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Change happened this week. It’s the kind of political
change that doesn’t happen very often - some might even say
has NEVER happened in this instance. It’s the kind of change
that breeds excitement and changes others that who, normally,
would not get involved. Exciting times don’t come often in politics.
The only thing that excites politics is change.
But it’s here now, despite the effort on the part of some to
kill the momentum that happens every two generations. In the
euphoria of the weekend, it evidenced itself “big-time” in the
black community. What should be a common sense choice for all
of us, wasn’t for a few persons who call themselves leaders
in our community. It was both mind-bending and heart breaking
to watch and yet revealing in its sense of urgency as to way
the community never changes - some might even say vicious in
its demeanor. Somehow, some way, there are those who can’t see
the change, or don’t want the change, and they find a way to
stand in the way - of change. Much “hatin” was going on this
past week, but it didn’t matter. Still, we can’t dismiss haters
of progress, who at their very core claim to want change for
our people but try to block it at near every turn. I call them
the “Change Killers.”
We’re all entitled to our preferences, but we
shouldn’t pass it off as change when it is really more of the
same. It was painful to see so-called black leaders, in various
parts of the country, introduce Bill Clinton as “a real brotha”
or dismiss Obama as not ready. Barack Obama is as ready as he
needs to in an era of change. The American People are agreeing.
There is something deeper here, that even white people realize
it. America has done much wrong over the past 250 years. It
is trying to overcome a racial past that will cleanse its very
soul. America also recognizes that, in an Anti-American world
that is three-fifths people of color, putting a person of color
before the leaders of that world makes them look at America
in a totally different posture, one that might be more conciliatory
than confrontational.
America
is trying to save itself from its ancient and recent past. Redemption
is always possible, and a nation that doesn’t have too many
chances left is seeking to find a principled, intelligent person
to lead the country. After seven years of the dumbest individual
anyone can ever remember running a country, who will leave the
largest deficit ever and the biggest war mess of recent history,
America sees the brilliance of the America dream coming to pass.
Rising above race, poverty and a single-parent childhood, into
the halls of elite colleges, Obama demonstrates a mastery of
intelligence rarely displayed in politics. His is an authenticity
so real that you can’t help but embrace it, and a principled
stance that doesn’t separate our community from the rest of
the country. When has a candidate spoken to us AND America,
at the same time? Never. Only one of ours can.
Americans historically cross party lines, ideological
frameworks and partisan preferences when change aligns with
their personal politics. Kennedy spoke to a new generation's
personal politics and they elected the first President born
in the 20th Century. Reagan spoke to America’s personal politics
and no one was going to stop that change for alienated white
populous. All deals are off when change is in the air. Except
when it comes to black people.
We are witnessing the most intensive effort to
divide black voters since the 1960 election, but anyone who
is sincere about representing the interest of black people can
see this. Yet, we watched black “powerbrokers” trying to siphon
off black votes for Clinton under the guise of doing what’s
best for our community. We watched a well-known black congressperson
say, on national TV (several actually), that no one was going
to tell her how to vote - and she has gotten rich (literally)
in a slate mailing operation - telling uninformed voters how
to vote. Michelle Obama said it best when she stated, “when
power is confronted with real change, they will say anything”
[to keep it]. Even kill it - something African Americans know
all too well.
Change
Killers are worse than Dream Killers. Dream Killers tell you
what’s not possible in the hope that you won’t try to pursue
your dream. Change Killers see the dream being realized and
try to stop the change by any means necessary. The black community
is filled with Change Killers, who either don’t know a new reality
or can’t see a new reality, so they stifle change. They make
excuses why change is not good, why change can’t take place,
why change can only come through them, and their communities
look the same as they did forty years ago.
Change Killers would have us have more of the
same just because it’s in a different package. The same argument
was used for Affirmative Action. You know, the one that said
“white women represent change too.” They ended up being the
biggest beneficiaries of Affirmative Action and most think like
the white males who trained and enriched them. That should be
a very valuable lesson for black America.
Tuesday, change ran over the Change Killers.
They have until November to re-group, when change will run over
them again. Change is on the way - even in the black community.
Not even the Change Killers can stop it.
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