Benediction at Obama’s inauguration, Rev. Joseph Lowery: ‘Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in the back, when brown can stick around… when the red man can get ahead man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen’…
One thing that never ceases to amuse me is the fact that you can be outright racist to whites, and they simply won’t give a damn. I mean, DAMN! Maybe it’s white guilt or something. Can you imagine if, for example, McCain had won and a white pastor told America to pray for the day when “whites keep playing it right, browns keep gettin’ down, reds keep gettin’ ahead, and blacks cut back on the attacks” (or something along those lines). Haha, damn, that would be insane — even I would say, “Damn, that shit is RACIST.” As my friend said (who shall remain anonymous), “When an issue has absolutely nothing to do with race, leave it to a minority to make it all about race.”
It will definitely be an interesting four years. I’m positive that I will be called a racist for not agreeing with Obama’s positions on various issues. That’s the way people are running with their arguments right now — agree with him or you’re racist. I could care less if someone thinks I’m racist, to be honest. I know I’m not — I just hold people accountable based on what I see, what I read, what I hear, what I learn, etc. (regardless of whether you’re white, black, brown, red, purple, or shiny pink).
For instance, I had an interesting conversation the other day, where I wondered out loud why UC Berkeley didn’t have a jumbotron on Sproul to celebrate the 2004 Bush inauguration (whether it be the first one or second one). I figured both events (Bush / Obama inaugurations) were both important-enough historical events to merit a viewing. In fact, I feel ANY presidential inauguration is a historic event, regardless of which candidate emerges the victor. In the many years of American history, only 43 men have held the title of “President of the United States.” Thus, it is pretty impressive when we get to witness such an event.
I was then told it was stupid to even consider having such an event for Bush, because it was not at all a historical event. However, it was definitely right for Obama considering he was the first black man to become President. Well, I said, I think they should’ve had it for both. Sure, it’s definitely an historical event to witness the first black man taking his oath of office, but I thought both were still historic. If the fact that Obama is half-black makes this one that much more historic, then so be it. But my argument stood — both were still historic.
Unsurprisingly, I was shouted down, told I was wrong, and ALMOST (I could sense it happening) about to be called a racist. Like I said — in the near future, it will simply be “agree or be viewed as racist.” The way I see it — I hope Obama does well, to be honest. If he does well, the country does well. States do well. Cities do well. The people do well. We do well. I do well. However, I hope very many of his policies die a fast death. There’s a difference between not liking a man and not liking his policies.
I’ll keep living life. In my eyes, nothing much has changed. I’ll still keep my eye on the news. I’ll still have fun. Life goes on.
By the way, this made my day. Today’s “What’s Your Poo Telling You?” excerpt:
WHITE POO: Sometimes occurring after consumption of barium (the chalky stuff you drink before getting an X-ray or CT scan), white, or albino-looking, poo can also be caused by a blockage in the bile ducts or by various types of liver disease. This poo is rare and typically develops slowly over weeks (sometimes with a simultaneous darkening of the urine). When it comes to poo, white is not right, and a visit to your doctor is a must.
Hahahah, perfect timing for that one!
