I'm So Proud of You... America

I'm so proud of you America.  It has been a good year for a nation that is pushing 235.  This year you went out of your way to renew your promise to all your children, that no matter what background, face or race, you can achieve something great in the United States of America with hard work and a good education.  Did I mention you became the first Western nation to elect a man of color to its highest office in the land? What a year you have had.  Something great really came out of you in 2008.

America, you have shrugged off some of your darkest days of racial turbulence that was generated during the Civil Rights Era to produce a leader that really represents the diversity of your great land.  Just forty years ago, just one generation ago, your land said it was free, but your children were separated in almost every way they navigated your hills and valleys.  My parents tell stories of segregated schools, restaurants, water fountains, even music concerts. Now, we share everything, especially the hope for something greater that can come for your renewed promise.

Some theorist have given the name of black plight in the U.S. the 'slave mind'.  This is a theory of mental limitations that have been placed on a people, from generations of failure and lost dreams, to eventual acceptance of goals and rules that are less than what can be accepted for the majority culture.  This is the idea that obviously stems from slavery, "I am a slave.  My children will become slaves." as the cycle continues with no hope to become anything more. This wasn't that long ago.  My grandfather's grandfather was born in slavery, and there is no record of my family history past that because of trade.  That is why I am so proud of you today America.  To rise from the ashes of your own internal flame to let all your children shine down, on the message that there is nothing false about hope.    

An MSNBC commercial advertisement stated that "presidents can change lives", perhaps that could not be more true than with Barack Obama.  A black man in this country that has risen to the top of American culture without acting in a blockbuster movie, or singing a grammy winning album, or dribbling a basketball... well that last one is in question, but you know what I mean.  A man that has achieved prominence with proficiency of his intellect and hard work, not some act of pop culture.  I just can't stop smiling that all of this happened here, only could have happened here, in America.