Race & the Elections: Standing on the Shoulders of our Predecessors

I am college educated, live in a good neighborhood and yes, send my children to private schools.  I also come from two parents who immigrated to the US, both had two jobs to make ends meet and yet somehow managed to raise a family and keep their marriage together.  I stand on their shoulders.  I try not to forget the history of where I came from - of why my family immigrated ( the lack of jobs and opportunity) and why they have succeeded (working real hard and taking any job that paid the bills, e.g working in a factory and shoveling concrete.)

Today Barack Obama's speech on racism and our country's history was exactly what our country needed to hear from someone who gets it and has lived it.  Barack thoughtfully layed out how the both public policies have impacted both the black and white communities and that it all has combined to create this chasm we have today.

He said quite a few things that resonated with me this morning, but what stood out for me was the clarity of Barack's conviction, his values and his integrity.  He simply did not put his pastor out to hang for his comments, but stood by him for the man that Barack knew well, for his pastor's accomplishments and contributions.  Barack layed out the greater context within which these comments were made and could make sense.  I respect that. 

He said eloquently in his speech:

"And this helps explain, perhaps, my relationship with Reverend Wright. As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me.  He strengthened my faith, officiated my wedding, and baptized my children.  Not once in my conversations with him have I heard him talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms, or treat whites with whom he interacted with anything but courtesy and respect.  He contains within him the contradictions – the good and the bad – of the community that he has served diligently for so many years.

I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community.  I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother – a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe.

These people are a part of me.  And they are a part of America, this country that I love."

I, for one, appreciate that Barack's beliefs are steeped in an understanding of where our country has come and where it can go.  He is not so naive to think that we should just sweep this and other issues under the rug, but he is willing to take it head on.  It is steeped in the belief that we ALL have a role in making this better.  This gives me real hope and inspires me to come to the table and participate in the discussion in ways I wouldn't have before.

My husband and I volunteer at our children's school and church, ran a non profit, donate when we can and speak out when we see injustices.  We are not perfect.  Our children will stand on our shoulders.  I am clear that they will also be standing on Barack Obama's shoulders and the legacy we all leave behind if we as a nation choose to address these complex issues ( e.g. education, employment, healthcare) head on.

For me, Barack said it all - now let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.

-orignally posted at Momocrats. 

Comments

[Gunfighter]

Well said.