Seize the Opportunity

I sit here, so inspired...I'm in awe of Barack. Not in the sense of him being such a 'great' person, he is just a man. But in his courage, tenacity, and audaciousness.

I hadn't yet sat down to view his speech in Penn and I'd found myself a little 'down'. Down because I felt that they'd finally found something. Not that it's anything that I feel speaks to his ability to run the country, but still something...something they could hold over his head. Something to give those who want to live in the confines of race and their own perversions...something to get him off track. I was also disheartened that this was not any information based on his own action or transgression, but of someone else's thoughts/actions. They were reaming him with the 'guilty by association' bit...I was disheartened. Just when we were on the brink of change, a diversion arises...I am sometimes affected with cynicism, as are many others, and began to feel that this, surely, would be the wrench that would negatively impact our impeding change.

I have a multitude of reasons, ranging from emotional to tactical for which I support Barack Obama...but one of the key factors for me has been his astounding courage. I watched his speech and as quickly as I found myself despondent, I was again filled with hope...armed with the artillery to believe. He did not just tackle the issue by diverting, denouncing, back-peddling, as we have seen many others do when faced with an attack. He used this attack as an opportunity...a medium to give a historical speech to this country. He said things that we all think about everyday...but we keep these thoughts within our minds, families, and confines of the communities and groups with which we feel it's allowable for us to be free and speak about who we really are and what we really feel.

It validated America and confronted our nation's deep-dark secret. The taboo issue we all keep in our minds b/c our legacy has allowed us to believe that it will always be this way. He spoke about it using his truth, as opposed to quelling his perspective so that he will appear more acceptable...a road that many black americans have taken. He embodies courage.

This situation provided an opportunity, and for that, it's welcomed. Through his courage I was able to stop myself from trailing back to the spot of hopelessness. Not in the sense of my life per se, but opening my eyes to the possibility the we really can impact and affect change. Really seeing truth in the idea that we as a nation can change, that the majority of people do want peace and equality and those who feel otherwise are the over-represented few. That if he was not attacked, he would've never had a real stage to deliver the message that he delivered. That had he on his own accord decided to confront our nation, it would have fallen upon deaf ears and he would've been labeled the 'black' candidate. Some will still view it, or listen to the hype surrounding the issue, and decide against him nonetheless. But because he put it into the atomsphere, we as a country are now armed with a perspective that has not been broadcast to the masses in our lifetime. We as a nation are armed with the ability to make a choice...

I'm honored to support him and I hope that in writing I may inspire myself and others to seize the opportunity to impact your life. Whether it's voting for someone you believe in, choosing to move past the confines of your own mind and do or think something different...whatever you choose..just know that you choose. We are only who we decide to be..

Okay...I'm done with this tangent for now:)

Peace and love...hopefully it won't be another 7 months before I show up here again.