THIS STORM is unfolding as it will, and we are yet to see how it will end. The electricity feels threatening at times. But here is a chance, now, finally to talk about the things we need to talk about. Which means the chance to make real change.
I NURTURE A SUDDEN AND UNREASONABLE HOPE that we can institute behavior incompatible with the larger and more destructive behaviors of our culture as well as cast off the illusion that makes so many give up before they might have a chance to start.
NANCY PELOSI made statements in San Francisco’s mission district on Saturday that seem to signal a new direction on immigration issues. While advocates for reform have been on pins and needles wondering when the Obama administration would make a move to show that his administration will undertake this, this may be the first clear signal that they will.
ELLE, PHD: I expected to cry if Barack Obama won the election—everyone who knows me expected me to cry. I even had friends who called and said, “Are you crying yet?” Admittedly, I dashed away a few tears, but I didn’t really cry. The joy I felt was overshadowed by worry. And why am I letting it get to me?
MATTTBASTARD: Does it make me feel proud to see someone who reflects my biracial identity at the helm of the world’s most powerful nation? Sure—but what Barack Obama’s victory most represents to me is “an opportunity.” The margins of ‘possible’ and ‘impossible’ have been redefined. This ain’t about the man—never was.
BLACKAMAZON: Not another going back till that ship on that sea woman rocking now fatherless children. Not another beautiful “strong black woman” punished by loneliness for loving a man trying to be good. Not another group of brothers in tears kicking themselves because they FELL FOR IT THIS TIME AGAIN. That they believed that this time work would pay off. We prayed for it, chanted lit candles, and it seems like it snuck up on us…
MOYA BAILEY: I don’t feel victorious. I don’t feel like we won. I do think that these sentiments are particularly interesting after the early press spin that asked whether Barack was black enough and black people were ambivalent about the answer. Now he’s one of us, our hero, our modern day Martin and Malcolm….
WE HAVE AMAZING STORES OF POWER within us. Stores of energy; of psychic, spiritual, and mental energy. That’s why we can heal ourselves and sicken ourselves and others around us. Obama is not perfect, but from what I see, he believes in orienting upon the restorative, constructive, and healing properties of that energy. And anyone who does this has my attention.
MY HOPE IS THAT WE CARRY THIS FORWARD. This energy now rising. That we all carry on with this decision to work for a new day and a new way of seeing. A way out of the hate and the fear and the small-minded paradigms that keep us running in circles as we try to spiral up to the Top of the Shining Heap and step on other hands to get there. That we continue to open our minds and our hearts and become this change we want so much to believe in.
CHANGE is coming for the world. Neoliberalism is crashing, Free Market Philosophies are crashing, Wall Street is crashing: All the mechanisms in place that are best at making the rich richer and the powerful more powerful and the poor poorer are collapsing. Posturing Palin is on TV telling the commoners they need to support the party of elitism, and Evo Morales is doing just the opposite.
MY HEART RACED faster and faster and when it was over I…I let the sadness wash through me as it had to for a few moments. The bold ignorance and hate and bigotry was…terrifying. And sad. And loathesome. And real. But not new. This energy takes people’s lives every day in some part of this land. But maybe we move closer to a new time. And simply that possibility is inspiring.
WATCHING THE WELL-WORN WEAPONS OF THE RIGHT being grappled and thrown and dropped and whipped about in frenzy; watching the GOP throw McCarthyism, Racism, Terrorism, Greedism and everything else at both Barack Obama and the American populace reminds me of the final writhings and wailings of the Boss Monster before you take its life.
House of Nezua
the XOLAGRAFIK theater!
