Becoming the Change

We must become the change we want to see in the world. — Mahatma Gandhi

I closed my last post with these same words from Gandhi. Words we have heard in different variations and renditions from many lectures, sermons and speeches. These words resonate with me most because action is most important out of all our hopes, dreams and aspirations.

The element of "hope" and "change" was introduced in the successful presidential campaign of Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States. His message of "change" is now a possibility since his historic victory.

But as he mentioned in his speech, it's only a chance at change. We must work together to make it happen. No matter who you voted for, if you're Democrat or Republican (or other), red state or blue state, we live in the United States of America. The election is over; we have our next president and it's time to unite.

It's time to unite in prayer and work toward change. My way of working toward change is volunteering. I have slipped in my community service in the past few months, but I'm back in the saddle. I've finally been matched with a mentee through Big Brothers, Big Sisters, reconnecting with friends at Detroit Parent Network, serving on boards and planning committees for non-profits (see links) and availing myself more to my family.

President-Elect Obama was coined "the candidate of change" during the election, and reports have shown that he is hitting the ground running to do what he has promised on the campaign trail. But we can't depend on him to change our destiny, we have to get our houses in order and "become the change we want to see in the world." We now have to be "candidates of change" in our own lives. Get involved and make change happen!

The Chance for a New America

As I witnessed history last night, I listened to the President-Elect and heard his heart. In the middle of his voice I could see his vision. And I one statement he made stood out like the Sears Tower looking out above Grant Park on the thousands who cheered and cried tears of elation and celebration. Before the moving story of centenarian Ann Nixon Cooper, he cautioned us to remember something very important:

"This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change."

Change begins with a chance. If success is where opportuniy and preparation meet, we must not squander the opportunity by forgetting what we are prepared to do. Work. It has only begun; the chance for change to a New America. The essence of his words led me to write this piece:

Welcome to a New America where dreams are realized by those once living nightmares. Through the eyes of elders, we have seen travesties and horrific historical accounts of many a people downcast and downtrodden. Since the origin of this great nation, tribes have been exterminated, cultures have been stereotyped, encamped and concentrated. And in these modern times racism has been covertly operating under the guise of gentrification and classism. Flames of war have been fanned across the fields of the east, families have lost their foundation for the cause of corrupted capitalism under the guise of patriotism.

This night seemed like it would last for an eternity, as the wheels of political power spun in favor of the financially full, fueled by the blood and sweat of the less fortunate. These atrocities of arrogance unfortunately wont fade immediately on the dawn of this new day, but the light with grow across the horizon and the sun will rise higher into the sky. The light will reveal the evil the darkness once covered and we will see the true nature of ourselves.

In this New America, our eyes must adjust, must adapt to the world around us. We have waded in shadows so long that our perception of the world has been mired in mists and subjected to smokescreens, teary eyed with torn spirits. We have to be honest with ourselves. Seeing with our hearts until our eyes are washed free hate and intolerance.

But take caution: this is no panacea, this is a process. We cannot rest in relief. This is morning, this is the new America. Wake up and work to shape the day.

The world is watching us. Continually pray for our new president as you have (or have not) prayed for our current president. Pray for and love each other. We must start with ourselves.

We must become the change we want to see in the world. — Mahatma Gandhi

The Morning Before

So it comes to this. So many have already cast their ballot with the eager anticipation of change. Droves of black men and women have already voted, it's been reported that over 50% of democrats and more that 40% of republicans have already made their choice at the polls. I've personally seen lines wrapped around buildings for days of early voting. It's certainly a phenomenon like the city of Detroit hasn't seen in a long time. It is bittersweet and scary yet, proud and glorious moment.

Why bittersweet? Because we just now realize the power we have in 2008. We just now have regained the wisdom to get involved, and it took a little selfish ambition to realize that. Some African Americans are voting because they can actually identify with a candidate through physical and circumstantial similarities. A physcial manefestation of our potential. And there is nothing wrong with that. I am slowly learning that you have to have an element of selfishness to survive.

But why did we have to be doubting Thomases? Why did we have to see with our eyes to take our power back? We needed this turn out to save affirmative action in Michigan. We needed this kind of entitlement and responsibility when electing out local leaders, instead we rested on the familiar faces and names that our grandparents remembered, or didn't vote at all, leaning on our elders to lead us.

