Everyone in America had a different experience this November fourth. For a hopeful majority, that experience was connected by a triumphant thread of hope. For many of us the climax of the day was an amazing catharsis and as the press has been so fond of pointing out, a crushing referendum on the Bush administration. For an unfortunate few the day ended with a fear inspiring tangle. A black man became the 44th President of the United States of America.
In my opinion, the day is best seen through the lens of the change motivated prior to that magnificent moment when Barack Obama became the President-Elect of the most powerful nation in the world. Everyone saw things through the tint of their own experiences.
Many people, some for the first time decided to be the change that they wanted to see. They decided to to vote for the candidate of their choice. He asked for more. They reached into their pockets and dug as deeply as they could. Still, he had the audacity to ask for more. So we spoke to our kids and parents. We knocked on doors and called complete strangers (many who weren't too pleased). The man to whom we were pinning our hopes sent us an email thanking us sincerely – and then asked for even more. What more could he want from us? We dug deeper and we walked farther.
You could see the change in the group of volunteers that flew to Columbus, Ohio from London, England – yes, from England, to walk door to door on a brisk November morning to get out the vote. You could see it in the young woman who tried and failed to get a leave of absence from her job to come help – so took her own vacation to stand outside a voting precinct to encourage people to stay in line (which thankfully didn't materialize) and exercise their right to vote. How about the estimated 12.7 million first time voters who made such a huge contribution to the outcome of the election?
The real promise brought to the country in the last two years isn't simply in the rise and November triumph of a candidate of change. It's in the change he's motivated in all of us. Over the last two years, we've seen the absolute best that humanity has to offer. People have, in too many ways to list, sacrificed. They've done it for their family and friends. They've done it for themselves. They've done it for their children. We all had our reasons, but what we've done we done for us all. People united to change the world and there aren't many greater sacrifices to make than giving of yourself for the good of all.
So the votes have been counted, and history has been made. It's all over and we've won. Except, people are suffering in our country in numbers we haven't seen since the great depression. Our friends and our neighbors, some of us are on the brink of being turned out of our homes. Our sons and daughters are embroiled in what the voting majority have decided is an unjust war. The USA has fallen from is place as a beacon of stability and esteem in the eyes of the of the world. That's a lot of pressure on the President-Elect. History has shown that it's tough enough to be the first black, well – anything.
So – believe it or not, Barack Obama is sure to come calling again. And again. And again. We'll be called upon time and again throughout his turn across the worlds stage to support the ideals we've embraced. We'll need to remain engaged and embrace civic engagement and service to our fellowman. It falls on us to rise above our differences and prejudices and follow our fresh-faced leader into a new era. We've heard it a hundred ways a thousand times, faith without works is dead. It's time to go to work.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Talented Tenth
As often as the phrase "The Talented Tenth" is bantered to and fro about the social discourse regarding black people in America, it's odd how few people have heard about it or really understand what it's all about.
In 1903, W.E.B. Dubois penned the essay of that title. It serves as a brief history of the education, as it was, of the American Negro. I suppose today it would be more politically correct to use the label African American, even though I question if Dubois would have maligned the use of it for it's inherent flaws, at least until he became a citizen of Ghana. Even then I suppose he might have more appropriately described himself even then as an American African. Or perhaps not. In my reading of a great deal of his writing, I found him to be a most pragmatic and practical thinker.
The intent of the paper was to, outside of chronicling the inefficiencies of the system of the day, was to present a strategy, slow and calculated, for the elevation of the race. The cornerstone of this strategy was and continues to be access to proper education, which continues to be an issue for members of many cultures. His assertion, at least by my approximation, was the the talented, or educated tenth of Negroes at that time that had attained, after no small amount of struggle, entry into the middle class either by formal education, or self education pair with natural inclination and talent, lead the way to providing this education.
This concept is predicated on the hope that this tenth has, a) the ability and b) the desire to accept, the responsibility of taking hold of the collective consciousness in an attempt to elevate it.
As time progressed, other scholars such as Dr. Cornell West and Henry Louis Gates and others more familiar and perhaps more media savvy and less scholarly such as Tavis Smiley, have over much consideration and time, further defined and expounded on the responsibility of which this "tenth" might accept.
