A Matter of Perspective

We are witnesses of triumph and tragedy this first week in November. What is seen as triumph and what is seen as tragedy is not always agreed upon by all. Sometimes it is obvious, such as a beloved co-worker's home that burned to the ground late this week, and the sister of another co-worker that lost her battle with cancer earlier in the week. Sometimes the conclusion is not as obvious and becomes a matter of one's perspective. This historic election was certainly that. Triumph or tragedy?

I know, myself, that I was moved to tears starting on Monday evening, after viewing a special by Frontline, The Choice 2008, and the tears came and went over the course of the next two days. As a result of Barack Obama's moving victory and the shocking tragedies that struck many families throughout the world this week, definitely a rainstorm of tears (of overwhelming joy and piercing loss) was shed throughout the world.

I see (along with many others) Obama's clear election win, securing the popular and electoral vote (as a biracial/African American) as the historic event it is. Over the last two decades I have spent numerous time researching the history of African Americans in this country, from the early days of slavery through the early 1970s, particularly the Civil Rights Movement. I know that when Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed, he was just beginning the fight against economic inequalities in this country. Since his and Malcolm X's assassinations, there has not been a powerful, far-reaching leadership of black/African Americans or minorities, in general. That is why I believe the comment "Is he the one?" was brought up again in reference to Barack Obama. I found some anti-Obama rhetoric on-line regarding this remark that suggested people were looking for "a messiah or savior" in Obama. I do not believe that is the case, in a spiritual sense, but I do believe people were hoping for powerful, persuasive leadership to come to black americans for direction and motivational change beyond what occurred in the 1960s.

My personal opinion is without the move of God on people's hearts, this man would not have been elected to serve as president of our country. I realize that some may strongly disagree with this opinion, believing either that Obama had some sort of "mystical" impact on people-a cult-like following of radical socialists and naive idealists "deceived more by what Obama didn't say than by what he did say" or that he won simply because he ran an effective, well-organized, deliberate campaign. But it is too hard for me to believe that he won on his campaigning, ideas, and character alone, because I know that racism in this country is truly alive and well. I have had the unfortunate, eye-opening experience of witnessing it, firsthand, on quite a few occasions mostly since the 1980s. People may now know, for the most part, what is racially politically correct, but that does not mean that the heart of the matter has changed substantially. The amazing thing is that Barack Obama is a man born from the union of a caucasian american and an african, and despite the fact that some Americans, at times, continue to frown on and disapprove of interacial, and interreligious relationships, he was somehow able to connect with voters, all across our nation. I do not view Obama as a savior (political or spiritual), but I do believe his election and position, as President of the United States, will make a powerful positive impact on many people who see themselves as disenfranchised. I believe that he has not only the voters of America to thank, but the Creator of the Universe.

I encourage you to view the Frontline program, if you can find the time. After watching this documentary, I was reminded of why I hold great respect for both McCain and Obama. Frontline provided historical background and a non-partisan view on both men. I know the election is over, but here's the link if you are interested: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/choice2008/

In the last 4-5 days I have heard much naysaying, and yes, there is reason for concern about our world in many aspects. Everyone seems to have their own passionate agenda. And we can all run around pursuing our own "issues" with much abandon, blaming others for what we can and can't accomplish, possibly spinning our wheels or rhetoric, or we can heed this truth..."if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (I Chronicles 7:14). I was truly humbled by what happened on election day, and compelled to seek God's face diligently, not only for what change may come out of and to Washington D.C., but to our own lives and how we, personally, can impact those around us daily.

Now to the original reason I wanted to post my opinions this evening. Positive viewing experiences!!! I hear many complain about the erosion of TV viewing, and, yes, there may be much to complain about! But we all have a choice to watch (or not watch) what is on...be it network TV, cable, or DVD/movies, etc. In fact there are many interesting and positive TV programs out there. One of my favorites is Extreme Makeover: Home Edition! This program is awesome and a testament to making a positive difference in people's lives. We are all responsible to do more than just sit on our butts in front of the TV or computer. (Possibly if you are complaining about the lack of quality programming, you need to invest your time elsewhere...for example the world around you.) I have to say that Obama's election has placed in me a conviction to do more to make a difference in the world around me! Not to mention guys like Ty Pennington and all the people who come out to help build homes for deserving families/families faced with unusual challenges or committed to making a difference in their community/world! I encourage you to check out a little history on Ty on Wikipedia and to check out the show, if you haven't already.
Here are the links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ty_Pennington
http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=index

Also I watched a cool show this evening on PBS. It was a documentary on penguins in Africa. I had watched the March of the Penguins earlier this year. It was incredibly informative and stunning! The PBS documentary tonight - Wild! Penguin Invasion
When penguins takeover a popular South African beach resort, laughter, fun and conflict ensue - was more light hearted and actually pretty funny. One part, showed the impact (again) that everyday people can have when coming together to address a potential tragedy. (I tried to find a link to the show, but was unsuccessful.)

