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A chance to make a difference
It has been very interesting watching the presidential race over the past two plus years. History is going to be made, regardless of who wins the election, and the entire world is watching. There have been a couple of things that I have especially been drawn to in this election. The first is the historic nomination of Barack Obama for President and what it means to America.
I don’t think the American people really understand the true significance of this change for the rest of the world. The United States of America is the greatest nation on earth, bar none, and people around the world would love to be Americans, but we are seen as boorish, disrespectful, overbearing, nation builders. That is the world view. Why does this differ from the view that many Americans have of themselves?
One reason may be because of the perspective that we have. If you look at the electoral map of our country, one can see that the coasts are mostly blue and what some might call liberal, while the center of the country is more red and conservative. There are some explanations for this. The coasts serve as entry and exit points to our country and where commerce and major global business is conducted. It is where worldwide companies send their representatives to expand their business into our marketplace. These are the tentacles of global economy that reach into our society. The middle of the country, while not static, is less dynamic in its views don’t have quite the exposure or interest in the global conversation. An amazing fact that may explain a lot of it is that almost 70% of all Americans have never moved more than thirty miles from where they were born. That explains a lot in terms of the children that are raised in North Platte, Nebraska and the kids that are raised here in the Metro Washington DC area. One set of people view the world through a pinhole, and the others through a wide spectrum. There is a huge difference in perspective of what is important, real or perceived.
The potential election of Barack Obama is seen as a positive sign of progress around the world and it would be good for the world community. It would also demonstrate that the American Dream of fulfilling your potential is not a myth. This is an important lesson for all of our children, not just African American children, but all AMERICAN children.
The second thing that has really struck me is how fractured we can be. There is constant polling of what various factions think. The information is researched and debated over and over again and in the end, it is just a wild calculated guess. Our diversity should be celebrated and embraced. It makes us stronger as a nation and as a people. I have heard many references to the “real or true Americans”. We talk about majorities and minorities, but the fact is we are all AMERICANS.
As an African American, I am certainly proud of what Senator Obama has done to try to unify this nation. Truth be told, I never thought that I would see this in my lifetime, in spite of the great progress that has been made. His message of unity is not something that became a part of the campaign stump, it is something that was ingrained into him as a child, a life that he has lived, and is a part of who he is. Someone that is willing to give back to the country that he loves so much. I have the greatest respect for Senator McCain for his life of service, but we need someone that will inspire our young people and bridge the gap. What is amazing to me are the people that criticize a self made man. A kid that is able to get into Columbia, Harvard Law School, and become a young Senator is an accomplishment of greatness to be congratulated and celebrated. Elitist, please!!! Bringing hundreds of thousands of people to hear and buy into your message of hope is not the message of a rock star, but the delivery of a message from a leader. The message is clear and concise. Our nation is begging for such leadership.
I am out in the community a lot and I speak to lots of people with different views,. No one has a monopoly on all of the good ideas. That is reason that whoever wins this election, has to bring the best and the brightest minds together to lead our nation and we all have a part to play. The call to service must be answered because our nation is in need of a boost of confidence and a Yes We Can attitude. We need to treat each other with dignity and respect and It starts with each one of us.
There is always someone that is going to try to take advantage of the system, but let’s give people the benefit of the doubt. I look at how people treat others that may not have grown up in “your neighborhood”. People that come to the United States don’t come here for a handout, they come here for a better life, they come to work so that they can feed their families, they come to live the American dream. Sometimes we are divided by language and culture, but that will never change if we don’t sit down at the same table and have a frank and open discussion about what we can do to make it better. There is no excuse for ignorance and only education and dialogue is going to make us stronger.
Making the world a better place can start with each one of us, but it will take a change in attitude. What can you do as we enter into our holiday season, a season of thanks, and celebrations of the highest feast days of a number of religions?
Visit a senior center and volunteer to read to a senior citizen.
Volunteer at a shelter or food kitchen
Participate in a food drive
Invite a less fortunate family to dinner
Take a class at a community college
It is to be admired to want to be the best that you can, and it is not limited the status quo. It is open to ALL AMERICANS!!!! Colin Powell last week asked the same question that a lot of Americans wanted to ask, so what if Barack Obama was a Muslim? I would have had the same problem if someone had questioned the candidacy of Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon. We need to stop the madness and look out for each other.
I have just returned from a fantastic weekend with a bunch of guys that get together once a year to play pick up baseball. We raise monies for charities, our common bond, but we each have our issues. We come from different backgrounds, races, and religions, but we live together for 3 days and we talk, eat, drink, and laugh together. On the last night, we have a banquet to recognize the contributions of many of the players. It is very special that a guy is named the MVP of his team. It is not by accident that it is on the anniversary of the death of his youngest son. A newly named Hall of Famer and overall MVP is special because he recently lost his wife of 45 years. This morning, these guys feel much better about themselves because they know that someone cares. WE CARE!!! We are only together 3 days per year, but the bond and the support system is always there.
Let’s start today to unite and stop division. It is the little things that make a difference. Touch someone’s life today in a positive way. Start with two small gestures and we can grow from there. First of all, let’s speak to each other, say hello or good morning, and do it with a smile. Trust me, it works, and it breaks barriers. Secondly, when that stranger holds open a door for you, or picks up that piece of paper, or your keys that you dropped, say thank you. It is a big deal!!!!
Start making a difference today. Change the attitude. It starts with you. Finally, don’t forget to participate and vote on November 4th. It is great to be an American!!!
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