The Democratic National Convention: Referendum on "The Dream" -- Day 1

Clark, I hear you on that one.

I agree with you. The distinction between legacy of deprivation an d that of privilege is a profound one. If racism went away, while we were sleeping tonight, would we be prepared for equality? It reminds me of a story a friend told mea bout he and his cronies hanging out in the sixties, talking about what it would be like if "our people' took over the country. They looked around the room and quickly realized that they didn't even know how to turn the water electricity on. The whole country would be dark and without water.

We must be way more aggressive in the education of our children and many adults. We have got to come into the 21st century and use computers for more than amusement. There is a vast world of information and opportunity that is available to us through technology.

We have to put our priorities in order. We don't have to lose our "blackness" to gain respect and our independence, but all races must realize our interdependence. Too long has the arrogance of racism and all the other "isms" deprived everyone of the genius that is within all people when they are allowed to develop fully. Our country is seeing the effects of brain drain. It is showing-up as our world ranking keeps dropping in productivity, health, infant mortality rate, etc. But, even if whites folks don’t wake-up, we must.

This is a "referendum on the dream" for a couple of reasons. The first is exactly what you have confirmed. We must not let the red herrings deceive us into acting like this issue needs to be addressed. Out of the other side of the mouths of the critics is a description of him as a celebrity, a rock star, an elitist, presumptiously presidential. So, this is a knife that cuts both ways if any attempt is made to respond. We must respond by getting him elected. The referendum must succeed.

The second reason this is a referendum on the dream" is more subtle. Oprah made a reference to the question from the Autobiography of Jane Pittman, "Is he the one?" When we look around at the significance of this presidential bid, we have to ask, "If not Barack, then who?" "If not now, then when?"

When I take a panoramic view around the Black political landscape, there isn't a close second candidate that would be "the next Black presidental candidate." We all know the story of success for African Americans. We don't get second chances. The only way for us to achieve any leverage is that we have to succeed the first time out of the box. So, those of us who support Obama must not leave a single vote behind in November. This referendum won't come back around again in my lifetime. I was there when Martin Luther King Jr. made the great breakthrough in the 60's. I was there when Malcolm challenged us to stand up for our humanity by any means necessary. When those two great leaders were removed from the scene, there was a void that has yet to be filled. Only "the dream" remained. And now, Barack Obama is the symbolic flfillment of the dream. His success will ignite new dreams for our children, and our grandchildren. His failure may relegate them to wait another 40, 50, or more years for the next opportunity. So, tereal work will begin when this convention is over. Failure is not an option.