We all have our views. No one will always agree on everything all the time. But we can still choose to live with dignity and respect, and honor one anothers decision. We can agree to disagree.
With that said, here is my two cents:
I am a happy Black woman this night! I have seen history made. I have seen the dreams of my parents, grandparents and great grandparents come to fruition. I have many friends of various hues and ethnicity's and backgrounds. But, unless you have walked in my shoes and in the color of my skin, you don't know how much this night means for me. It far surpasses what I had hoped that I would see.
It was history in the making when Barack Obama made it on the ticket. It was a dream for many African Americans come true: to know that you still can dream and hope, and have a chance in this America.
I say that because, no one knows how it feels as a black person to be 75 years old, and called "boy". No one knows how it feels to be a 56 year old woman taking care of a white family, where the 10 year tells you what you better do, or else be fired and unable to care for your six children. I say this because, unless you were a black man coming home from the Vietnam war, fighting for your country, and while wearing your uniform, was told there was no job for you: that you were only good enough to shine shoes. Or to have taxi's pass you by, you wouldn't understand the hope that tonight gave.
Unless you were told as a black child that you would never amount to anything because black children were inferior, and all you could hope for was to be a maid, you don't understand. Unless you were grabbed off the street, and taken in a building, stripped naked and passed around as a sex toy, then defecated on, and thrown out in the street naked in the dead of winter, you wouldn't understand the depths of the meaning of this night.
Unless you were told that you couldn't come into a church, because "niggers" weren't allowed, and that God saw them as slaves and servants, you wouldn't understand the depths of liberation that one is feeling. Unless you were told that you have a choice between your husband and child, because they stood up for basic human rights couldn't understand the totality in spirit in such a night as this.
I can point these out, not because of what I have heard strangers say; but from real family accounts. My blood. My people. My family. And I dare anyone to say that they don't have a right to celebrate what has occurred here today. I dare anyone to even let it cross their lips that their God is greater than the God that we serve. I dare anyone to say, that because we may have supported Obama that we are less of a Christian or born again believer. I dare anyone to say that we are less than American. I dare you. Because it will be God that you answer to this time.
I give God the praise for what He has done. Because no matter what, I have believed and will continue to believe that God is still in charge. And, if you believe in God, and say that you love God, and that you serve a God that is loving, just and caring, then you would put aside your hateful words, and begin to see what God is showing you.
God is not a liar, neither is He the son of man that He should repent. (Numbers 19). God will do just what He says He will do. But, how can we say we love God and want what is right for this country, and harbor such hatred and mockery in our hearts and mouths? How can we say we love God and believe that God is in charge, if we can't keep ourselves from talking out both sides of our mouths? Since God knows our thoughts and our hearts, I wonder if He would be pleased with what He is seeing? And, if He decided to return tonight, would you go to heaven or to hell?
I cannot begin to tell you what went through my heart and my mind. I watched my mother cry with sheer joy; because she never thought she'd see this day. I heard excitement in my husband and brother's mouths, as black men, that I haven't heard in a long time. But at the same time, we are aware that we are going to have to keep our head high, and rise above the hate that we have already witnessed. The vile words that have already been written and spoken. That, with a heart of love and compassion, we must rise above the hatred that has already started to surface. Even here on Gather.
I love the friendships that I have here on Gather. I cherish each and everyone. Why?Because we are a people that can usually see each other for who we really are, and agree amicably to disagree. Yet, I see so many people tearing each other to bits with hateful words. This saddens me. We all don't agree. But we have managed to get along and still speak what's on our hearts.
Each week, the Lord gives me Reflections to write. I write as the spirit leads me to write. I don't write because I want points or accolades. I write because it's in my heart, and God says that some needs a word from Him that day. I write to encourage, and to let you know that, yes God loves you, and so do I. And that you have a friend that is praying for you. It is sincere, with no strings attached. My love for God and His ways supersedes all things in my life. My love for you all supersedes any difference we may have in opinions. Why? Because we ALL were given a precious gift from God: choice. The choice to believe what we believe. However, I take offense when we speak of loving God, and cannot show love and respect for one anothers choice.
