemic and intentional discrimination of minorities, immigrants, and women will not magically disappear as of November 5th.

The hardships that many of us still face will not change because the candidate we are pulling for won. However, for a one moment in time, a historical moment, we have a opportunity to "turn the page". To take a step in the RIGHT direction by doing all we can to elect a man that clearly has the best interest of this nation's people at heart. It has been nearly fifty years since we have seen a presidential candidate that has faced anywhere near this type of viral and unfounded hatred. That same candidate ,(JFK) not only went on to be President, but he set the path for groundbreaking legislation that forever changed the composition of our nation. He also made a bold prediction; a prediction 'that within fifty years we would hopefully see our first President of Color'. He said these words and enacted these policies with the hope of bringing real CHANGE to this country. A CHANGE that was so sorely needed to make the lives of ALL US citizens better. He pushed for these changes without fear of reprisal or personal safety. We Must have that same spirit and strength of character to fight for the CHANGE we need now!

There have been many people that have fought for CHANGE in our country. Many of them at great cost to themselves or even their lives. But their efforts tell the story of our nations journey of tribulations and triumphs. At the site of one of our nations most bloody military conflicts, Abraham Lincoln delivered the historic "Gettysburg Address". His final words on that day have served as the guiding principle for American Democracy which continues to narrate the struggles that have been overcome to make our country better.... -- "that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

These prophetic words transcend race, or culture, or socioeconomic level. There have been many people that have given their lives in the struggle for freedom. A struggle that includes, civil rights, universal suffrage, religious persecution, and our national defense. That government "of the people, for the people, and by the people, shall not perish.." but to this end, it must be lead with "REAL"leadership that is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people.

So as I look at Barack Obama's face, I see that struggle. I see that fight. I see that "new birth of freedom" that Lincoln spoke of. So "the reason" I raise my voice and my vote for Sen. Obama, is not 'merely' because he is Black and I am a African American; but because he represents that guiding principle. He is truly of the people! He is the American Dream.

He is: A baby that was born from a mother in the mid-west and a immigrant from Kenya. A child who grew up in a single parent household and never saw his father but twice in his life. A family that was on welfare, and struggled to survive. A young boy that was raised primarily by his grandmother, in a place that did not accept him. A young student who worked hard to get a scholarship to attend our nations finest schools. A young man that after attending those schools chose to go and work for the people in one of the poorest communities in one of the nations largest cities. A lawyer of character that decided to give his talent back to that same community after attending our nations most prestigious law school. And a statesmen that whether in the Illinois legislator, or in the United States Congress has continued to fight for the community!

Except now the community he represents is the People of the United States. He represents all of us! Our Hopes....our Dreams....our Future.The face of Barack Obama represents the Hope of not only our nation, but the Hope of the World. The Hope that we can ALL be better than our past, in order to be stronger in the present, that we may fight for a better future. So let this image of a man that is both: Black and White, International and Patriotic, Poor then Rich, Lost then Saved, Confused now Driven, Humble yet Ambitious, Tired but Determined; be the face of "Change" that we all need and so badly want. Take this image with you in your hearts as you go into the voting booth on November 4th; and as you leave, let the dream of a better world guide our image of what November 5th will be.