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On Wednesday morning, we begin again November 3, 2004
I woke up this morning about the same time as the day before. I looked in my mirror, and nothing had changed. The world around me, in Chicago, Illinois seems much the same as it did on Monday, and the Monday before. The day, in fact, is clear and calm—a beautiful November morning.
As I think back on the angst of last night’s election reports, I am calmed by thoughts that we too easily forget: Ronald Reagan was president for eight years. Hitler reigned long enough to change the world—and certainly the world of the Jewish race; and, ah…slavery…400 years of human bondage and degradation. You get my point. What `don’t kill us’ makes us stronger—for the next battle.
The world, America, and certainly the black community has been through it all before. We’ve experienced enough ups and downs to know that on Wednesday morning after the election—no matter who wins—we start all over again, forging our place, reminding the new leader that we won’t sit quietly as the world revolves around us. By now, we should know to take a deep breath and feel good that we did all in our power to bring change to our world. That’s all we can do. Now, we begin all over again, doing what we can to make the world the best it can be for All of us.
It was a hard-won victory. One that pundits assure us made history in many ways. Not the least being the almost 60% turnout—probably the second largest in modern history. Silly Democrats, we thought high turnout meant just us.
Whether the rest of us believe the best man won in this presidential race or not is now a moot point. The question is a harder one: Can our newly elected president do something different, better than the last four years? Can he live up to the expectations of those who voted him in?
George Bush is not inheriting the same America he inherited in December, 2000. Until we find out different, most of us believe this was a real election—that he was elected, not selected this time around. But he should also be forewarned: his votes last night were as much votes of desperation as they were of sheer loyalty. Americans are scared – for so many things… for our lives, literally. But, also for our economic wellbeing, and that of our children.
We know the answer to the question, but it still has to be asked: Can this newly-elected president fix a broken, divisive, embattled America? That is what the votes were about, Mr. President—Americans seeking a return to the good old days.
Who, except the foreign affairs pundits can explain what it means that 80 percent of the world sat—like half of America—on pins and needles throughout last night’s election hoping that change would come? What does it mean when exit interviews tell us those who voted for George Bush overwhelmingly did not represent our future, but our past? That his followers represented—not a diverse America, but a vision of an antiquated America, no longer operational in this new global society?
If two of Americas’ most popular modern-day presidents—John F. Kennedy and William Jefferson Clinton—can be dubbed the Presidents of hope, confidence and optimism…what is it that our newly-elected president can truly offer America?
Presidential elections, with all their importance, are not the final word. Even when we get what we want; a man we believe in sitting in the oval office. America, and certainly black America, must never place all our hope, our confidence and optimism in one man’s hands. Our responsibility is to be vigilant, in our own back yards, helping make America better. Martin did, Sojourner did, Daisy did, Frederick did—in the best of political climates…and the worst. Let them be our guides.
Janis F. Kearney is a Chicago writer, former journalist and diarist to President Bill Clinton. A Harvard W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow, she is currently completing William Jefferson Clinton: From Hope to Harlem; and a personal memoir, Cotton Field of Dreams. Kearney Communications 5138 S. Kenwood Ave.#2 Chicago, IL 60615 (773) 493-2007 --ph (773) 493-5747 -- fax janisfk@aol.com
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