Scary? Yes, horrifying. In the days leading up to this, I've done my best at avoiding political conversation, in fear of witnessing a world of ignorance, insensitivity and intolerance. Well, that conversation found me last week and was I sorely vexed. I admire hope and faith, but such virtues of a zeleaous nature can be blinding to the point of dangerous naivete; looking down the road ever so optimistically, oblivious of the snake pit set in your path.

But getting off my soapbox, I realize that was then and this is now. Affirmative Action is abolished in Michigan, that disturbing conversation is over and all I have is the future.

Tomorrow morning I'm purposed to get up at 4:00 a.m. to mentally and spirtually prepare myself for a long day. I am reporting at 5:45 a.m. to work as a line marshall at a downtown polling site. I've witnessed the buzz of election day voting in previous elections. I remember how anxious each candidates' volunteers were, desperately shoving materials in the hands, arms, bags, mouths of anyone brave enough to give eye contact, and to those who wouldnt. I remember opposing party members trying to distract, disrupt and discourage voters. This was four years ago, and I was just there for an hour, to cast my vote. Tomorrow, I'm there until the polls close helping keep order in the melee that is election day.

This is the front line of battle, where the rubber meets the road.

Three weeks, eh?

In the last three weeks a lot has transpired. The lovable Lions are doing what they do best. There was a debate that debuted Joe the Dumb...I mean Plumber into the campaign, more Palin SNL fun, Colin Powell backs up Barack followed up by the awe-inspiring "Obamercial" that aired last night. I even heard that there is talk that the Republican Party is in danger of implosion, then reform (things that make you go "Hmmmmm..."). Oh and the Pistons are back, too!

*GOING TO WORK!*

Yeah, It's been a minute. Over the past two weekends I've been working. And that isn't even my second job (which I have yet to find). Ok, I admit I did party last weekend, but only one night though. The HMD's will not be denied. And I did a little "micro-blogging" during the PRSA National Conference, what an experience that was. And then there was Fable 2 for Xbox 360, which I handily finshed. So many distractions, so little time.

So, if you have been looking for a new post then it looks like I dropped the ball. Or, maybe I just did the unexpected; broke from the norm. Wouldn't that make me a Maverick!?

Yeah, that's it. I didn't post in the last three weeks because I don't have to. I can break from convention and do what I want. Yeah, No. Honestly I'll get back on the horse, as soon as I find my cowboy hat.

See you next week, for a special Post-Election Post. Or so you think...

*Evil villain laughter, then uncomfortable silence*

What a Week

So he is finally gone. But will his absence "save the Lions?" I think not. These guys have a heritage of suckage, the Bears are giving them every opportunity to regain some dignity. They don't want it. Dropped passes, sacks, fumble recoveries and penalties; you got to love these guys.

Mr. Kitna, no, you lost formality in front of your name, Johnny. I love your fire and passion, but stay your non-scrambling (expletive) in the pocket. PLEASE! This whole 6-step-drop-and-run-around-like-a-fool thing is getting old! It's not working out, try again.

Roy and Calvin, I have to put you two together, because you are twins at total incompetence. When Johnny isn't eating dirt and actually gets a pass off, you play patty cake with the pigskin. Yeah, and you want more passes? I'll go with Rudy, thanks.

Ok, now that that I got my weekly Lion bashing out of my system, on to our favorite subject in the nation: Sarah Palin. Need I say more? No, I don't even feel like going there. You saw the debate. Ok, maybe I'm in a sour mood because I'm annoyed by the BS. If you were an employer why would you even consider someone who admits she has only "been at it for five weeks" for an executive position?

And when in a debate, isn't the object of the whole deal to answer the questions? Since when does someone "do well" in a debate and not follow the basic rules of deabte? As Yakov Smirnoff said in the old Best Western commercials, "what a country!"

I should have stopped when I said I would.

I'm Tom Bodet of Motel 6 "we'll leave the light on for ya." Ok, no we won't.

Cleaning up the Mess

While watching last nights debate all I could think was, "wow, what a train wreck!" Like all accidents I just stared in disbelief. I lost interest a bit (as I naturally do), but even with my self-diagnosed ADHD, I observed carefully and found the reason for my repulsion. Something was smelled funny about this debate, or maybe I am just a naive idealist that thinks that these displays of our leaders intellectual prowess would show a level of refinement and class. Ok, you're right. This is politics. I'm naive.

