I grew up reading Alex Haley's Roots and Queen, Richard Wright's Black Boy, lynching accounts, intellectual inferiority theories; therefore I find the recent election of President Barack Obama unbelievable. I do not know what to do with myself. I am overwhelmed. I am at a complete loss for words. This is what reparations looks like to me, not some government check. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, many Americans-- most Americans-- are capable of judging based on character as opposed to skin color.
These are just black girls thoughts of a woman who has gone through the various stages of racial consciousness. I am now at a point where I appreciate where most people are coming from. I understand our perspective of race is largely shaped by our experiences and the experiences of our parents. I do not know what to say, all I can say is thank you, God, for allowing me to be here right now. My mother died 6 years ago and if she were alive I could not imagine what she would say. I certainly feel motivated by Obama, a test of true leadership. I certainly feel a desire to work harder, God knows he worked more than hard during this campaign. I certainly feel obligated to give everyone the benefit of the doubt; you never know who people are until you get to know them.
Of all these things I feel-- I mostly feel great hope for the African American family. Of course they do not need handouts and certainly many of us will benefit from democratic policy. Nonetheless, the largest gain here is the image in and of itself. The presence of Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha will energize the African American family. Barack will energize the black male. We will know that the black family, family period, is imperative to progress as the success of black males is imperative to sustenance. In Barack those of us who have not ever experienced the love of a father, husband, even-tempered brother enjoy such. In Barack we have hope that black women can be loved and strong simultaneously. Black women will no longer be slighted and subjected to misunderstanding but they will be appreciated. As much as we value and love white women our heavier burdens make us decidedly different and our cultural heritage makes our brand of beauty different from what has typically been recognized in American eyes. Black women have toiled at the bottom of the social hieracrchy for ages, even as we achieved beyond our men, finally one with dark skin will be honored as a first lady. Imagine what this will do for young girls of color who will never be blond and blue as the barbie suggest is true beauty. Such a feat is cyclical, from poverty to HIV; drop outs to retirees. I can see that this will truly be the great country of its destiny. I often think perhaps there was a reason for slavery. Hundreds of years later, perhaps this is what we are meant to be. I can't wait to see the additions to the great American legacy