You can't convince me that one has to compromise one's values in order to be entertained! There are many good programs out there. It depends on where you are looking!

Be a part of the solution

You have/had until October 6, 2008 at midnight to register to vote...hopefully you will be a part of the solution. Vote on Nov 4th! Finding out about polling places is easy as accessing a search engine and the push of a button. Ahhh...the internet is a plethera of information!!! There are so many sites and blogs to visit regarding the presidential campaign.

I have to say this quick...I was ABSOLUTELY AMAZED to see the enthusiasm of the young regarding this campaign. I am writing of the young people in detention. Believe it or not they are hungry for information on the campaign, watching and listening and expressing their own opinions. I can't help but wonder, if Obama is the reason these youngsters are so excited, as most of the young people in detention face poverty and prejudice everyday on "the outs", and now, finally, they feel like they have someone campaigning for president who may be able to relate to them in some way?! Just wait until they can vote!! I can only hope they will and that they will make informed decisions.

It is easiest to listen to only one side's "rhetoric and spin" and takes more time and open-minded consideration to look into what's said and why. I'm working on being more open-minded in my life in general. It is disconcerting to some, but oh well...I refuse to continue to be spoon fed and there is no longer an excuse to not seek out the information available on all sides. I recently watched another of Michael Moore's films, Farenheit 911. Anyway I was amazed (the aha light! came on) regarding some of the information in the film, but I do plan to do my own research on the info Moore puts forth. We really have no excuse for ignorance in this day and age with access to information at our fingertips. No excuse!!

I say be a part of the solution! I had considered that I should be a part of the drive to get people registered to vote, but did not do it this year...too many other iron's in the fire. I want to help out with registering people to vote, at least, at the next election. I wasn't ready this year to campaign for either presidential canidate either. They both have the ups and downs, pluses and minuses, and I am still undecided (somewhat). But I do plan to be an informed voter this year!

I know that no president is perfect and that no president is an island in and of himself. It really comes down to his leadership skills, people skills, management skills, and decision-making skills, along with all the leaders he appoints/chooses for his administration. Whoever gets in for the next 4 years has a "hell of a lot of work" ahead of them. Wow! What the next president will be able to accomplish will have alot to do with focus...focus...focus! Focus on too many things and nothing will most likely take place. It will be up to the next president to pick a focus and stick to it...seeing it through to completion.

For those of us who do vote...be open-minded and informed! If you choose not to vote...just don't complain..stop with the victim stance already! But don't expect the world to improve if you have your head stuck in the sand! Get involved in the world around you in the ways you can...like is often said "each one teach one...each one reach one".

Countdown to election...

Register to vote by midnight tonight-Oct. 6, 2008. There are many places to check out or verify your registration. If in the state of AZ, this is a good link to use...http://servicearizona.com/.

I just recently watched another of Michael Moore's films, Farenheit 911. Yes, I'm alittle behind the eight ball when it comes to film viewing and catching the latest. It sometimes takes me a few years to catch the "latest"...ha! Anyway I realize that no matter who the politician...you are dealing with a particular amount of spin. But thanks to the massive amount of information on the internet available with a seach engine and just a click of a button...presto you can read whatever slant you want to tell you what you want to hear.

These days I am trying to be as open-minded as possible and attempting to find the time to check out the "facts" put out by one side or the other. It can feel like a full time job. I have happened upon several sites that I'm going to provide the links to here. Check them out...some are biased for one side or the other and a couple seem willing to give the good and bad on both campaigns.
http://www.factcheck.org/
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/group/ArizonaChristiansforObama
http://www.citizenlink.org/
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/evangelical_politics/
http://www.americanthinker.com/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
http://twitter.com/donmilleris
http://technorati.com/politics/
http://mudflats.wordpress.com/