Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Ready or Not, Here He Comes!


Well people, we did. We finally got the first black President. And yes, it does feel good. 3 weeks later, I'm still on a high that's pretty amazing. The saddening aspect of this historic feat has been the reaction that I've seen and heard by others. I mean, for as much as this election has shown that we've come a long way, the reaction has reminded us of just how far we have to go.

As I've said in previous blogs, I travel across the country for a living. I have been to all of the lower 48 states, and one of the states that, to me, is very underrated is Wyoming. Very beautiful scenery. No, there's not much to do there, and of course there are very few black people there. (1.15% black as of 2005). In spite of that, I have found the people of Wyoming to be very engaging and hospitable. Well that all changed a couple of weeks ago. I don't want to disparage all the people of Wyoming because of one particular incident, but I must admit that it definitely put me on guard.

I was coming inside a truck stop. As I was heading to the bathroom, I happened to walk past a trucker who looked at me somewhat menacingly. I wouldn't have thought much of it, except for the fact that the man was wearing a shirt that had a confederate flag on it and said "Dixie Trucker". Now I'm not from the south. I was born in Chicago, and I've split my life between there and L.A. So most of my exposure to southern culture has been on the road, from television, and my country ass cousins. But like most black people, the confederate flag represents the absolute worst of American culture. So the fact that this man was eyeballing me, and rockin this on his shirt, I was absolutely on guard. Yes, I could have just been misreading this experience. However, some of these are unmistakable.

Speaking of T-Shirts, there are almost no words to describe what this fool is wearing. (For those who can't read it, it says "Nigger Please! Its called a White House!). I mean, I understand that your candidate lost, but have some respect. Its unfortunate that nearly 150 years after slavery was abolished, there are still people with attitudes like this. I guess the last remaining segregated club has just been infiltrated. Can't call it.

I caught this little article the other day. Apparently after the election, while a large percentage of us were celebrating Barack's victory, someone got the bright idea to start an assassination pool. Yes, in Portland, Maine, a General Store had a sign outside that read "Osama Obama Shotgun Pool." The saddest part about this is that it plays to Blacks biggest fears, someone will assassinate Obama. Yes its in the back of all of our minds, but I think its very ridiculous for white people to joke around, and take such a subject so lightly.

The last example is one that hit me very hard. Last week, I turned on Fox News, and across the screen it said something to the effect of "Al-Qaeda uses racial slur to describe Obama". Instantly I was pissed. I mean, what's the first thing that comes to your mind? They called Barack a nigga. Well if only it could have been so simple. Of course I just needed to know. I couldn't wait for Bill O'Reilly to eventually get to the story. So I hit the Internet. Damn, it was so much worse. Essentially, Al-Qaeda's second in command, Ayman Al Zawahiri called Barack a "House Nigger", and also said that he was a disgrace to Malcolm X. I was livid. I can't front, if I was in the military, I would have asked to be shipped to Iraq or Afghanistan just to fight these fools. I mean, how the hell can you not even be from this country, and have the audacity to go there? You're gonna call someone a "House Nigger" and essentially you're lower than dog shit on the evolutionary scale. Please. Don't worry, you'll pay for that one bruh.

My friend and I have been having a long running discussion: Were we really ready for a Black President? I want so badly to say that we were. Examples such as these, I do believe, expose that we truly were not. Yeah well, its here, and its real. And some people obviously need to wake up, and get their act together. Because going forward, everything has changed. And I think that's exactly what Barack wanted.


--DrizaDre--

13 comments:

Mrs. Mary Mack said...

I have many fear sand expectations from other people (not Barack- I feel he will do fine). I fear that people will not get past their ignorant perceptions of "all black people" to allow him to do the job he was CHOSEN for. As someone in the south I can say "the day after" was tense in my neck of the woods which voted primarily Democratic. The reactions from many of my white co-workers let me know that even though they agreed with the ideals that Obama represented, they weren't quite SURE of the result of their agreement. Only time will tell if attitudes change. And al-queda has it's nerve!Do they know that people call them sand n****s?!

