Visiblemen

What a great couple of weeks! Historic, emotional, and moving, among so many other things.

I came across an interesting article on Newsweek.com – Black first family ‘changes everything’ (http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/15/obama.family/index.html)

I’m an eternal optimist, an unapologetic idealist. I have deep admiration for, and faith in, our new President. I have been impressed and inspired by the energy and excitement his campaign, subsequent election, and recent inauguration have generated. Count me among the millions who are swimming in the pool of renewal and hopefulness.

Black first family ‘changes everything’.

No, it doesn’t.

While the spirit, symbolism, and triumph of the Obama family presidency provide the potential to be immeasurably transformative, these things on their own will do little to effect meaningful long-term cultural change. In fact, left on their own, they will actually become the foundation for profound disappointment, the kind that comes with the stark realization of a great opportunity missed, of "we had it, but we wasted it", of never again.

These seeds must be nurtured and fed. They must be watered with action, with doing, with industry and personal investment at a significant and sustained level. If they aren’t, there will be little change, at least not the kind of nation-transformation about which so many of us are dreaming. If they are? Wow.

How and what are we, individually and collectively, willing to do to ‘change everything’? Will we commit to new levels of community involvement, social activism, and charitable contribution beyond our immediate circles? Will we get and stay involved in local politics, even after we don’t like an outcome? Can we let go of some outdated and paralyzing perspectives and bring a fresh, forward-thinking perspective to the dialogue on education, race relations, and youth advocacy?

I hope so. I really do. I want change. I want better.

Can we be different, be better? We have to be. Then, and only then, will the Black first family have the chance to change everything.