I’ve never in my life experienced a physical reaction after reading something on a computer screen. Sure, there have been diaries here or articles that have brought the proverbial tears to my eyes but never had I actually felt chills run through my body. It was a rush, like William Gibson’s "freight train running up my spine" after the protagonist in Neuromancer pushed on an adhesive patch of amphetamine.
Of course in that world, the street "held the axe." For a long time people all over this country, in our inner cities and our impoverished rural towns have been waiting for that axe to fall. I hope they feel, as I do, that the axe has been stayed. For more, follow me after the jump.
To quote a Rethuglican attack ad, it’s the "first time I’ve been proud of my country." I know, but wait. I went to Berkeley and majored in history with an emphasis in Latin America, the Southern U.S. and the slave trade. I followed that up with three-years of law school that educated me further about the civil rights movements in this country. This has made me all too familiar with this country’s history and tradition of caste chattel slavery, de jure and de facto.
Yes, slavery was outlawed by Lincoln but that didn’t stop the de facto enslavement of black Americans by the circumstances of their economic and social position. Many scholarly commentators have addressed this subject far better than I ever could but suffice it to say that the United State’s views on race are supremely fucked up. It’s only now, more than three-hundred years since folks from other shores "discovered" this continent that our society is finally beginning to move past its fixation on the dichotomy of "white" and "black," ignoring all the lovely gradations of color and culture that make this nation so rich.
Other countries that have struggled with their legacy of slavery have a much more nuanced view of color than does the U.S. I never thought, in my lifetime, that I would see an African-American as a major party candidate for president. That he’s accepting the nomination on an anniversary of MLK’s most famous speech makes it all the more delicious. I was taught that the fractures in our society, because of the shameful stain of slavery on our Constitution and history, were beyond healing, at least in my lifetime.
I’m glad to see that my professors were wrong. I’m glad to know that the civil rights that were struggled toward for so long are finally on the cusp of being achieved. Yes, I know we have a long way to go but this is an incredible step. We need to forget the worries about whether Barack will be a president for the black community or the white community. I believe, and I know the nominee also knows, that the fissures that once ran so deep can now begin to heal with sustained action.
I’m proud of my country and of all of us!