Note: Originally posted to the blog "A POSITIVE LIGHT: Discovering the Good within the Black Diaspora" (http://apositivelight.blogspot.com/).
On Monday, August 26th, I watched live as a black woman lay the groundwork for the election of the first black American president.
This is no ordinary black woman. It is Michelle Obama, wife of Illinois Senator Barack Obama. And the speech that she delivered on the opening night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado will go down in history as one of the all-time best.
Through her words, Michelle told a packed house, as well as a viewing audience, why her husband is better equipped to lead this country for the next 4-8 years. She didn't spend much time talking about his advocacy efforts on the streets of Chicago. She didn't spend much time talking about his opposition to the Iraqi War. She didn't even spend much time talking about the level of respect that he garners when traveling across the country and around the world. She kept it real, talking about his greatness as a husband and father.
I'm not going to lie. I found myself repeatedly wiping at the tears welling up in my left eye. I could feel the love that she felt for this man, Barack Obama. It flowed through her pores to evaporate like sweat does after a strenuous workout. And when her two daughters came out to congratulate her, I, like countless others, said, "They're so cute." But more than anything, I saw a family that was doing its part to dispel the stereotypes associated with being black in America.
I know there are a number of white Americans who have fears about seeing a black man in the White House. Who can blame them for harboring these fears? Through the years, racist attitudes and beliefs have shaped our perceptions of one another. And these negative perceptions persist because we have given into them rather than allow our characters to gain prominence, the attention they deserve.
Michelle Obama's character gained prominence because she saw the importance of being transparent. She stepped out on that stage knowing that she had to speak from the heart, let her life be an open book to those who love her and those who hate her. I pity the fools who continue to hate her. If anything, these haters should learn to love her for the sake of maintaining the bond of peace.
We Americans have not been able to maintain this bond because we don't understand how interconnected we are. It could even be said that we take our existence together for granted. We would rather be talking to each other from opposite sides of the fence, polarize ourselves over petty differences. But Michelle Obama's speech gave me hope for the future because she made a first attempt in directing us Americans to common ground.
The Obamas are taking America down a road that will undoubtedly lead to its redemption if Barack Obama is officially nominated and elected to the highest office in the land.
He's got my vote.
I hope he has yours.
Copyright 2008 Jeffery A. Faulkerson. All rights reserved.
Posted By: J. A. Faulkerson
Tuesday, August 26th 2008 at 2:53PM
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