Raise Your Hands Up!

Today is an exciting day here in the state of Massachusetts. Massachusetts along with 23 other states will vote or caucus for their favorite candidate. This race, which started after the last election, has been like a three ring circus at times. This race has created factions within the two parties that have divided races, genders, and even families. This race has caused people to step outside themselves either to be for or against a particular candidate.

Soon, the votes will be counted, the delegates will be distributed, and the nominees will be selected. Just remember one thing – only one person is going to pull that lever, fill that oval, or press that button. Your race, gender, family or party affiliations, position on the food chain, education, or financial situation are a few factors that will influence your decision. The media hype may also weigh heavily in your decision. I only ask that none of these factors be the ONLY factor in this process. Ultimately a careful assessment of a candidate’s position on the things that are important to you and your family is the best way to end up with the right person in the White House.

I think I can say with some level of confidence that the people of the United States would like to feed and cloth themselves and their loved ones, to have a safe place to live, work, and worship, and not pay an arm and a leg when seeking medical treatment, filling our gas tanks, heating our homes, or for that matter trying to keep our homes. With that said – the true essence of what is needed to accomplish these goals can not be measured by what the media says or whether you share the same race, gender, or religious affiliation of a candidate. No – it has to do with whether or not they have the intellect and drive to make it happen.

So with that said, I am asking everyone to get out and cast their ballot. Here are a few things to consider:

• For those of you that were born in America, make sure your vote is counted today.


• For those who have migrated to this country and have reaped the rewards of a better life for you and yours, I encourage you to take the step toward citizenship. It disturbs me that there are so many Black people from countries all over the world will arrive in the US, stay here for decades, exploit the system, benefit from it, and then scoff at the notion of being fully engaged in the process that is reserved for our citizens. Bring the success of your journey full circle for your children and ALL your brown and black brothers and sisters.


• For all of you, who think they can not vote because you are a convicted felon, understand this – not all felonies are alike! What does that mean? You can petition your state and federal governments to reinstate your right to vote. Take the time, find out the steps and put them into ACTION!!
  

I know this is running long, but I will make these last sections as precise as I can. I have already voted today. I cast my vote for Barack Obama. Why? I have been a long time follower of Senator Obama – he is a legal genius who went to Harvard Law School. He has been on the grind for the people of Illinois for a long time – years before John Kerry made the decision to choose him to speak at the Democratic National Convention. He the delivered THE speech – the very one that brought him national attention. That made me curious, so I did some more research. At the time he was running for Senator. The political machine understood the magnitude of Obama’s greatness. So much so that they IMPORTED a Black Republican candidate from Maryland to run against him! He overcame that barrier and went on to win. All of these events and his books (Dreams of My Father and The Audacity of Hope) reaffirmed the seemingly boundless amount of optimism that he bought to the table.

In 2005, I received an impromptu invitation to see Senator Obama at Boston College. The freshman class was required to read Dreams of My Father before the semester started. The assignment culminated with the mandatory attendance of each and every freshman in the school’s gymnasium. I was fortunate enough to be a part of small group of invited guests. I brought my cousin and her friend who were going to graduate from high school the following year. I thought it was important to have as many young people as possible witness his greatness. He did not let me down.

Although this speech was not as fiery as the one delivered at the DNC, it was impactful and got to the core of his future campaign. He told the incoming class that it was their responsibility to contribute to the greater good. That message has not changed. One of the freshmen got up and asked Obama when he planned on announcing his presidential candidacy. At that point, he had no comment, but I couldn't help but think, as that whole room rose to its feet and cheered for him, that this dream was about to be rooted in reality. This is the reality that I hope that we all will be able to experience….together.

With that I wish you all the best today and always.

G