Kingsmomma said...

Hey Brothers Blog,

I think for everyone who has a problem with the confederate flag should also have a problem with the american flag since all that pain, torture and discrimination occured under the stars and stripes so many of us pledge allegiance to.

With that said, America was ready but there are a few people that tend to resist change. Whether they are ready or not He is here.

QuietStorm said...

I think there are more ppl who are ready than who arent. Those who arent need to get it togethr bcuz they are wastin their energy on resentment and racism.

But racism will always exist...the fact that Barack won hopefully means that its decreasing and will continue to decrease.

Miss.Stefanie said...

The very sad part of this whole election is that, sure people for once saw past color...however---people who don't will do everything in their power just to make sure he doesn't succeed. Not only do we have to worry about or economy and our future...but now we gotta worry about the ones who are racist assassinating him. Obama---the one we waited for for so long. The one who brings us hope. The one who changed history. Who gives us a clear view that ANYTHING is possible. Someone is bound to pull some shady moves towards him. That is the sad part. People are still as ignorant, still see nothing but color, still small-minded and still waiting to bring others down if they cant have their way. Such a shame.

houstonmacbro said...

Racism sux.

nil said...

I BELIEVE THAT THE NATION IS READY FOR OUR ELECT... THERE ARE ALWAYS A FEW STRAGGLERS WHO ARE RESISITANT TO CHANGE... AND I TEND TO JUST IGNORE THE IGNORANCE.

Unknown said...

Barack is not in the best position because he inherited a SHIT LOAD OF what BUSH Eff-ed up!
So....in fact we can only wait to see what he can accomplish with 4 yrs.... Is it going to be enough time to change the economy and Americ's standing with other nations or is the time to little , becuase in two yrs Obama will still not be able to cure this disaster....we must be patient and wait for him to make moves... Be supportive and Know why we all voted for him..bnecause in the end we trust him or atleast we all thought we did!

A said...

I think its gonna get worse before it gets better. There are always gonna be people who reject change and go against it but we gotta move forward and before long (hopefully) something good will come out of it.

Anonymous said...

nice blog...

Bang Bang said...

Oh puh-lease....
Racism will be here til the end of time. Certain white people are threatened that the balance might change and not in their favor. I'm sure they won't assasinate Barack,

1. People will lose their shits and riot
2. People are poor, therefore desperate
3. because that will ignite WWIII and China will gladly take America's Place as top dog.

Let the confederate flag go...

I'm not wearing T-shirts with Al Gore on it
I don't have my old phone bill with american idol contestant clay aiken vote # listed...

Just Jasmine made a good point but at the end of the day we won. Get Over It!!!LOL

AL-Qaeda jus said that to get a little airplay since we forgot about them.

Yes I wrote a sermon, I enjoyed it.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

well the supposition that he is superman or a savior is feculent and i hope we as a collective are a lil more eridute that that, andwho happy nappy thanks giving

desirae! said...

i know i'm maaad late, but i just had to comment on this. i didn't hear a word about those idiots starting a barack assasination pool. to be so bitter and ignorant and angry, i kinda feel sorry for them. every time i see barack on some live feed i'm always on guard. it happened to lincoln, both kennedys, and king. great men seem to make those lesser of him, feel even smaller and size.

because they are.

i just hope that this time will be different. for everyone's sake, not just barack. i can't imagine what it would be like the moment news spread that obama was dead. actually, i can.

and that terrifies me.

so we just gotta have faith. and maybe these people can pick the stupidity off of themselves.

ToshaRenelle said...

This is one of those situations that it won't do anyone in the world any good to worry about what could happen, speculate on whether or not we were ready for a Black Prez, etc.

This is in the hands of God, if one so believes and I believe. Barack said on the Barbara Walters Interview 2 weeks ago that he is not fearful because of his strong faith in God. We all should roll with that and continue to bask in the amazingness that this moment in time is!