If you supported McCain and Palin, that was your right to. But it didn't op me from loving you, or caring about you enough to lift you in my prayers. It didn't stop me from reading your posts or commenting (whenever I had the time) Why? Because I have learned to respect you as individuals with the right to choose.
Because I voted for Obama, does that make me persona-non-grata in your book? Does that mean we are no longer friends? I should pray not. But if it does, then so be it. But I will always keep you in my prayers.
Some may ask, as a born-again believer, a somewhat conservative, how I could possible have voted for Obama? I must stress, that it was not because he is black. As so many have assumed. That would be a diservice to myself, country and him. What I did was this: I prayed, and I went with my heart and what God spoke to "ME" about. My personal choice. There were things I disagreed with. But it didn't outweigh what I agreed with. There were things that I agreed with McCain with. In fact, I actually liked McCain, still do. But there were things I disagreed with that out weighted what I agreed with.
I have learned that no matter what one does in this life, there is only one person who decides if I have lived right and made the right choices, and that is God. My only judge. And I know that He has ordained this time to be so.
As I watched Senator McCain's concession speech, I saw the man that I had admired before this election season. But I also saw and heard the boo's and remarks from the crowd when Obama's name was mentioned. It saddened me. Because, these are the supposed, God fearing, God loving, God believing voters, who supposedly believed in equality and justice for all, and the decency and value of human life. However, I applaud McCain for his grace and warm remarks.
When I watched Barack Obama's speech, the crowd was silent, listening intently. And when Obama mentioned Senator MaCain's name, there were no boos, but cheers and praise. There were no hecklers or jeers. Just respect. And I wondered at that moment, just where the spirit of God was resting.
We don't always get what we want in this life. Our prayers are not always answered the way we want. But, God does answer--always. God is listening, and He is searching our hearts for true compassion, love, forgiveness, and the truth.
I am a proud Black woman tonight. Giving God all the praise. But, above all that, I am a proud, God fearing, American that knows that the perfect love of God casts out all fear, hate, and discord amongst friends.
I will always love the friends that God has brought into my life. I cherish each and everyone. And there is nothing that will keep me from getting on my knees every day and saying your name in prayer, and that God's bountiful blessings will manifest in your lives. Let us put away our hurt feelings and disappointments, and disagreements and remember why you became some one's friend.
God Bless. From one proud Black woman. I'm happy to be an American!
©2008. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.
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Comments: 22
From where I lay, I stand…so vigorous
and strong
And, let me say that for the sake of love,
I share more than just a rhapsody,
but an orchestration of song
complete with blues harp, violin and gong
Ricky J. Fico
Triumphs of Humanity: Creativity, Compassion & Commitment
I really appreciated the way you presented your thoughts and feelings which is always the case for you. Someday I hope to be able to do the same.
I personally did not vote for Obama but it was for issues that I saw were in my own eyes not in my best interest and I also prayed a lot for guidance in this election. The color of his skin never ever entered in to the picture. But most unfortunately I believe there are some out there for whom that was a deciding issue on both sides of the coin. But again Ruth the issues themselves were a concern for most on both sides and as you said we can agree to disagree. Now that this election is over maybe now people learn to step aside from the hatred and anger and start being friends again. Like you said there have been so many friendships destroyed here on Gather alone because of this and many of these people are christians. No christians are not exempt from the feelings that affect everyone such as anger and dissapointment but that does not give us the right to hatred and predudice.
My prayer is that the God who is genuinely concerned for the welfare of all no matter thier respective political or religious beliefs or the lack thereof may now begin to heal the wounds of broken friendships and bind us together in love and respect for one another. It has been a painful year for both sides, let us now rise above it and meet where we can and do agree as true Americans. May Gods holy and perfect will be done.
