As we enter into our first month of the New Year and more importantly a New White House administration, we should pause and look back at 2008 and try to predict just how the events over the past year will effect our country and our future. There is an old saying that "time heals all wounds" and our country has suffered many wounds over the past few years-wounds so deep that if the saying is true, it will take much time. Time that we may not have.
If we look closely at the more prominent issues arising in the Presidential campaigning throughout 2008 and the pros and cons for electing President Obama, I think we might find it easier than we expect to uncover the viable predictions for 2009.
The first issue was the fact that President Obama is black (or is he white or both), either way, his color was an issue for many people. Some may not admit it now that he has been elected. Our country-at least most of the country-has been trying for hundreds of years to heal the wound of racism. I think President Obama will give us that chance now. Or at the very least, we will have come one step closer to ridding ourselves of this terrible blight on our country.
Another issue that bothered many people was in his name. He was a baby that by his birth alone endowed him with a name that to many Americans stood for terrorism, tyranny, genocide, and all manners of foreign atrocities. Do I think he revered the men who hijacked passenger planes and crashed them into buildings and fields killing hundreds of innocent people in the name of some misconstrued ‘Holy War'? No. A name does not make a man-a man makes his name. Obama has co-sponsored legislation that will expand federal jurisdiction to encompass hate crimes. In 2009 I think our new President will go far to bring unity to our varied races and nationalities.
Religion, another cause for concern last year in a country that mostly prides itself in religious tolerance. Obama says he is Christian and I for one believe him. An obvious ploy by his father's Islamic heritage to claim that Obama still belongs to them is just that a ploy. Of course, they would readily see the advantage of saying that the American President is of the Islamic Faith. Call me a cynic, but I find it hard to believe that all Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists believe that the killing of women, children, and innocent people will be an automatic rite of passage into Heaven. As Christians we are taught by our Bible to love everyone-including our enemies. Even Jesus was a Jew, condemned by his some of his own people. Obama's good works for our country will account for themselves in a time of many different predictions.
Obama's promise for Change will be the one great factor that will represent all the great causes in a word. If our country needs anything at all, it is change. We could not tolerate another four or eight years of the ‘same ole, same ole'. I have faith that this will be the change we need. Some say Obama doesn't have the experience that it will take to pull this great nation from a tar-pit of debt and distrust. But his fund-raising expertise alone should give us a warm-fuzzy for the belt-tightening months ahead.
Whatever your predictions for our New Year are, I pray that all the goods ones turn out to be right ones. May God be with us on our long journey to recovery. Let us pray.
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Sandra E. Graham, author, AMOS JAKEY and NICOLINA published by American Book Publishing. I also write book reviews for authors through Book Pleasures. Visit my website for more information on my books that are in print now and reviews I have written.
http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com
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