Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Inauguration Of President Barack Obama....The Man and The Message

Millions of people from all over the world had the chance to view the inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Obama. It wasn't only historical as it related to him being the first African American to be elected as the Commander In Chief . This inauguration was also historical for the over one million plus that attended and millions from around the world that watched from their own television sets or listened on the radio. We were all able to take something from this momentous moment in history. For many people, it was about race. Race from the standpoint...yes he is a man that is of Kenyan and European descent and people just wanted to be able to say that they were there or to say that they remember when this country elected a man that is an African American. But beyond that, there was a deeper message. "Yes, we can overcome", as a nation as it relates to race relations. "Yes, we can overcome", as it relates to the problems that our country is having to deal with economically. "Yes, we can overcome", as it relates to world peace. President Barack Obamas' speech, implied that he would do everything within his power to make a difference, but he also let our nation and the world know, that he can't do this all by himself. Let us not forget that the President can't undo what took years to do overnight or even in a year. But if we all pull together rich or poor, black or white, christians or non christians, we can make a difference. Ask yourself what can you do to make a difference in our everyday lives and the lives of others. We are the "commander in chief" of our own actions. As President John Kennedy stated basically, " Ask not what your country can do for you, Ask what you can do for your country". President Obamas' speech echoed some of the same ideas. So take from this inauguration a new sense of how it relates to you and remember..."Yes,we can and we shall overcome ".

Sunday, January 18, 2009

" I Have A Dream" Speech..The Impact Then and Now

August 28th, 1968...Dr.Martin Luther King delivered one of the most powerful speeches in modern day history, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the, " March On Washington", for jobs and freedom. This was a defining moment in the civil rights movement. He spoke of his desire for a future that would overcome the injustices that were being done in this great country of ours and spoke of the importance of togetherness for all mankind. He appealed to our human conscious and spoke those powerful words that would still today make a strong impact on what we can do together, only if we stand together as mankind. In his mind all things were and are possible if we just try. If you have approximately 18 minutes, I strongly suggest that you go to www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm. In the past I have listened to bits and pieces of this great speech, but never in it's entirety. Upon viewing the video as well as listening to the audio, I couldn't help to see the many diverse races of people that were there on that day. Within one minute of viewing, it not only humbled me, but also brought tears to my eyes. Not only because of the struggles of the past, but also to see how far as a nation that we have come. Let us not forget the 250,00 people that attended that historical event, many of them sacrificed their lives according to their beliefs, black and white. On November 4, 2008, this nation elected Barack Obama as the president of the United States. Dr.Martin Luther King and the believers of equality for all mankind knew that this would eventually happen. And those that were part of the struggle probably never would have thought that this would happen in their lifetime, but it did. And just as we saw the diversity of people that were active during the movement of the 60's, we also saw that same diversity during this election for president elect Barack Obama. Americans came together and reached deep down in their souls and remembered that it was time for "change" and understood the importance of " United We Stand, Divided We Fall". We haven't won the battle completely, and we still have more work that needs to be done, but we have made a major impact and we have shown the world that in America, all things are possible. January 19, 2009, we will be honoring Dr. Martin Luther Kings' birthday. If you have the time please listen to his speech and ask yourself what this speech meant to you and what you can personally do to make this country a greater nation.