KWENU! Our culture, our future

Thank you, America

Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo

rudolfokonkwo@aol.com

Saturday, June 7,  2008

Tuesday was good for Obama but it was especially good for me in many ways. For on Tuesday, America made me see its promises live. It made me believe in a very endearing way in these United States.

Tuesday was good for America because many like me finally got the proof that in America all men are valued. That with hard work and fortitude, everyman’s potential can be realized in these United States.

Tuesday was good for me because now I can finally relax. I can confidently build my nest in America; blast to high pitches my sweet songs for America; bag my shells from the old country for a yard sale and; buy myself a befitting tomb near the banks of the Mississippi River.

Tuesday was good for my children too, Ijeamaka and Ogonna, for they will grow up in a country where the past is atoned and the future is reasoned. Where if you do not agree with the phases of the moon, you can get a ladder and climb up to repair it.

Because of Tuesday, inside a store, I will now be seen not just as a possible thief but also as a potential presidential candidate.

Because of Tuesday, out in the street, I will now be seen not just as a possible gang member but also as a potential great president.

Because of Tuesday, in my dreams, I will cruise up in the sky and even beyond, soaring and singing about the limitless of my reach.

Because of Tuesday, in painful moments, I will update the history books of my mind, saying that though my forefathers were enslaved, my children can be the emancipators of our nation.

Because of Tuesday, inside my heart, I will rejoice as often as I want for finally the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have come to pass.

Tuesday made Malcolm smile in his grave, the way he used to before his teacher told him he could only be a carpenter.

Tuesday made Medgar Evers grin in his vault, the way he used to while praising the Lord before he was shot by hater’s sniper. And so did Rev. George Wesley Lee, Lamar Smith, Emmett Louis Till, Vernon Ferdinand Dahmer and many others.

Tuesday made Addie MaeCollins, Denise McNair, Carle Robertson and Cynthia Wesley all glow up in paradise just as they were glowing when Ku Klux Klan fire bomb went off and consumed them at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.

Tuesday made many who died in the struggle for equal rights look down from heaven and joyously exclaim, “That’s my country.”

Tuesday made many beaten, jailed, and hurt in the fight for Civil Right to baptize their badges of honor into badges of forgiveness.

Tuesday was a new day across the world because of the special way America stretched its series of Only in America feats.

America said to the world, I appreciate all my children and I let them go however high they want to go.

America said to the world, I outsource not just works but also dreams and ideals of democracy which have continued to keep me special amongst the nations of the world.

America said to the Black world, within your ranks are also the ones who will erase the memory of Mugabe, Abacha, Idi Amin, Bokassa and Mobutu.

America said to the rest of the world, handle all your children well, especially your black children, for they can bring healing, transfiguration and sunshine like no other.

Thank you, America. From the deepest chambers of my heart I say, thank you.

Thank you for half the job is done. You have shown courage and grace over doubts and fear.

Thank you, America. Now let us take it to its logical end – 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Thank you. I will continue to watch you, America. I will continue to watch what you do with my Obama. And I wait to say the greatest thank you of all come November 5.

Thank you.

www.kwenu.com: Simply surprise yourself yonder!