Hyphenated Thought: Obama: What does it mean?

As I sit back on this Inauguration day blasting Young Jeezy’s “My President is Black” obnoxiously, I can’t help but be proud to not only be an American, but an African American who has survived to witness the ever elusive and long sought after dream of the first African American President. The eerie coincidence of this event falling on the day after Martin Luther King Jr. day adds to the volume this presidency holds....

However, on this day, as I can’t help but be proud, my satisfaction level is equivalent to that of years prior.

On one hand I find myself optimistic of what an Obama presidency, or non-Bush for that matter, will accomplish. However, the cruel voice of reason has forced me to see that, though we have made a major stride this election, our problems are far from gone. Unfortunately, we are a nation of humans, and the human condition is one of great complexity which cannot be easily changed overnight by the casting of ballots.

Our nation, the world, has a lot of growing up to do, and it will take a while before the dream of a just world will be, if ever, manifested.

However, if there is one thing the past year has shown us it’s that when backed against the wall, the dormant will arise and band together for change. Looking forward, I can only hope, pray if you will, that we can continue to come together as one and “awake” from this state of misinformation and laziness that we love so. So what does an Obama presidency mean? Who knows....



Peace.Love.H-Life

-J. Poakwa The Writer