Sunday, November 16, 2008
Just a Thought...
"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Peace and blessings,
One of the things that convinced me that Obama was hands-down the best candidate, was his response to the following question asked to himself, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards during a debate:
"If Dr. Martin Luther King were alive today...why should he endorse you?"
Unlike the answers of Clinton and Edwards (although I found nothing wrong with their responses), Obama responded with the following:
"I don't think Dr. King would endorse any of us. I think what he would call upon the American people to do is to hold us accountable..."
As I have had time to reflect on Obama's election and the meaning it has for a country that has its roots in fear, greed, and division, I couldn't help thinking about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In particular, I have been thinking about thelast speech he gave on April 3rd, 1968, the day before he was assassinated. One of the reasons why this speech is my favorite of all of his speeches (although the one on Vietnam and economics is a close second) is because of its prophetic element. He's speaking as if he knew that his days on this earth were coming to an end. However, in light of the election, and the fact that Obama's inauguration is on MLK's birthday (Jan. 20th), I'm beginning to think that his speech may have been prophetic in another sense. What if his assertion that God brought him the mountain top and that although he may not be around to see it, that we as a people would get to the "promised land," was foreshadowing the day when America would elect the first Black president? What if in the vision that God showed him, he "saw" that in the future there would be a black president? What if he saw this specific time period during his vision? Just the possibility alone is crazy...
What do you think? Do you think MLK knew there would one day be a black president? Did you think there would be a black president in your lifetime? Take care, God bless, and speekonit...
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Peace and blessings,
One of the things that convinced me that Obama was hands-down the best candidate, was his response to the following question asked to himself, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards during a debate:
"If Dr. Martin Luther King were alive today...why should he endorse you?"
Unlike the answers of Clinton and Edwards (although I found nothing wrong with their responses), Obama responded with the following:
"I don't think Dr. King would endorse any of us. I think what he would call upon the American people to do is to hold us accountable..."
As I have had time to reflect on Obama's election and the meaning it has for a country that has its roots in fear, greed, and division, I couldn't help thinking about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In particular, I have been thinking about the
What do you think? Do you think MLK knew there would one day be a black president? Did you think there would be a black president in your lifetime? Take care, God bless, and speekonit...
Labels: MLK, Obama, President, prophecy
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
A New Day
Peace and blessings,
As someone who tends to be very cynical when it comes to political process on a national level, I have to say that yesterday was a breath of fresh air. My friends and I were talking about how we did not think that an African American would be elected president in our lifetime, let alone this soon in our lives. For those who yesterday was the first time they were legally able to vote (and actually voted), they are beginning their life as voters with a different framework than my peers and those who came before us. My first real exposure to the national political process was in 2000, and my first time being able to legally vote was in 2004. So up until last night, my framework was pretty cynical. Not to say that "everything's cool now" because Barack Obama is the president, because he, like any human being in such a difficult position, is going to struggle and make mistakes. It's a part of life. However, it seemed like last night, the majority of Americans voted on the basis of principles as opposed to preferences; for the ideal of unity and personal accountability as opposed to maintaining division and playing the blame game.
Now that Americans have made a statement with their ballots, I've been constantly asking myself the question, "What next? Where do we go from here? After the fact that history has been made (by the way, never in my life did I wish for MLK to still be alive than last night) has sunk into our thoughts and we fully acknowledge it's significance, what are we going to do next? What personal commitments are we going to make to ensure that we respect, love, and are accountable to one another? Are we going to continually work to inspire others to be the best of themselves, while striving to do so within ourselves? I'm not saying that Barack Obama's election represents all of these things, because he's only one man. With that said, his election does show that moral direction, principles, and character do indeed carry much weight when it comes to changing the status quo. We were able to set aside certain differences and feelings in the interest of choosing a common direction. The real test has to do with the extent to which we can do so in our everyday interactions with one another. Barack's overwhelming belief in the "core decency of the American people" suggests that we can. Not only do I agree, but I also believe that our fate as a people depends on it.
What do you think? What do you think this election means/symbolizes for: 1) the country? 2) The world? 3) The everyday person? 4) You personally?
Take care, stay blessed, and speekonit...
As someone who tends to be very cynical when it comes to political process on a national level, I have to say that yesterday was a breath of fresh air. My friends and I were talking about how we did not think that an African American would be elected president in our lifetime, let alone this soon in our lives. For those who yesterday was the first time they were legally able to vote (and actually voted), they are beginning their life as voters with a different framework than my peers and those who came before us. My first real exposure to the national political process was in 2000, and my first time being able to legally vote was in 2004. So up until last night, my framework was pretty cynical. Not to say that "everything's cool now" because Barack Obama is the president, because he, like any human being in such a difficult position, is going to struggle and make mistakes. It's a part of life. However, it seemed like last night, the majority of Americans voted on the basis of principles as opposed to preferences; for the ideal of unity and personal accountability as opposed to maintaining division and playing the blame game.
Now that Americans have made a statement with their ballots, I've been constantly asking myself the question, "What next? Where do we go from here? After the fact that history has been made (by the way, never in my life did I wish for MLK to still be alive than last night) has sunk into our thoughts and we fully acknowledge it's significance, what are we going to do next? What personal commitments are we going to make to ensure that we respect, love, and are accountable to one another? Are we going to continually work to inspire others to be the best of themselves, while striving to do so within ourselves? I'm not saying that Barack Obama's election represents all of these things, because he's only one man. With that said, his election does show that moral direction, principles, and character do indeed carry much weight when it comes to changing the status quo. We were able to set aside certain differences and feelings in the interest of choosing a common direction. The real test has to do with the extent to which we can do so in our everyday interactions with one another. Barack's overwhelming belief in the "core decency of the American people" suggests that we can. Not only do I agree, but I also believe that our fate as a people depends on it.
What do you think? What do you think this election means/symbolizes for: 1) the country? 2) The world? 3) The everyday person? 4) You personally?
Take care, stay blessed, and speekonit...
Labels: MLK, politics, President
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Tavis Smiey's Interview with Venezuela President Hugo Chavez (plus more updates)
Peace and blessings,
Below is very recent interview with Tavis Smiley and Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela. Also, makke sure to check my archives, because I have started adding videos for some of the movies and themes I mentioned in those pieces. Most recently, I have made updates to posts I made in February and in June. Enjoy, and as always, speekonit...
Below is very recent interview with Tavis Smiley and Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela. Also, makke sure to check my archives, because I have started adding videos for some of the movies and themes I mentioned in those pieces. Most recently, I have made updates to posts I made in February and in June. Enjoy, and as always, speekonit...
Labels: Hugo Chavez, movies, President, Tavis Smiley, Venezuela, videos
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