Letter from the Editor----September

18 September, 2008 09:52:00 thewriteup

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Greetings Valley Readers,

On my ride back from the Airport after spending a week visiting relatives in North Carolina, my good buddy, Drew shared with me his rationale for lending his support to Barack Obama. He, very matter of factly shared, "Every year, this country is supposed to evolve…get better. Over the past 8 years, we’ve been slippin’ and getting worse. People may question his experience, but…he’s good for moving the country in a new direction, he’s good for this nation, and he’s good for the world." I think the most curious comment I’ve heard come out of folks’ mouths relative to Obama’s candidacy is, "The country is not ready for a black president." Really? I ask these folks.... Project much? Is the country not ready...or is it that person starin’ back in the mirror? Throughout history, the readiness for change factor has been tried and tested. Apartheid policies in America have been challenged over the centuries. The only country in the world to espouse freedom and equality for all has resisted the call to live up to its mantra. America wasn’t ready for blacks to have the right to vote. America wasn’t ready to de-segregate schools. America wasn’t ready to end the restrictive covenants that would give blacks the right to affordable housing in better neighborhoods. America wasn’t ready for freedom of political thought as the black lists ended careers for those who disagreed with the way American Democracy was being carried out. America wasn’t ready for Daisy Bates to lead 9 young black students into the halls of Central High School in Arkansas. America wasn’t ready for blacks to have access to higher education. America wasn’t even ready to allow blacks and whites to marry…however…over the years, this country has in fact evolved. The evolution was borne from the sacrifices of ALL Americans who were tired of waiting. The fact that Obama IS IN FACT the Democratic nominee should echo sweet...like Curtis Mayfield’s voice when he sang…’People get ready, there’s a train a comin’ You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board’ Within the next few months, we all have a chance to participate in the most historical election this nation has ever seen. Call it a day of reckoning. The movement I thought I’d never see has been brewing and stirring with citizens who are ready for change. Ready for someone who has first hand experience in successfully navigating through the racial dynamics that continue to distort what it means to be an American. Ready for someone who CAN relate with and empower communities to organize and create their own solutions to problems that have long gone ignored. Ready for someone to address the issue of affordable health care for everyone in this country. Not to mention QUALITY health care for those who risk their lives to defend it. Ready to mend the relationships with nations abroad which over the last 8 years have been severely compromised. Ready to speak for the people who elect him, as opposed to the corporate lobbyists who seek to line their pockets with earmarks for special projects. For those who still think, "America is not ready!" America is beyond ready. America is long overdue for meaningful change. November 4th will be here sooner than you can say, "YES WE CAN!" If YOU’RE not ready… The Write Up can help you GET READY!

THAS PEACE!

Special Thanks to Bari Ross who has partnered with The Write Up! for a voter registration rally and campaign fund raiser for Barack Obama on Saturday September 27th at Ross’ Hooked & Cooked Seafood and Soulfood restaurant from 3pm to 8pm.

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