An Open Letter for Obama from Alice Walker
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Posted By: Marta Fernandez on November 17, 2008 Nov. 5, 2008 Dear Brother Obama, You have no idea, really, of how profound this moment is for us. Us being the black people of the Southern United States. You think you know, because you are thoughtful, and you have studied our history. But seeing you deliver the torch so many others before you carried, year after year, decade after decade, century after century, only to be struck down before igniting the flame of justice and of law, is almost more than the heart can bear. And yet, this observation is not intended to burden you, for you are of a different time, and, indeed, because of all the relay runners before you, North America is a different place. It is really only to say: Well done. We knew, through all the generations, that you were with us, in us, the best of the spirit of Africa and of the Americas. Knowing this, that you would actually appear, someday, was part of our strength. Seeing you take your rightful place, based solely on your wisdom, stamina and character, is a balm for the weary warriors of hope, previously only sung about. I would advise you to remember that you did not create the disaster that the world is experiencing, and you alone are not responsible for bringing the world back to balance. A primary responsibility that you do have, however, is to cultivate happiness in your own life. To make a schedule that permits sufficient time of rest and play with your gorgeous wife and lovely daughters. And so on. One gathers that your family is large. We are used to seeing men in the White House soon become juiceless and as white-haired as the building; we notice their wives and children looking strained and stressed. They soon have smiles so lacking in joy that they remind us of scissors. This is no way to lead. Nor does your family deserve this fate. One way of thinking about all this is: It is so bad now that there is no excuse not to relax. From your happy, relaxed state, you can model real success, which is all that so many people in the world really want. They may buy endless cars and houses and furs and gobble up all the attention and space they can manage, or barely manage, but this is because it is not yet clear to them that success is truly an inside job. That it is within the reach of almost everyone. I would further advise you not to take on other people's enemies. Most damage that others do to us is out of fear, humiliation and pain. Those feelings occur in all of us, not just in those of us who profess a certain religious or racial devotion. We must learn actually not to have enemies, but only confused adversaries who are ourselves in disguise. It is understood by all that you are commander in chief of the United States and are sworn to protect our beloved country; this we understand, completely. However, as my mother used to say, quoting a Bible with which I often fought, "hate the sin, but love the sinner." There must be no more crushing of whole communities, no more torture, no more dehumanizing as a means of ruling a people's spirit. This has already happened to people of color, poor people, women, children. We see where this leads, where it has led. A good model of how to "work with the enemy" internally is presented by the Dalai Lama, in his endless caretaking of his soul as he confronts the Chinese government that invaded Tibet. Because, finally, it is the soul that must be preserved, if one is to remain a credible leader. All else might be lost; but when the soul dies, the connection to earth, to peoples, to animals, to rivers, to mountain ranges, purple and majestic, also dies. And your smile, with which we watch you do gracious battle with unjust characterizations, distortions and lies, is that expression of healthy self-worth, spirit and soul, that, kept happy and free and relaxed, can find an answering smile in all of us, lighting our way, and brightening the world. We are the ones we have been waiting for. In Peace and Joy, Alice Walker © 2008, Alice Walker If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Marta Fernandez
From Queens, NY CUNY -Queens College class of 1985 Member Since July 2008 |
Comments
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Well, well , well. .thank you so much for the advice as if he needs it, or is it an opportunistic moment Ms. Walker? I have yet to see a white person writing a letter to any President beginning with Dear Brother..I am so not feeling your intent..I understand a writer is just bursting forth, but he is not to be addressed this way, because you don't address Colin Powell that way. All this does is just anger those who see this Presidency as an excuse to start mess. I am sure you are thinking that you are full of such salient, wisdom, the fact is that I as spiritual as I am ,know that I do not need to flaunt it. Were glad the Dalai Lama "caretakes" his soul, however, Ms.Walker, we are talking about the President of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. Only a person with a tremendous ego would write this publicly. Maya our illustrious poet is quiet, there is a reason and a season for all things. So much for you and Angela! ..and that's how I feel about it,and I will contact you. Monday, November 17th 2008 at 1:37PM |
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oh..I can hear my friend Reda, oh Marta he is our brother, that's how we talk..yeah well,learn the language of Protocol..I bet Maya will address him in a dignified,not around the way style..don't bring him down to "our" level..give him all the respect due. In due respect!
Monday, November 17th 2008 at 1:40PM |
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earl? i know ur kidding right?
Monday, November 17th 2008 at 10:06PM |
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You know? and she sounds "disconnected" maybe she is fishing/opting to be the "poet Laureate" like Maya was for Clinton's Inauguration, and it's a backhand slap to Maya, because she came out for Hillary..(which I will never understand, since she always had tremendous concern for "our brothers") and went against her adopted "daughter" Oprah! and Irma. sista girl lives up in Sonoma..give her a holla..get her a husband or husbanette!! she looks so depressed despite her Pulitzer Prizes..get a hint Earl..no dummies in the Obama Administration..please that includes us!! lol Tuesday, November 18th 2008 at 8:36AM |
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President elect Barack Hussein Obama will not become a dictator Janurary 2009. He wil become the 44th President of the United States of America. He has asked us all to help him, he has not asked us to dictate to him what he should do or what not to do. I have full faith that what ever our president chooses to do it will be best for our country and its citizens at all times. He will have the best, most trusted and experts in the given for each job to be done. He owns no lobby favors. He and his wife are very smart and most of all they have 'common sense' along with 'street' smarts and nother name for 'common sense' in a crisis/survival of the fittest(smile) Earl? I know you are kidding?????!!!!!!!!!!??WAKE UP,like yesterday... Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM |
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