With One Magic Word

The candidacy of Barack Obama was probably the greatest social experiment in the history of America.


I have written about the transformative power that Obama's presidency can have on America's youth and especially upon young Black men. And while this new reality is a positive; I have noticed something in regard to this that may not be so productive.

Many parents have talked about how Obama is a welcome alternative to the rappers and musicians who act as role models. In President Obama, their children now have someone proper to look up to.


While having a Black president as an example of achievement is certainly welcome, I think there is a misguided rush to diminish the lives and accomplishments of others while pointing toward Obama.

In all honesty I have found myself doing the same thing.


Since the election, every time a child has expressed a problem, acted up, or dismissed the role of education I have simply replied with " Obama". It has become almost like a magic word at this point. The mere mention of Obama is supposed to automatically instill discipline, ambition and a general sense of well-being.

While using the Obama tactic I noticed that I was no longer concerning myself with the feelings, background or temperament of the children I was addressing; but rather looking up at the peak where President Obama now resides.

There is an importance to individuality and the path not taken. I am not referring to this as a means to excuse irresponsibility or bad behavior but simply as recognition that it is almost always a mistake to live one's life as a carbon copy of someone Else's.

So as great as President Obama's journey has been, it is HIS journey. That means we have to nurture the youth to become the best versions of what they aspire to be and not legions of the next Obama.

Redemption

I haven't written anything since Obama won the election in November. I wanted to bask in the euphoria that captured millions of people across this nation on that night. Now that Barack Obama has assumed the Presidency, I think it is time to embrace the reality of the future.

Today, I had the pleasure of experiencing the inauguration with hundreds of Elementary school children. It was the perfect environment to experience the true magnitude of what took place this day. When I watched the unbridled joy and passion that can only emanate from kids; rise again and again every time Obama's name was mentioned, I realized that this was truly a moment of redemption.

All of the promises of the transformative power of education and the reward of hardwork that often-times seemed to be absent in the lives of some of their peers and family members, suddenly manifested in the form of Obama.

When all of these 8-10 year olds would cheer when they saw a reflection of themselves in each member of the Obama clan who are now the first family, the promise of a new beginning seemed clear.

So often we talk about children being the future but with the pressures of life we are almost constantly looking at ourselves and what lies ahead for us. For the first time, in a long time, the happiness that I saw today forced me to look back at all of the kids who will one day lead us. And now more than ever I feel optimistic about the future knowing they will have a point of inspiration that was unimaginable before this day.

The promise of America has been redeemed and the future truly begins now