Far removed from the many manufactured divisions pushed by a very biased mainstream media; Democrats relished four awesome and historic days in Denver. They proved that no single political party has a monopoly on patriotism. America belongs to all its citizens, irrespective of background, upbringing and social standing.
Barack Obama is under no illusion that by virtue of the significance of his momentous candidacy, he will be airlifted into the White House. The truth is, never before has so much been required of a presidential candidate.
In his all-American acceptance speech Barack made it clear that love of country is not the private domain of conservatives. He underscored that patriotism is not mainly a slogan for winning votes, but is how we treat and relate to each other. "Government," he said, cannot do all, "but government must help and not hurt its people. It must be there for them." A people’s government will not abandon them in their time of greatest need. That was evidenced three years ago, when the Bush administration was absent for days after Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, while people drowned from rising floodwaters and perished on their rooftops. The images of an American city with dead corpses on the road for days should remind all Americans that government matters and there are consequences to elections.
The much-hyped disunity that the Republicans and the media anticipated and attempted to fuel at the Denver Convention did not happen. Hillary and Bill Clinton understood what is at stake in this election cycle. They were gracious and forceful in their support for Barack Obama, but more profoundly for the American people. The Clintons may be ambitious political animals, but they are savvy enough to understand that the country has had eight years too much of Bush and McCain. "No way, no how and no McCain," declared Senator Clinton. The Clintons fought contentious election primaries, but when the national interest is at stake they understand the value of putting aside petty differences for a bigger cause.
By any measure, it was a people’s convention designed to highlight the plight and suffering of ordinary people and to give hope for the future. There were numerous speeches, but the stories of ordinary Americans who have experienced the hardships of the last eight years were revealing, appealing and at times emotional. The many struggles of individuals who have been left behind by an administration whose priorities include massive tax breaks to the rich.
The convention showcased an anxious audience, tired of the old ways of Washington and ready to take back their country. The diversity of the crowd highlighted that Americans are prepared to set aside ideological differences and racial tensions of the past in the quest for a new day in America. The pundits are insistent that Obama must do more and more to prove his credentials and his readiness for the highest office. Over and over again he has demonstrated his symbiosis with the people and understanding of the new American thinking. People want a clean break from the old stereotypes and a progressive direction for economic viability.
On the first night of the convention, the prospective first lady, Michelle Obama in prime time revealed a brand new image of an African-American family. She was articulate, poised and extremely confident with a message of American renewal and genuine family values — the kind that has been the hallmark of thousands of families of color across America, but are not often portrayed on television screens. She was a standard bearer that night for all that our parents taught us about hard work, morality and values. Her daughters appeared well disciplined and her mother must be truly proud. America will be richly blessed to have her as its First Lady.
Unfortunately, there was something disturbing about some of the commentaries in the black community after the event. I listen with amazement to Professor Cornell West on the Tavis Smiley show arguing that Obama appeared to be running away from his black history. Professor West is an intelligent historian, commentator and author, but on this occasion he missed the point. Prior to Obama’s speech an entire hour had been dedicated to honoring the historic significance of Martin Luther King Jr. and his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. Obama is a byproduct of that struggle and his nomination as leader of the Democratic Party in the 21st Century is credible evidence that the fight for equality has assumed a new and enlightening direction. The black revolution has succeeded and it is time for a brand new strategy for empowerment. Obama understands that he is swimming against a tide and he must forever be careful to bridge that divide.
Like some white people, there are some people in the African American community who will not vote for Obama, no matter what he says or does. Some are still in shock that a black man can accomplish so much so quickly. Interestingly, they have fought for this day for decades, but now that it is here they are caught between the reality of the moment and denial. More importantly, Obama’s successes generate a whole new dynamic of black consciousness in the community. It is a powerful image for young people who have been marginalized by politicians who have used them in successive elections for votes but have not turned back to uplift their communities. The energy exhibited by young people to Obama’s candidacy and message of change and hope is the clearest signal of a revolutionary movement that seeks to transcend the negativism, cynicism and disinterest of this generation. Their engagement in the political process gives hope that the next crop of politicians will be rooted in the causes of ordinary people.
On the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s speech when Obama, the son of an immigrant and White American woman accepted his party’s nomination, the struggles have come full circle. King’s dream had metamorphosed into the creation of a new movement for economic and educational empowerment. Obama is simply the vessel that embodies this new thinking. When he wins the White House in November, the country will send a powerful message that in America there are no blue states or red states and that ideological persuasion is no longer relevant. It will be the fulfillment of the dream that a man should be judged not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character. That was the single most powerful message from the Denver Democratic Convention.