Mr. President

Everybody seems to have a favorite photo of President-elect Obama. There are many, but here is mine.

MALCOLM X and Obama

IT'S SAFE TO SAY IT NOW

Throughout the campaign many were struck by the resemblance--oratorical and visual--between Obama and Malcolm X. Some have suggested that Obama was intentional about this and I'm sure he learned a thing or two on Chicago's southside and at Rev. Wright's church. The intellect and vision is his own, though he did also borrow a lot from Dr. King. Consider it the black community's gift to America.

Jump Nyabinghi for America

No, that's not Barack Obama in dreads. Bob Marley's Jump Nyabinghi was the first song I saw on my Itunes list this morning. I thought, "What a nice song to celebrate Obama's and America's victory." Nyabinghi (Ni-uh-bin-gee) is a celebratory ritual within the Rastafarian culture offering praises to Jah(God) and appeals to destroy corrupt, wicked systems.

Hallelu-Jah!
Hallelu-Jah!

Love to see when ya move in the rhythm;
I love to see, when you're dancin' from within!
It gives great joy to feel such sweet togetherness,
Everyone doin' and they're doing their best
Huh, it remind I of the days in Jericho,
When we troddin' down Jericho walls:
These are the days when we'll trod t'rough Babylon, (na-na, na-na)
Gonna trod until Babylon falls.

I felt a great happiness and togetherness last night while listening to Obama's speech in Grant Park, Chicago. Perhaps most gratifying was the mosaic sea of faces that celebrated with him. There's so much to say on this occassion (the media will fill our cups). For now, all I can say is Jump Nyabinghi!

TODAY IS THE DAY.......

I voted this morning at 8:30AM, around the corner from my house. It was only a minute long ride. Outside the polling place, Maplewood Homes for Seniors, a man with a baseball cap thanked me for coming out. Near the entrance door,volunteers sold coffee and egg sandwiches for a dollar. I walked into the lobby where poll workers took my name. Several college students, two of whom I know well, were among the poll workers---part of a new effort to recruit young people into the political process.

I went into the booth. It was clear. This was the historical moment. I pulled the lever and enjoyed the clicking sound. When I closed the blue curtain to seal my vote, I walked away satisfied that I'd done my part.

2 days and counting...........