Love ya Ruthe and I thank God for bringing you in to my life. Maybe someday with Gods grace we will meet in person and laugh and cry and reminisce about our Gather experiences over dinner. But until that time should it ever occur know that you are truly loved and respected and prayed for daily by many people here in the Gather community.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
And congratulations on your new feelings. It is more than about time you were able to feel them.
A new and better America is dawning.
I'll be back later to post about my experience at the Polls!
And you aren't the only one that is proud this day.
As you state, we are all free to make our own choices. I wrote very strongly last nite and very emotionally, just as you write today. I do know that many races throughout history, not only in America, but worldwide, have suffered under slavery, bigotism and hate. I also know that to enslave anyone is wrong. While I, nor anyone I personaly know, has never held a slave ( nor would! ) none of us today are responsible for what happened so long ago. Yes.. there are people who hate because of skin color. Those people will be judged by our Maker. Perhaps He will also judge me as being in error. I've prayed many days and nights that He listen and "show me the way".
I'll keep this short, for today I am full of reflections. All in all.. regardless of what I said in my post last night... I do not wish to lose you as a friend. Your words always inspire me and many others, including those who brand me as a racist.
Take care and God Bless you forever.
I grew up so naive that you may have trouble believing this story. In the midwestern city where I went to college they prided themselves on the fact that there were no black people living there. The year before I attended, a black student had left the college because the barbers in town refused to cut his hair, and that sentiment ran throughout the city.
Nevertheless, when I went to medical school in Chicago, I felt the "racial barrier" had been broken. Black people held high positions in the hospitals and university. We had a small discussion group consisting of two pediatric psychiatrists and a handful of students. One of the psychiatrists was black.
A discussion came up about prejudice. I commented that I could see that as a problem in the South, but asked the black psychiatrist to what extent, if any, he had experienced in Chicago.
When he was able to speak, incredulous as he obviously felt, he asked, "What do you want to talk about? Do you want to talk about where you and your family can live? Do you want to talk about what hospitals will allow you to have staff privileges? Do you want to talk about where you're allowed to play golf?....
Politically, I fear that Pelosi will now have WAY too much power and I fear some of the expected results. That said, I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud that the brilliant, articulate Obama is our President Elect.
Some day whole groups of citizens won't need to cheer because a Catholic, a man of color, a woman...has been elected President. For now it's a milestone hard won by the efforts not only of black people.
Hugs, Rue.
i'm sooo happy our man won and is making history...
On this time in History, many things have and will change, We have the future to look forward to
I am grateful for the comments as I reflect upon them. We all get emotional sometimes, and allow them to rule our tongue...or our pens or keypads. And in this we are all the same: having something to say and wanting people to understand.
Although I am a proud Black woman--I am a proud person, period. Because I know and love God. I have love in my life. I know my purpose. And because I am free to do and enjoy each of the three.
I am not only proud for the dreams of African Americans coming true; but of all Americans. Because there were other races that stood side by side, walked hand in hand, and loss their lives just as we. And I honor them as well. For their spirit, their love, commitment, and sacrifice of peace and even their lives. None of this was possible alone. There had to be togetherness.
When I say you wouldn't understand "unless" you were...etc., it is meant that you couldn't understand the feeling, the raw emotion, the exhale of breath, that many black people have felt they have been holding in. It's like that kid on the playground that's waiting to get pick, and gets picked last. You hope and you pray, and you wish that someone would just choose you before you are the last one standing. You want to be accepted and chosen first, but never last or not at all; often times being told you have to sit this one out--too many people on the playing field.
It is like a burden has been lifted. The weight let out, and the body loosened. It gave the sense of belonging and acceptance based upon who we are on the inside. Rather than being judge by the color of our skin. It was like finally coming to your new home, and the mortgage was paid in full. It's yours now. And no one can take it from you. Because the bill has been paid in full.