We are fighting against a culture of cynicism, but what is often forgotten is that cynicism is merely a response to the failed ideas and ideals of romanticism. Hence we are often romantics disguised as cynics when we launch into these fatalistic critiques of this candidate or that candidate, this social issue unfulfilled, this reality overlooked, and all the rest.
I am heartened that Barack Obama has, cynics withstanding, inspired so many of us to take from his example and to, in essence, take his example as a means to best influence policy and the greater world beyond merely politics.
A diary posted yesterday directly addressed whether or not we are, as many, assert, as well as I assert, whether Barack Obama's campaign is a movement. The implication is that any movement, any seismic shift of tectonic plates is an endeavor impossible to muster, particularly in these skeptical times. I understand these arguments and often times I find myself part of that Greek chorus, but for the first time in my life, I find a reason not to automatically expect the worst, lest I ever receive the best instead.
What I will say in my own defense is that I have been directly inspired by Barack Obama and I was from the instant I heard about him, which was nearly four years ago, when he gave the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. At the time, I saw him as a rising star, and hoped that someday he might be a successful Presidential candidate, but I did not expect to see him run for President any time in the subsequent future. When he decided to run for 2008, I jumped on board his bandwagon quickly, fully expecting him to run a respectable second place to Hillary Clinton and make his name more viable for subsequent runs at a date to be determined later.
How times have changed and well beyond my wildest dreams and empty, but eloquent rhetoric.
I take his words literally, namely that it is time for us to make change. We are the change we need. We are the solution. I would like to be part of the solution and I find it deeply heartening that so many people have gotten the message and the larger message behind it all. Doubters, skeptics, and cynics will always arise whenever anyone proposes something as massive as a movement. Indeed, they always have, and they always will.
Barack Obama cannot make a movement alone. He might be the face of it and he might be its champion, but this is the time for leaders to rise with him. We have needed good leadership for an eternity, but those same paralyzing doubts have stifled the voices of those who would lead and demoralized those who would follow. While I do believe all people were created with equal rights, I know that not all of us are leaders. Most of us are followers. But a few of us are leaders and Obama needs some good ones. I do honestly believe that leaders will always rise to the challenge and make their presence felt when times are expedient and they have a reason to feel as though they will make a difference.
I would hasten to call myself a leader, though I would definitely admit to being someone who uses his unique talents in a desire to make the changes and reforms we so desperately need. It will take everyone's combined effort, no matter how small it may seem, no matter what package it comes in, and no matter whether it comes in prose, resolve, diplomacy, or action or all of the above. Every American is desperate to have a reason to believe again. I believe again. I believe we really can make some changes.
I don't believe we'll have peace on earth or hold hands around the campfire and sing Kumbaya. Far from it. I'm optimistic for the first time in my life but I have no Utopian ideals. I know life to be a challenging affair with no easy answer, but I do know the power of an informed citizenry which shapes public policy as it best sees fit, rather than outsourcing that role to a government which stopped representing the people long ago.
It is in that spirit that I post this video. :-)