The Dream Is Not Complete

The faces of elderly black women and men, young African-Americans, young college students and a wide diverse group of hopeful Americans made last night a special and historical one.

Being 60, I remember the days when a high school in Little Rock was blocked by the Arkansas governor in attempt to keep black students from entering the fully segregated school. I remember Bull Connors “sicking” dogs and fire hoses on young men and women attempting to sit at a Woolworths’ lunch counter. I remember 3 dead civil rights workers, a church bombed, white hoods and burning crosses. I remember returning from patrol in the northern region of Vietnam to hear Martin Luther King was assassinated. He followed in the tragic footsteps of a President elected as a transformational figure who was also assassinated.

Living in this time of history I never envisioned a black American would be elected to the office of President and live in the White House built by slaves two centuries ago. Too many times I have witnessed the cruelty of racist hate from the perspective of a white male who felt sick and ashamed when it occurred. Too many times I’ve heard the terrible words used to demean and hurt men, women and children of color.

I recall making many journeys to Erie, Pennsylvania to visit my wife’s family during the 1990’s and early part of this century that I heard these hurtful words and characterizations come from citizens of that city. I felt at times I had entered a time warp and returned to those terrible days of the 1960’s. Last night 59% of Erie voted for a black President.

So last night was indeed special. And I felt tears rolling down my cheeks despite my cynical view of our world and the politics of our nation. I remembered reading the struggles described by Richard Wright, Ralph Ellison and Malcolm X. I remembered the harassment of my friends Butch Mayfield and Larry Hales by racist police. Last night there was jubilation with tears in places all over this nation by even the most cynical of us.

Barack Obama is the President-elect of this nation. And the celebration of history should not be obscured by the fears of the future. Even I will stop today and savor the historical significance of November 4, 2008. It was a day of redemption and one of lifting an oppressive force just a little off the backs of those oppressed for so long. It was the beginning of the end of the nightmarish years of fanatics of Christianity wielding far too much power over the rest of us who believe Christ was not like they describe.

Still, the cynicism seeps into my mind. Why do I fear there is some assassin waiting to be sent to kill this historical figure and spark violence like that of 1968? Why does my mind drift to thinking about young men and women wearing uniforms who will still be in Afghanistan and Iraq carrying out the duties of the corporate masters’ imperialistic occupation? Why do I think about the people of those nations and all the other nations that have been burdened and bludgeoned by America’s greed and militaristic nature? Why do I think about the many children who no longer play on the playgrounds and streets of their bombed nations but instead reside in the burial grounds of their ancestors? Why do I think about the continued racism that seeps throughout this nation causing the dreams of young blacks and Hispanics to dissipate into hatred or depression?

I don’t like to think these things but history and experience has taught me to always look for the trip wires of booby-traps that can kill dreams and hopes. History and experience has taught me the Democrats and Republicans are poisonous to the true ideal of democracy and freedom.

We can fool ourselves to believe a black face in the slave built residence of the leader of the American nation will transform us into a better world and nation but the truth is overtly evident should we care to look at it. The need for activism and a unified movement toward peace and justice has not diminished. It may well have grown ever more critical and necessary.

The oppressive cadre of politicians and tycoons wielding power will expect us to be lulled into the notion the dream of Dr. King has been fulfilled. They will expect us to think we have just proven democracy is alive and well in America.

They expect this despite the incarceration of so many young black men in the prisons of this nation. They expect this despite the continued police brutality all across this land. They expect this despite the urban blight caused by years and years of neglect for the poor and disenfranchised. They expect this despite the uninsured families unable to access adequate healthcare. They expect this despite the back door draft and the perpetual wars. They expect this despite the dismal infant mortality rates in this nation. They expect this despite the disparity of educational opportunity for the rich and poor. They expect this despite the ever growing homeless and hungry men, women and children all across this land. They expect this despite the failure of treating mental illness adequately and humanely.

Obama has spoken about these issues but his record belies that he is anything but a torch-bearer for the wealthy and corporate oppressors. He speaks eloquently and gives us hope but we must continue to keep our cynical guard up to prevent further expansion of the oppressive rule of the shadow government this nation has always had; the money men behind the scenes with their own agenda of power and domination.

Let us celebrate the historical event that took place last night but let us not accept it as a bone thrown to a hungry dog to keep it from barking and howling. Let us continue to bark and howl and do whatever necessary to truly effect the changes that will transform this nation into one that is supportive of peace and justice. Let us bark and howl for this nation to remember we are a people responsible for over consumption that pollutes the air of our children and grandchildren. Let us growl about American proliferation of weapons throughout the world that could destroy us all in a moment of madness. Let us unleash the corporate stranglehold on our world and insist on becoming true citizens of the world, sharing our wealth and ideals with all our brothers and sisters.

Many will look like our new President in color and many will be diversely different but all are brothers and sisters we should embrace if we truly want peace and justice. Many will follow the religions of their ancestors and many will only accept Christ. And if we Christians truly believe in the words and deeds of Christ we will embrace the entire world as brothers and sisters.

The selection of Obama to lead the American nation is only one small step toward us joining the world in a cooperative effort to solve the over-riding issues of peace and justice for our world. The flag of nationalism must be replaced by the embrace of a new world effort to care about all people, regardless of nation or flag.

Peace be with you

Wm. Terry Leichner, RN
Denver VVAW member
Combat vet, peace activist, human