African American Quotes: Barack Obama
Lately, I’ve found myself in need of a bit of inspiration. It’s led me to turn to African American Quotes for life lessons. I’ll begin by saying, I’m not a Trump supporter. I’ve never eeally cared much about elections. I didn’t vote for President Barack Obama. In fact, I’d never been compelled to vote, so didn’t. I figured all politicians were… well, politicians. Then Trump came along, and I cared. This year, I cared enough to vote.
As I watched the election unfold, the unbelievable started to happen. A man I was convinced America couldn’t possibly support, because of the blatant discrimination he spouted, became the President Elect. I was confused, but most of all, I was angry at America. The blissful ignorance I’d kept myself in was shattered.
You see, I’d taught in the high schools. The kids, now in their early to mid-20s, had me convinced racism and other discrimination was dying down. I’d convinced myself that my generation would carry the hate to our graves, leaving a better future for those we leave behind. I thought if we pretend that we weren’t racist, that our children would believe it to be true and treat those they met with fairness, reserving judgment for a person’s characteristics and not outside appearances.
As the election campaigns unfolded and America took sides, I realized discrimination and hatred was a lot stronger than I’d thoughts. I’m really not sure what happened. I thought we’d come so far. I don’t want to go back to the past… the idea of when some Americans believed America great… back when discrimination was alive, well, bold, and okay. Let’s not bring that to the future.
Our country elected President Obama, not once, but twice. Why? I don’t understand how we managed to support a President who valued equality so strongly and worked so hard to equalize our citizens… and yes, even those who’ve immigrated into the country, yet turn the country over to a man who incites the opposite. I truly am confused.
Election night, I went to bed angry. I woke up and it hit me in a different way… grief and sadness. I lay in bed for awhile and cried. Wednesday wasn’t so great for me. When I say, This is my America, it’s with bittersweetness, I’m flooded with mixed emotions. I felt disempowered and helpless.
I needed to do something for myself. I wanted to fight for my America… not the America that showed itself to me throughout the election campaign and the resulting election. NO…. the America I envisioned for the future. I added my name to the great list of volunteers at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
By Thursday, I’d recovered some what. I wasn’t angry, wasn’t sad… just disappointed and confused. I’m still confused… and afraid. I hate living in fear. America is my home, the only home I’ve known. I think of all the countries I could been born into, and I can’t think of a better place than the United States. I am truly blessed to be born an American. The election was a mental setback for me, but life moves on and we become stronger when we overcome trials.
My husband came home Friday night with word of the safety pin. He said it was a sign, meaning safe haven. I cried the day after the election. For the second time in a week, tears came to my eyes. This time, not because I was sad, but rather because my hope was renewed in America.
Thank you. As an African America and the mother of interracial children (at least one who is a member of the LGBTQ community), I’m thankful to those who share a hope of a hatred-free America.
As we transition from one President to another, I see that many of us still believe in positive change. We believe that, “Yes we can” have a better future… a future free of discrimination. With something as simple as a safety pin, we put President Obama’s words into action.
In the white community, the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination – and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the past – are real and must be addressed. ~President Barack Obama
Trials are a normal part of life.
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