A Bold New World...In Our Lifetime

I can't recall a time in my life when I screamed, danced and rejoiced so uncontrollably. Words? What words? I had none. I liken the experience to the speaking in tongues tradition of the Pentecostal church. I am still baffled by the enormity of that great American evening at 11pm, Tuesday, November 4, 2008. I'd like to think it was my ancestors, the sheroes and heroes like Fannie Lou Hamer, Medger Evers, Shirley Chisolm, Dr. & Mrs. King, Emmitt Till and countless others using my vessel to emit their approval and praise. My first coherent thought was to call my eighty one year old grandmother, who like my grandfather and mother was an activist. Again, I had no words and neither did she, but, I could feel and hear her jubilation through the phone: "Can you believe it, grandma? Can you believe it, in our lifetime?"

I don't think I can ever fully describe the dynamics of what the election of Barack "Who is Sane" Obama means. This had, much like his campaign and his supporters, a multifaceted impact. Exactly ten years ago, I was blessed to make a bit of history myself, as, the first African American Ringmaster, in what was then, the 129 year history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, The Greatest Show On Earth. There's an unspoken truth about being the first. You carry the burden of the hopes of all who look like you; a burden the previous forty three Presidents never ever had to ponder. You are the great social experiment; and in the hushed corners of our consciousness, we all know that the destiny of all who look like you and wish to follow suit, hinges on your ability to perform. There would have never been a Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson or Barry Bonds had there been no Jackie Robinson. There in lies, yet another fascinating layer to this monumental moment in our lifetime, the prospect of a broader, more dynamic and diverse playing field. Indeed, this is among our nation's greatest and finest hours; be you Black or White, Jewish or Muslim, Democrat or Republican, Gay or Straight, able bodied or disabled and everything in between, as of November 4, 2008, we are officially, one people.

Americans did not merely elect our next President, we empowered ourselves to reject the poisonous doctrine of indifference and prejudice, which has driven a wedge between We The People, for far too long. Be it the demonization of Muslims and Arabs; or the bastardization of Hispanic immigrants. Nothing so clearly demonstrated this as did the vital Hispanic vote which went overwhelmingly in favor of President-Elect, Barack Obama. After nearly a decade of being criminalized by segments of the GOP and the Neo-Conservative press, it became quite evident, when states like Florida and Nevada, traditional Republican strongholds made a radical shift toward Democratic blue, that the good Hispanic citizens of this nation decided that the value of their support and their vote would be better served elsewhere.

To witness the whole world, in its many tongues and cultures, celebrating this moment with us, was riveting. From Kenya to Japan, from Peruvian Shamans to a group of Antarticans braving 20 below 0 degree weather to offer their praise; the message is resoundingly clear, this was not just a moment for African-Americans, this was not just a moment for our country, this, was and is a moment of grace in which the whole world has a stake. Like an insatiable longing finally realized, America has matured to understanding the necessity of electing global minded leadership, let the world say, Amen! Barack Obama's ascension officially ends the politics of isolationism, let the world say, Amen! Barack Obama's ascension finally obliterates our limits. Imagine telling your children they can be anything they so desire, and actually believing it? “Glory, Hallelujah!” At this hour, "America, America, God shed his grace on thee." Let us seize it and intergrate our beloved nation into a brave, beautiful and prosperous new world.

copyright JLI 2008