It still hinges on education, but has grown to include the support of financial responsibility as well as the development of the entrepreneurial spirit. It also, as always places heavy emphasis on the enrichment of "The soul (or spirit) of black folk", whether by means of the church or by other means. Other means such as limiting and finding a counterbalance to all of the cultural junk food that we ingest.
I was having a conversation with my father to days ago and we discussed this concept of the tenth. At some point I had an epiphany of sorts. I thought that Barack Obama might personify that ideal. I didn't stop thinking that, I still do.
Gasp! You really didn't see that coming, did you?
When I look at the origins of the man and match that with the path of public service that he's chosen to pursue, seeking to organize and activate the community as opposed to simply seeking to use his talents to line his pockets as a high powered lawyer or or lobbyist. Imagine what a force that charisma would exert over a jury or a senate subcommittee.
For me, the key lies in his stated desire, his track record, of energizing and motivating the people, all of the people to lift up their communities and now the country. The blueprint he's laid out of how to get there speaks to me in easy to understand tones. There's nothing highbrow or inaccessible about it.
It includes the same thing leaders have always pointed to as the way - affordable, accessible education. A solid health care plan with ready access to those who need it. Today, these things are above the reach of such a large section of the population. The difference, and it's here where I believe that there is a difference to be seen, is that it's not a promise to give us those things. He wants to lead this talented tenth, whether it be a tenth or more, and all men by that token to reach these things and make them attainable for all.
How many more students would get to colleges and universities if it could all be attained without having to submerge themselves and their families into debt. Imagine an influx of young, hungry minds, freshly schooled flooding the ranks of the professional. New doctors, lawyers, engineers and scientists, all with fresh perspective and ideas, a melting pot of so many cultures, seeing things anew. All of these minds with different viewpoints and cultures with varying approaches to life could collaborate to ... well, change the world.
Then maybe there could be a shift and then we, we the people, could be the "talented tenth" of the world population. Maybe we could work to carry that responsibility forward into a new age.
In 1903, W.E.B. Dubois penned the essay of that title. It serves as a brief history of the education, as it was, of the American Negro. I suppose today it would be more politically correct to use the label African American, even though I question if Dubois would have maligned the use of it for it's inherent flaws, at least until he became a citizen of Ghana. Even then I suppose he might have more appropriately described himself even then as an American African. Or perhaps not. In my reading of a great deal of his writing, I found him to be a most pragmatic and practical thinker.
The intent of the paper was to, outside of chronicling the inefficiencies of the system of the day, was to present a strategy, slow and calculated, for the elevation of the race. The cornerstone of this strategy was and continues to be access to proper education, which continues to be an issue for members of many cultures. His assertion, at least by my approximation, was the the talented, or educated tenth of Negroes at that time that had attained, after no small amount of struggle, entry into the middle class either by formal education, or self education pair with natural inclination and talent, lead the way to providing this education.
This concept is predicated on the hope that this tenth has, a) the ability and b) the desire to accept, the responsibility of taking hold of the collective consciousness in an attempt to elevate it.
As time progressed, other scholars such as Dr. Cornell West and Henry Louis Gates and others more familiar and perhaps more media savvy and less scholarly such as Tavis Smiley, have over much consideration and time, further defined and expounded on the responsibility of which this "tenth" might accept.
It still hinges on education, but has grown to include the support of financial responsibility as well as the development of the entrepreneurial spirit. It also, as always places heavy emphasis on the enrichment of "The soul (or spirit) of black folk", whether by means of the church or by other means. Other means such as limiting and finding a counterbalance to all of the cultural junk food that we ingest.
I was having a conversation with my father to days ago and we discussed this concept of the tenth. At some point I had an epiphany of sorts. I thought that Barack Obama might personify that ideal. I didn't stop thinking that, I still do.
Gasp! You really didn't see that coming, did you?
When I look at the origins of the man and match that with the path of public service that he's chosen to pursue, seeking to organize and activate the community as opposed to simply seeking to use his talents to line his pockets as a high powered lawyer or or lobbyist. Imagine what a force that charisma would exert over a jury or a senate subcommittee.
