Posted

Nov 5th 2008

I am about to write in a very frank manner. Understand that I speak here of what I believe to be the one major opportunity, the one silver lining, in these election results. Some, though, may take offense; however, mind my journal's House Rules, as this is not a free-fire zone to throw flames as you please.

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Obviously I am deeply disappointed in what has happened with this election, insofar as what it says about the policies that will be brought to DC and what that in turn means for the nation and the world. I am very concerned about what a hasty and self-absorbed withdrawal from Iraq will do to that nation and the entire surrounding region, as well as the impact of a punitive tax structure on an already crippled economy. And I am deeply worried about what crisis might result from the likely desire of hostile powers to "test" Obama...and what that cost might be to America and its allies. I remember how such things played out under Clinton--the Embassy bombings, Khobar Towers, the first WTC bombing, and the attack on the USS Cole, and I worry very much about the suffering a resurgence of such acts not just in the "known" hotspots of Iraq and Afghanistan but elsewhere in the world will cost. And I worry that the cost of these things--let alone any massive attack (God forbid!) that might occur--will be awful. Those fears will not be diminished until this upcoming presidential term comes to an end.

But I see one possible achievement on the homefront, one that if it actually occurs as I hope it might, could finally bring healing to the psychological wounds that our nation has continued to suffer from for generations. The election of Obama is only the beginning of what needs to happen when it comes to ending the racial bitterness and guilt that has plagued America for as long as anyone can remember.

Make no mistake: it is a great accomplishment that now a man of African descent will hold the highest position our country has to offer. But I think there is more that President-elect Obama can do than merely hold office. I believe he is in a unique position to set a tone from the top down that it is time for the resentments to end. It is time for the people of this nation to stop walking on eggshells when it comes to dealing with those of a different race, time for us relearn how to relate to each other as people. Both minority and majority have the right to expect that they will be treated according to personal character rather than the color of their skin. Both have the right to be held responsible for their own actions, and not the actions or status of their ancestors. No one should have to fear that if they have a disagreement on substantive matters--a political dispute, a difference in their way of worship, a difference in what will best help the company one works for--that their disagreement will be taken as a sign of covert racism. And we have to recognize that racism and resentment is everywhere, that it's not just a unilateral problem. And we have to acknowledge that it's not just the Southeastern US that needs healing, and the victims and aggressors both come from every background imaginable. Once we are able to openly acknowledge and define the problem, we will finally have the ability to move forward and fix it together.

The piece that has been missing all these years is forgiveness. Take some time to reflect on that one silently, to really turn it over in your minds and hearts, pray over it if that's your way. We've progressed, but never forgiven.

President-elect Obama: if there is one change that MUST be made...it is this one. We have the chance to learn to love one another, to go back to the path that Martin Luther King, Jr. originally envisioned for this nation, to get off this detour of hidden animosities that we're on. And you, as a president likely to enter office with extremely high approval ratings and a mandate the likes of which we haven't seen in years, are in a unique position to set an example from the top that people are likely to take note of and maybe even follow. Don't forfeit this chance, because that's the change we ALL need.