A Brother's Point of View  

Originally, I wanted my first Point of View Commentary of the Week to reflect on the democratic primary, more specifically Sen. Clinton and the democratic primary.  I wanted to take a moment to examine how a one-time shoe in for the democratic nomination totally andcompletely blew it.  At the end of July 2007, Sen. Clinton had a comfy lead in the polls.  According to the NBC/Wall Street Journal national poll, she had 43% to Obama’s 22%.  A molly-whopping 21 point lead would be considered by most, insurmountable.

Some would say that such a lead so early in the process really wouldn’t mean much, but when coupled the “Clinton” brand name, it seemed as if the soon to be nominee would cruise to an easy victory.  Even according to her campaign, they never saw this election going past February 5^th 2008.  That’s what THEY said publicly before Super Tuesday.  After that Super Tuesday competition, they thought they would’ve wrapped up enough pledged delegates to put all contenders to bed… Including one Barack Obama.

However, by the end of April 2008 the NBC/Wall StreetJournal polls were telling a completely different story.  Sen. Clinton still sat at 43% and Sen.Obama surpassed her and was then shown at 46%.  And this is what I wanted to talk about… How the apparent heir to a political dynasty was clobbered across this country by a newcomer on the national political stage.  I wanted to talk about the process and how in it she lost her composure, lost her dignity and even lost her cotton-picking mind.

But in light of last night’s history making and momentous event, I’d be remiss if I dedicated an entire comment to the candidate who did not get the job done as opposed to the candidate who did.  Sen. Barack Obama has gained enough pledged and committed super delegates to reach the new magic number of 2,118.  Attaining this magic number makes Sen. Obama the presumptive democratic nominee of the Democratic Party.  This of course is a history-making event, because as we know, it is the first time a Black man has achieved such a feat.

With that said, I have a burning question…  What now?  The easy answer is, ride the wave of this momentum into the Democratic National Convention, heal and unify the Democratic Party and then spank Sen. John McCain in the fall. But that leads me to another burning question…  What then?  Some of you may think I’m asking rhetorical questions that are ideological in nature and should only be chalked up to philosophical pandering.  But I’m for real.  What now, leading to what then?

Understandably difficult, however, let’s refrain from over-romanticizing this pregnant moment in history at the expense of the bigger picture.  The bigger picture was not the democratic nomination, the bigger picture was never the Presidency of the United States of America.  The bigger picture is a fundamental and profound change within the United States ofAmerica.  Sen. Obama’s theme of change is what may or may not get lost in the elation of his great accomplishment.  Many of us are mindful of this, while others are not. So my burning question still stands… What then?

I believe with my entire heart that we will soon refer to him as President Obama.  I also believe that for every one of us in support of him, there will be someone else proactively working to tear him down. So again… What the?  Will the intergenerational, intercultural coalition of Obama-happy Americans continue to bond together and set out to aid him?  Or will we return to the pre-Obama days, becoming fractionalized once again, having a “Mission Accomplished” moment similar to that of Curious George Bush?  What then?

If President Obama’s detractors and cynics become a chorus of anti-Obama propaganda, will we arm up our vocal chords and find our sections within.  Or will we show them, that the banner of change for which Obama ran under is a testament of living will, being acted out across this country. My friends, the danger of this reminds me of the old hymn, “Were you there?”

The hymn simply asks, “Were you there when the crucified myLord…”  Now before you brand me blasphemous for equating Obama with the Lord, peep the analogy.  (He is) a messianic figure that has galvanized the energy of the masses and has crystallized a wide range of diverse human elements, into one body. That is analogy.

Unfortunately, as the history has shown, those same individuals who presented their bodies to hear him preach and teach were the same individuals who came to Calvary to be entertained by and enjoy his crucifixion.  So the question was asked, “Were YOU there when they crucified my Lord.”

Beloved family… there’s always some of us there.  Sitting behind the scenes waiting forthe celebrated leader to be defamed. But in the context of Barack Obama, where will you be when it’s all said and done?  Waiting for defamation?  Sitting at home, thinking you’ve done your job by voting and now he’s elected.  Maybe challenging him to be as good as every word in all of his speeches? Or helping him to bring about the change that’s so desperately needed.  It makes no sense to bring millions of new voters into the electoral fold; only to have them disappearonce the election is over.  That wouldn’t be the change we voted for, instead, it would represent all that is wrong with our system. 

But I’m no expert. I’m just a brother with a point of view.