`Understand the tears`, maar hoe?

[Henk Elegeert]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

http://blogs.indystar.com/intouch/archives/014585.html

"
November 5, 2008
Understand the tears
Posted by Bryan Hudson


For many older African-Americans, witnessing the election of our
nation's first black president was unthinkable only 30 years ago. The
occasion is so astonishing that many of us have been moved to tears.

These tears of joy celebrate American equality and opportunity at the
highest level, representing lifetimes of hopes and questions.

Older Americans see our society as a montage of images, memories and
experiences. When I pull into the driveway of my Northeastside home, I
sometimes remember my father showing me the deed to the small home he
purchased in 1967. The deed said, in part, that the property should
never be sold to "negroes" or "mulattos." I live in a neighborhood
where blacks likely would have been unwelcome when my house was built
in 1965. I am always aware that brave people, white and black, prayed
and sacrificed to overcome racial inequality.

On the day of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968,
I went bike riding with my friend Bobby. The fact that he was white
had not been significant before that day. As the scales of
indifference fell off my eyes, I began to understand that there were
people who did not want blacks and whites to co-exist as equals in
every respect.
Bobby and I, as 11-year-olds, were seeds of "the dream."

While there have been irresponsible blacks who attracted negative
focus, at the core of the "movement" were decency and the
determination to be respected as equals with all others. That path to
equality required excellence supported by changes in laws and hearts.
The most admired Americans share the transcendent quality of
excellence and compassion. Admiration is a foundation for equality
that causes race to become less of a factor.

In reality, whites were more instrumental to Barack Obama's election
than blacks. This is the best evidence that America has grown and
changed for the better. And the whole world takes notice.

President-elect Obama's excellence, personally and politically, is
remarkable. His campaign has been both seminal and energizing for our
electoral process. He possesses a unique mix of culture, gifts and
abilities. At the same time, we must continue to empower people who
are less gifted and fortunate.

If you see tears of joy, try to understand this: African-Americans,
even from the days of slavery, have staked their lives on the hope
embedded in these words from our Declaration of Independence, " ...
All men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness."

Pray for our new president-elect and his family.
"

`Understand the tears`, tja, maar hoe?

Bv. die van Jesse Jacksons?

Hoe (erg dis)functioneerde die democratie dan? Hoe kan/kon dat dan?

Vormt(/de) "The Dream" dan niet sowieso een voor een ieder na te streven doel?

Ok, miljoenen kunnen nu President worden van de V.S. maar dat was toch al?

Kortom: Waarom is er een ´voorbeeld´ nodig om die ´Dream´ (nieuw)
leven in te blazen?

Henk Elegeert

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