Black Like Me, American Like the Rest, or a New American?

What an amazing time in which we live!

With the election of the first "Black President," comes with much election and so many expectations.  Not only in America, but also across the African (and entire) world people have hopes that this will mean something.

See highlights of the watch party at Ebenezer Baptist Church:

I too am excited - albeit cautiously.  I guess it's as Congressman John Lewis said in this clip: the election of Barack Obama is not the promised land.  And, while we celebrate this true milestone in the development of our Country, I want us to keep our eyes on the prize. 

Don't think that the mere election of a Black man means all is well.  Reparations means recognizing the value of a Black President.  And the question remains: is President-Elect Barack Obama black like me, American like the rest or a new American?  What should he be?  What will he be?

There are some Blacks who would like to believe that because we have a "Black President," we will finally see our "fair shake" in this Country.  There are some who believe that there will finally be due attention paid to the racial disparities in America.  There are some who see President-Elect Barack Obama as a "magic bullet" - a savior or sorts, who will make everything better.  There are some of us who hope (and expect) him to be "Black like me."

In theory and in truth, there is (and never will be) a "Black President."  In theory (but not in truth), there has never been a "White President."  The President is - and always will be - constrained by the majority (Government by the People).  The majority is White.  So, the President will always be directed by the whims of the majority - of White people.

So, will President-Elect Barack Obama be "American" like the rest?  Will he continue the status quo?  He speaks of how improving education for all will ultimately benefit Black Americans.  Will he continue this naieve approach of trickle-down policies in education (and other programs) that he so detests in economics?

Or, will we see a New American?  The Obama campaign has shown a coalition of the races, genders, sexualities and other dividing lines.  He was able to unite them to head in one direction.  Can this new American spirit translate to eradicating racial disparities in this Country?

This later option would be the best.  But, it cannot happen without our (Black) effort.  We cannot sit back and expect that President-Elect Barack Obama will be able to be the Black man we want him to be.  We cannot sit back and allow President Obama to maintain the status quo.  But, if we shrink back into political dormancy that is exactly what will happen...majority rule dictates that. 

Freedom is only a part of Liberty.  Freedom can be given, but Liberty must be taken.  And, to this day we have failed to seize hold of Liberty.  The only hope is in a New America where everyone  embraces Liberty and has a stake in the American Dream, and - Black people - we cannot let this moment pass us by.

America - and the idea of America (Liberty - not imposition of any kind) - is the hopes of all the people in all the world.  Just look at the celebration in Kenya:

Seeing a Black man rise to the highest seat of power in the world is truly inspiring.  And, one can only imagine what Africans in every corner of the Continent must be thinking.  We hope they do not think that President-Elect Barack Obama will be "Black like them" and immidiately address their concerns - allowing them to continue in lack-luster governance and corruption.  We hope the leaders of African Governments do not sit back and allow the continuation of the status quo that heaps arduous interest rates on the backs of impoverished countries and uses "humanitarian aid" as a means by which to subject countries to the "Will of the West."

The best option would be for a "New American" President Obama...one who empowers nations to embrace Liberty and self-sufficiency.  But, it will be incumbent upon the nations of the world to embrace the ideals of Liberty and call upon those ideals to create not only a more perfect Union, but also a more perfect world.

Make no mistake: President-Elect Barack Obama is not our reparations.  But, we have been presented with an opportunity to seize hold of Liberty...around the world, it is ours for the taking.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Barack Obama