Today I Make History

Today I will vote for all that is just and right. Today I will vote, not only for myself, but also for my mother Fannie Belle (Mackey-Meredith) Turner and her mother Ethel Mackey Vedder-Green and her mother as well, and her husband - my grandfather who I never knew. I vote for my paternal Grandmother Mrs. Helen Adele Freeman Turner and Grandfather William Josia Turner I - he too was layed to rest before I was born, and their daughters Henrietta Adele Bradley and Helen Hoban. I vote for my mother's brother Leonard Meredith and my maternal Great Uncles Joseph and Zedebe Mackey.

I vote for all of my kin and all of those who lived a particular existence that denigrated theirs. I vote for every black man, woman, and child who lived and died in oppression. I vote for every one of my people who were enslaved or born into slavery. I vote for a new America which will struggle to learn a new kind of governance, I vote with a good concious for all Americans.

Most of all I vote for any peoples in the world who have known injustice, oppression, racism, genocide, or famine; the rode's end might be faraway; jarring, asperous, and unequal - and you may never know the calm that comes after a stormy sea, but someone of your kin, like me, will see that day finally ushered in. And although, there will be many more storms to endure, I vote today to become stronger for what may come. I vote today so that someone of my kin will know a better humanity, and better world.

Barakometer

Barack Obama sweeps the Potomac primaries. Thats what the headlines read tonight when I got home from a lecture entitled "Race & National Politics in America" at The New School, given by Greggory Keith Spence, Professor in Professional Practice at The New School (Milano Faculty).

The lecture began with the idea that "Race has played a major role in national politics since the founding of the United States." A historical perspective approach was applied which led us to, of course - and the main reason that most folks attended - the possibility of a black democratic Presidential candidate.

As it turned out, as I had expected it to turn out, what was discussed was aligned with my intellectual fascinations - the idea of re-telling history as it really were, which lends itself to unraveling the social, political, and cultural conundrums of the 21st Century here in America.

Talk of "race" thus far from or about Obama has been at a very minimum, however, be assured that it is coming. Particularly, from those politicians and political archetypes right of center, you can expect open talks, or behind the curtain rumor mills. They will stop at nothing to cause divide amongst us, Americans.

Does it come as any surprise that I support the candidate whose campaign slogan, from the beginning, speaks of change and hope? But, change means a lot of things now. For example, not every black person is voting for Barack, not every black politician is voting for Barack. Many of these Washington politicians have close ties to the Clinton's, and they are not about to sever them. Favors received, are debts unpaid, now they're paying their debts to Hillary. The same goes for a few black organizations and churches here in New York City. Hillary and Bill were very visible politicians, especially in Harlem.

The lecture much like my blog entries ended segments and its entirety in positivist fashion. The focus was not here is the bad news, and that means more bad news. Mr. Spence simply discussed how things really were, and how they really are today - sending folks home with knowledge to spread so that we may avoid repeating mistakes from the past (i.e. the"Bradley Effect").

I close this entry repeating an idea Greggory Spence closed his lecture with, which is a thought I had written in my own journal when Obama won the Iowa primary. Regardless if Barack succeeds in getting the democratic nomination or does not, regardless if he does and then does not get elected president, he has already made history. The fact that a black candidate has garnered support from Americans of all backgrounds, has earned 1,242 Delegates, and shows no signs of waning is progress that can not be erased!
We are making history, we are changing what we want changed.

Introduction

I write this blog as a means of continuing and increasing dialogue about what it is to be an American in this 21^st Century. Through my eyes, I explore what it really is to be. And in this knowing, it is then that I will understand the meaning of being an American in the 21^st Century and the role we play around the globe. Grounded on a solid foundation; understanding the good, bad, and indifferent, it is my hope that I can be of some use to the World at large. Most of all I write this blog because change starts with one, me.

I am a 21^st Century American, I have my very own American past and have also inherited an American history. These are two different ideas. My American past I know to be true, whereas my inherited American history, in its entirety, has a validity that is highly questionable. For example, in America we have yet to resolve our issues with “race”. Ethnicity and diversity are one of our longest standing hang-ups which impedes our path to ensuring a just life to be lived by one and all. This, I believe, is because the absolute truth about America’s history - before and after the States became United – has yet to be told by our historians and public education system. Our government should lead the way to finding truth and reconciliation, an act which would implicate itself as progenitor of inequality.

We live in a country where our government is much more comfortable living behind a lie, than exposing itself with truth. You see if the government where to expose itself with truth, not only would wrong doings, mystified in history books, be admitted to, this gesture would open the flood gates leading us up to the later half of the 20^th Century, and onto today, the 21^st Century. Blaming the dead would only be of use up till the late 1800s, through to Nixon's era (with the exception of Reagan), and then they would reach those still living, and those still honored for their brilliant leadership. The government dare not allow this public shame to be caste upon it. Those who run the show would rather live safely behind lies. I personally would have much more confidence in our government, overall, if our leaders would allow the “coming clean” dialogue to finally have its place. I can wait no longer, and feel it is time that we demand the truth.

In a theoretical system of justice, if an eye witness cant be found, or if the witness refuses to divulge what they know, an investigation takes place. The system doesn’t simply shrug its shoulders, let the accused criminal go free to potentially rob, maim, and kill again – they investigate. We as Americans need to demand the truth and begin investigating.

When necessary I will reference historical information, however, it is not my intention to use the majority of this blog to re-tell American history as it really were. Although it is necessary to show concern for history – and I do hold steadfast to the brilliant idea of re-telling history as it really were as opposed to what suited historians – I would like to train myself to be “always looking at the here and now and then tomorrow”. I look to today and then ahead, not to assure that one’s story serves him justice when he is dead and gone, but so his life, my life, or anyone’s life, is experienced as a just life.

It is my intention to be “always looking at the here and now, and tomorrow”, my course of study at the New School, on the other hand, often keeps my focus on the past reviewing history. The knowledge I have gained is crucial and indispensable. And although enlightening, I am often forced into a obligatory state of judgmental thinking. (Often I find myself walking around brooding about how rotten this world can be). It is a necessary evil - searching for and then discovering the truth when you’ve been lied to - and is time and again the devil’s advocate of information. Because of all of this I need to find a positive outlet for today. This blog is my opportunity to bring balance to my life.

I see this introduction as a set of basic guidelines for myself. I could just as easily say I will write about whatever topic of the day, and in whichever tone I please, and with whatever attitude I wish, much like many other blogs. But if I could wish for, if I could choose one commitment for the rest of my life it would be, it is, the commitment to finding a path to peace. No matter what I discuss I hope my blog is a means to inspire hope in today and tomorrow for myself and for whoever reads it.

My thoughts are concerned with how good things can be, ought to be, and will be, if only we decide so. Change starts with one, you.