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As the spirit of Barack Obama’s abuelita hovered above Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois 110,000 people were fixated on the Eyes of the Prize. An African American was elected as the 44th President of the United States of América, shattering myths of dialectic of inferiority and superiority. It was an occasion that will go down in history; a nonviolent revolution chronicled as one of América’s greatest political feats. Democracy, an evolutionary process was tested passed with flying colors so to speak, reaching another pinnacle of greatness.
Cynics, who sarcastically asked, what do community organizers do, received a belated Halloween treat first hand as to what a well oiled machine can accomplish when it is primed, pumped and put into action. They are no longer naysayers; with mouths left open in dismay they retreated to their camps, wondering what it would take to replicate this within their own party.
Millions of people gathered in front of television sets, some met on main streets in large American cities; other joined family and friends at community centers where the collective energy could be felt; and still groups from nations throughout the world, awaited with intense anxious speculation about América’s future as a leader in global affairs. Led by Ann Nixon Cooper, a 106-year-old African American who had cast her first ballot ever, Americans gasped a deep sense of relief when it was reported that California’s electoral votes had been thrown into the coffers in favor of Obama, catapulting him into victory.
Reality has not yet fully set in as doubt and denial enter the fray. Many unconsciously believed, “That it could never happen.” New myths will have to be developed or as a skeptical social scientist and friend of mine stated, “this is just an anomaly.”
The ultimate test of faith had believers cringing as flashbacks of 400 years of historical slavery, savagery, brutal killings and forced segregation impinged upon collective wounded spirits whose time had come. Many stood with hands folded and eyes closed as teardrops silently fell on green grass as it transitions into the color yellow brought about by a new season. And just as the grass is turning color, America is turning the page for a new beginning, a new day.
This wonderful fall night América’s Government lived up to its creed. The wet ink momentarily dried as the words printed on one of our sacred documents of the people, for the people and by the people for one long moment came to life. A stream of consciousness like a beautiful rainbow glowed over dark shadows of racism, a healing substance meant to seal the open wounds that had divided this great nation since its inception.
The time for a reconstruction has arrived as the time for deconstruction begins. President Barack Obama talked about humility in the face of greatness. He spoke of the “enduring power of our ideals,” as they are turned into collective action, the responsibility of coming together for the greater good to build solid communities.
Deconstructing an economic ideology where the only thing that trickles down are tears of the suffering, is a daunting task, a stark assignment in an information nation where political gladiators are taught to fight to the finish. One of the contradictions in democracy, especially with a one winner take all philosophy, is that as much as 49% of the population can detest the outcome, needing a nudge to come back to the flock. Obama extended his hand out to his opponent John McCain for his contributions to this country and his relentless patriotism. He invited Mr. McCain to come in through the doors that seemingly feel closed when victors often times transform their enemies into the vanquished.
President Obama’s message was simple. There are no losers in a unified nation. What are needed during times of perceived disunity are bridge-builders. Bringing back losers into the flock is the greatest challenge that winners in political duels face. One of the true tests of a leader is how they behave after they lose, not after they win. Great leaders can be magically transformed into great healers following political battles. It requires open doors, welcome mats and genuine open arms.
American political culture is built with an incessant need to be victorious. There is no shame in losing, especially if you have fought fair and within the established rules. The emotional trauma after defeat many times gnawing away at the collective conscience of the losers is coming to terms with whether you fought fairly and with integrity. This is a matter of moral conscience that the beholder must bear. Obama cannot answer this one. This is left up to those who entered the battlefield with the old adage that “anything is fair in love and war,” where one believes that there are no rules, only collateral damage when the contest has ended.
¡Que Viva Barack Obama, hasta la victoria total!
Dr. Ramón Del Castillo is an Independent Journalist.
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