Reparations & Super Tuesday

If there was ever a time for us to receive Reparations for the various injustices afflicted upon us by this Country, it is now. If there was ever an opportunity for us to combat the numerous disparities between Black and White in this Country, it is now. If there was ever an opportunity for America to achieve the greatest dream and the hope for the idea that is "America," it is now.

On February 5th millions of us will head to the polls and cast our votes, and there is so much at stake. What is at stake is not who will do what for us. What is at stake is the opportunity for us to do for ourselves. As I said in the header, "not speaking from a Nationalist perspective is paramount to wishing to be fixed by someone other than ourselves." Reparations calls for us to seize the opportunity to grab hold of the promise that was denied to our ancestors.

For the sake of those who were brought here in bondage, and stolen away from freedom; for the sake of those who died in captivity, waiting for freedom; for the sake of those who fled their oppressors in search of freedom; for the sake of those who were lynched, tarred and feathered, trying to exercise there new-found "freedom;" for the sake of those who were hosed, beaten and imprisoned, pleading for an equality of freedom we must rise to the occasion.

And, what is it that we can do for ourselves? We have the opportunity to prove to ourselves that our parents and grandparents were right...that we can be anything we want to be. For too long we have sought equality by looking for the beneficence of those outside of our community. Because of this, we have inflicted deep harm on the psyche of our children...condemning them to the idea that there exists nothing good within ourselves, and that if we are to see any good it MUST come from outside of ourselves and our community.

Because of this view, we have turned neighborhoods into "hoods." Because of this view Historically Black Colleges and Universities struggle to sustain their existence. Because of this view, black businesses are few and our communities suffer from a consumerism that sucks money away from where it's needed and fills the pockets of White corporations with little to know concern for its customers (even the White customers).

Reparations demands that we repair our nation. To change our community, we must change this view. We must show ourselves that there does exist good within ourselves. We must show ourselves that we can be whatever we want to be. We must infuse hope and noble ambition into the psyche of our children.

So, we have a choice: we can show our children a competent White woman, or we can show them a competent Black man. One would be decent, the other would show our children that they too can be whatever the want to be. The Black man would show our children that being Black does not condemn you to a life of servitude. Electing Senator Barack Obama will show Black people around the world that there is hope in overcoming "the difficulties and frustrations of the moment."

So, on Super Tuesday we know what we must do. We must come out in droves to vote for Barack Obama. We must tell the Democrats who is our choice to be the Nominee out of this Primary Season. We must tell this Country - Democrat and Republican - who is our choice to lead this Nation. Now is the time for us to rise. Now is the time that we awaken the sleeping giant that is the Black Community. Now is the time that we repair our community. So, tell your family, tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your enemies: Come and Get Your Reparations!