National polls reflect that Senator Obama won the debate, and I agree but it was no knockout. If these two combatants were pugilists, they both came out bloodied, but not wounded, just lots of scuffs and scratches from grazed skin; lots of swinging and whiffing all over the place. Both Obama nor McCain had any clean connections to the issues or each other. Their verbal sparring was likened to kindergartners telling on each other between tears and whimpers. Get to the point...

Senator Obama's win could be attributed to either opponents disqualification of judges decision. Why? Because it was horribly moderated and no etiquette or order was enforced (Jim Lehrer, you should be ashamed of yourself). Senator McCain's was allowed to repeatedly rampage through segments with obnoxious over-talking and Senator Obama was defensive and apprehensive.

Neither candidate should take full fault for their behavior. Mr. Lehrer was the catalyst, setting an adversarial tone, instigating like the lunch room gossip girl. As a moderator he failed to progress the event. Lehrer made the biggest mistake of walking two large dogs, he let the slack off of the leash, they tugged free and off to the races they went. The man couldn't even transition to the next lead question because of the rudeness of McCain, and the insistence of Obama to respond to it. Lehrer didn't hold a balanced scale, he dropped it.

My rant on Lehrer notwithstanding, I also found myself irritated by the repeated phrases of frustration of Obama. I admit, I expected more poise from the senator, but in the hostile environment he was found flustered. He began his rebuttals with a stuttered "Look" and "Listen", visibly exasperated by McCain's forcefulness. To his advantage, his aggression peaked during his assault regarding McCain's errors in Iraq, but then plummeted after a few spars regarding Afghanistan.; he never regained control. In this sequence Obama deferred politely to the moderator, who fumbled the mantle of order and McCain snatched it back again.

"Look" I'm not bashing, "just saying."

McCain, was the passive-aggressive antagonist in this mess of a debate, was a ball of stiff emotion. He raised his brows in jest, smirked, sneered and snarled silently. He reminded me the Joker in the Arkham Asylum's geriatric ward. He was stiff but still witty and clever enough to bait Obama into fits of nodding and notepad scribbling. His offensive was dirty and had no class. He was the quintessential school yard bully, held back a few years; older, angrier and unsupervised. Lehrer, went from supervisor to spectator, with eye glazed over.

By the way: did you know that South Koreans are three inches taller than North Koreans?! Thanks McCain for an irrelevant biological comparison of two countries' people. You know a great deal about foreign policy! [sarcasm]

This was a scuffle that was over-billed. Actually, if I read the signs of the melodramatic political theater days prior to the debate, I would have known this farce of a face-off would be a letdown. Oh well, time to vacuum the dust of a unremarkably boring battle.

Clearing the Confusion?

I wasn't planning on posting an entry today. But, after checking my Gmail this afternoon, I had no choice but to share this. The title of this entry shares the title of the following passage that was emailed to me this afternoon (without attribution) and I deemed it very thought provoking. Then later on in the day, I read a blog with an unabriged version of these very same thoughts.

To those who intently following our most "defiled" democratic process, both poignant peices can stir anger, despair, shame or defiance, depending on who you support. I took the liberty to color-code the passage into "red" and "blue" to indicate the our awesomely inclusive two-party system and to differentiate the candidate(s) that represent them.

Read with an open heart and vote with an open mind.

I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight...

* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic, different.'

* Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, a quintessential American story.

* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.

* Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.

* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.

* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate, representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.

* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.

* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.

* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.

* If you teach children about sexual predators, you are irresponsible and eroding the fiber of society.

* If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America 's.

* If you're husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that hates America and advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, much clearer now.

-Author Unknown

On the blog, many have applauded the author, as did I. But then, others had replied in strong opposition to his observation; not with substantial arguments against his claims, but citing other arbitrary instances and irrelevant accusations, distracting and diluting the issue at hand.

I, for one, agree with both the passage and the blog that there seems to be some "slight" disparity in the way we see our candidates. Am I angry? no. This is the world we live in. Whatever your take is, this election is going to be one for the ages.