[backstory]
Tuesday, October 28, 2009; four of the best friends, [at that time] ventured off to see Barack Obama. [one of my biggest inspirations] We walked from Norfolk State University to Harbor Park, feeling the energy of the world and wanting to relive [in our own way] the monumental moment of past generations. [Martin Luther King Jr.] We waited in line for hours huddled up together, brought pins and took pictures. I have never [and probably will never] feel anything like it again. [not in this lifetime] long story short- after the speech we got to shake Obama's hand, just before he was elected President. [The moment that made me view everything differently] I was thrilled, inspired, giddy, overwhelmed, grateful, astonished... [the list goes on] I read Dreams from My father and only appreciated this great man [my mentor whether he knows it or not] more and more...
[back to the story, I feel like I'm rambling and am not nearly taking as much time to articulate this epic moment half as eloquently as i should...] so, yeah, I often feel conflicted as what I should do with my life and tell people, [half jokingly] that I owe it to Obama to go to law school. The fact of the matter is, that i do indeed believe I owe it to the first Black President of the United States of America to go to law School; to be connected with the community of this world and affect change; to widen my horizon prospectively; to attain knowledge in every way possible. [i could go on, but wont.] I feel it would be completely selfish of me to become an actor without at least pursuing a degree of higher education and defaming the names of the ancestors whose backs I stand on. [thats heavy ya'll read it again.]
Padre brought something to my attention earlier today as he reminded me, "You don't owe it to Obama you owe it to me" he was completely right as we continued to discuss the issue, and i say to you all, [but will use myself as to keep it personal and not step on any toes]
I owe not only Barack Obama a degree of higher learning in law [my choice]
I owe Martin Luther King Jr;Malcolm X,;Rosa Parks;Hill Harper; Angela Bassett;Cornell West; Sojourner Truth; Oprah Winfrey... [okay you get the picture, I'm not gonna talk your head off]
I do however, wish to say that as a society and the Black community we forget the connection we have to each other and past generations. I equate whole heartedly, not going to grad school to not voting [without any shame or regret] we [HAVE] to wake up and realize that its bigger than us and our own personal agenda's, its more than just substantiating myself as a prestigious Black man [ i could do that with any career] its about stabilizing and connecting the generations before me with those to come and making my mark on this world completely organic; For it is indeed [MY] (as in our) responsibility to prepare our backs for the next generation to stand on...
P E A C E .
This is very interesting but negroes have long time lacked a sense of community since the late 60s when we started to lose ourselves again. I feel like I owe it to my Della Reese and my Patti Labelle to become a force to be reckoned with as a vocalist and talent because they have done so much and worked so hard and still never received all that they deserved. However, when they leave this world, they should at least know that their work has not been pointless and it has touched someone in some profound way. That person is me. The proof is in the talent.
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