For me, the key lies in his stated desire, his track record, of energizing and motivating the people, all of the people to lift up their communities and now the country. The blueprint he's laid out of how to get there speaks to me in easy to understand tones. There's nothing highbrow or inaccessible about it.
It includes the same thing leaders have always pointed to as the way - affordable, accessible education. A solid health care plan with ready access to those who need it. Today, these things are above the reach of such a large section of the population. The difference, and it's here where I believe that there is a difference to be seen, is that it's not a promise to give us those things. He wants to lead this talented tenth, whether it be a tenth or more, and all men by that token to reach these things and make them attainable for all.
How many more students would get to colleges and universities if it could all be attained without having to submerge themselves and their families into debt. Imagine an influx of young, hungry minds, freshly schooled flooding the ranks of the professional. New doctors, lawyers, engineers and scientists, all with fresh perspective and ideas, a melting pot of so many cultures, seeing things anew. All of these minds with different viewpoints and cultures with varying approaches to life could collaborate to ... well, change the world.
Then maybe there could be a shift and then we, we the people, could be the "talented tenth" of the world population. Maybe we could work to carry that responsibility forward into a new age.
"Men of America...", wrote Dubois, "...the problem is plain before you. If you
do not lift them up - they will pull you down. Education and work (to which I
add faith) are the levers to uplift a people. Education must not simply teach
work - it must teach life. The talented tenth... must be leaders of thought and
missionaries of culture..."
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Thurston Conrad Heaggans
Corporal Thurston Conrad Heaggans, casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army Selective Service, CPL Heaggans served our country until November 15th, 1970 in Kontum, South Vietnam. He was 20 years old and was not married. Thurston died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered. Thurston was born on August 10th, 1950 in Troutman, North Carolina.
I remember when I was a boy, my time in NC was marked by a lot of experiences. One of the things that always stood out to me the most was regarding my Aunt Oneva. She was so mean. Everyone thought she was mean. I hated to go there and when we'd visit, I dreaded the thought that we might have to stay there.
I never gave any consideration to what might have happened in her life to cause her to be as unpleasant as she could be. She never let us down and never set us back - she just wasn't as personable as the rest of my family. Thurston Heaggans was her only son. I now wonder what effect that had on her over the years.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Kids really do say the darndest things!
Yesterday, while watching the terrible demoralizing and depressing defeat of the Ohio State Buckeyes (which may well signal the downfall of the Big 10) at my friends house I heard something that was so insane that I could barely focus on the game anymore, which on second thought might have been a piece of mercy.
During the halftime channel flip, we saw a little bit of an awards show and "The Golden Compass" had been nominated. My friends step-daughter, who I believe is 11, looked at all of us with the most serious look I think she has and pronounced that no one should go see that movie because in the end, Adam and Eve kill Jesus.
After the sharp pain in my head subsided, and I pronounce that I'd just heard the most ridiculous thing I'd witnessed in 2 or three months, we talked briefly about it and her step-mother had given her this absolute pearl of information.
I read the "His Dark Materials" books and I can definitely discern how some might glean an anti religion message if they so chose. I can also say Jesus did not make an appearance. I also didn't recognize any Christlike characters in any fraction of of the Film or literature. There was no direct reference to God. If anything, I suppose that the story could be an indictment of Catholocism, but even that's a s t r e t c h. The author was an athiest and as with any art, his world view influenced his story.
I'm honestly a pretty big fan of God. I mean, he's done good work. I doubt he could be happy with the extremes that people go in his name. There's no portion of that movie that could be twisted into the Adam and Eve off Jesus viewpoint. That interpretation is impossible to come to.
So the Golden Compass is evil and Harry Potter is turning our kids into witches and Warlocks. If you truly want to avoid the evil influence of this world, you shouldn't pick and choose. There's magic in Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast and well - a lot of other Disney movies.
Why were there never any protest lines at those movie openings? Magic is magic and if it's that insidious, we should avoid it. While we're at it, we should avoid any film that refers to pre or extra marital sex, even the reference to it. Also any violence, even comic violence. We wouldn't want our kids to get all home alone on anyone.
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