Reparations: Black - Brown Relations

Oh, what a day!

It's funny. In a world where it's taboo for a man to cry, I must admit that this campaign has caused me to tear up on more than one occasion. Today was another such occasion.

Today, Governor Bill Richardson endorsed Senator Obama. And, overtly he had remarkable and beautiful things to say about the Senator. Yet, larger than the language is the symbolism.

Another Clinton supporter - noted Latino community activist Adelfa Callejo - stated that Senator Obama has a problem with Hispanics "because he's Black." There has been a divide wedged by the powers that be to pit Black against Brown, when both of us are in the same boat.

So what is the larger context? Governor Bill Richardson's endorsement is TREMENDOUS! It is a courageous stance…almost as courageous as Barack Obama’s speech. It was a tough move for the Governor to make, but it showed that he’s not afraid of the issue, and is willing to stand with Obama’s appeal for reconciliation and advancement of our Great Union.

We do have separate issues, that must be dealt with singularly. Yet, we do have shared concerns that are best served by a consorted effort. The key is knowing when to join our efforts and when to work on our own.

As a Nationalist, I always have said that we must only stand with those who are willing to stand with us. Governor Bill Richardson showed that he too understands the issues of race in America, and is willing to stand with Senator Obama and not hang him out to dry. With all the history behind the Governor's relationship with the Clinton family, this is a bold move and should be applauded. In the larger context, I see this as the highest profile Brown political leader standing alongside the highest profile Black political leader. To hear him tear up as he made his endorsement made me tear up as well. As a Republican, I wish we had a leader exhibiting that kind of courage on the issues that rest at the core of what hinders our Country from being all it can (and should) be.

So, he - as a Brown man - stood with Obama. Maybe now we can go forward together, Black and Brown, working for change in America and pursuing the perfection of our Country.

Here's a video of today's endorsement: