Are We There Yet?
Posted October 17, 2008 · Ejike Okpa II
Folks
Don’t read too much into this election. It is a clear cut. There is no historical guidance either because no Black person has ever come this close. While there are all kinds of sentiments about OBAMA, Americans are not ‘dummies’ when they want something different. While it is not OVER until the fat lady sings, it looks very good for the Brother. Thus far, he is having a great campaign, and is a cut above the ordinary. His center stage makes all the difference.
Even if all the Blacks vote OBAMA, that will not get him over the top. His candidacy is talked about in many living rooms and we would be surprised a lot of non-blacks are equally if not more excited about him and are ready for the CHANGE.
In election, we cannot predict what others will do because it is still a secret exercise and couple that with the man-made electronic devices that count the VOTES in some quarters, and one could end up thinking something ‘sad’ may happen. That is always the case. We do what we need to do and that is VOTE; and encourage anyone we know that share in our excitement to vote accordingly, and the rest we will see is HISTORY.
Often we non-whites get too much into what ‘whites’ are going to do, and lose sight of what we need to do first. They too have concerns and are worried as well. If we look at the real numbers, we will see without the ‘white’ support OBAMA would not have come this far – New Hampshire set the tone, a state that is still homogenously white.
In this election, black pastors that traditionally appear with national candidates have not be seen around as OBAMA approach is different from that of Jackson and Sharpton, Reverends who campaigned for nomination. There was no way they were going to make it beyond their neighborhood appearances because America will never elect a member of clergy to such an office. The last time a member of the clergy made it to Congress was in the 70s, and he had to resign because the Catholic Church was opposed an ordained person having elected political views: Real clergies are expected to be neutral. So while we may find some historical facts, OBAMA is a new history and he is establishing the new going forward.
For those in Nigeria awaiting celebration, it is encouraging. But I would hope that some day in no distant future that the world, say in Africa, is toned in on who is going to be Nigeria’s president and get excited about who they elect. It is sad that the world’s most populous black nation that should set a positive tone for Blacks the world over, is run as a PETTY CASH operation whereby folks do as they wish. There is no consequences for bad behavior in Nigeria!
At more than 140 million, Nigeria is the only country in that ream of size, that is run poorly because it’s standing is dismal. Dismal in that infrastructure is nothing to write about. At a luncheon where former Shell Country Chair for US John Hofmeister spoke, and I asked about Nigeria and Shell, his comment was so dismissive people chuckled at his answer. Nothing new, but Nigeria as a political entity does not excite anyone and Nigerians should consider that and elevate their standing.
As Nigeria goes, so goes Africa, may not hold true any more as many African nations are striving to be successful while Nigeria is caught up in malfeasance at a level that makes some nauseate. Nigeria is the poorest largest oil exporter in the world. When Nigeria oil revenue earnings are compared on per capita basis, it is the lowest of all OPEC member nations. Isn’t that something?
As no one else can stand up and speak for blacks worldwide, since its largest concentration – Nigeria, is malfunctioning, who bails the cats? Blacks in Central/South America are still disenfranchised and no one speaks for them. Even though Pele is a soccer superstar, he cannot run for office in his home country. Imagine that.
Our most exposed and advanced set, Blacks in US; are consumed by domestic issues that they hardly get involved in helping the affairs of other blacks throughout the world except during Apartheid. We need to change our standing and improve on our presence on the world stage.
Glad champagne would be popped when OBAMA wins, but after that, what else?
It is just ‘not’ getting into office, it is using the tools and resources available to such an office to effect a new direction. I used to think that if a Black ever became Secretary of State, Africa will benefit. Well, we had Powell and Rice about to wrap up, but no show yet. US Secretaries of State, are powerful persons and at a time they were the ones that determined how well a foreign country did before any president signed off on the plan. I was hoping that an African country would have become a petty project of any one of them. At least Powell, a Jamaican-American, could have done something for that part of the world. No way. So folks, while we celebrate us being getting into office, the difference is that just being there may have a symbolic value, but folks are looking for substantive benefits to help improve and restore the dignity of man.
We Blacks, no matter the geography of our birth, are still last on the list when ethnic successes are compared. Right or wrong, it lies in our hands to strive and hold those we elect accountable. Between God and Man, is Government and government is Headed by a President or whatever else we call them. Therefore, they affect our lives on earth and we must not take for granted how their role influences our well being.
Celebrate all we want, we must take on the challenges and do more than just a feeling of ‘Our Man Downtown’.
I leave you with this:
‘Experience is undoubtedly a great teacher, yet it may be counterproductive if what has been cultivated and refined are bad habits. The point is that excellence is the product of the diligent study and application of sound principles, not simply the accumulation of time logged in.’ TW Wakeling 1979.
Now add this:
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‘No rules in the handbooks are capable in themselves of making brilliant performances out of those who intend to dispense with practice and exercise’ Dionysius of Halicarnassus ca. 30 B.C
I hope you see the need why we must hold ourselves to higher standards. It has nothing to do with lack of love but rather; ‘is that all we are capable of’?
May our days be fruitful as we pursue those things that will not only bring us elation but add content to others who may be inspired accordingly; this of course, is mine!
Ejike Okpa II
Next Generation Fellow