Life is about repositioning, refocusing and redirecting ourselves for greater opportunity and insight, which sometimes means taking a step back and being dormant for awhile in order to see more clearly. In the past two months I've taken a step back to assess my focus; I've relocated to the state of Texas; and I'm even more focused on dealing with the emotional side of minority achievement. More importantly, to go back to my first love of helping people overcome their fear of success.
As I've watched the continued events of the presidential race for a democratic nominee, I have been astonished and pissed off over the strong insinuation of racial antipathy and the recreation of an archaic fear that reaches back into the 1915 vault that depicted blacks (specifically, black men) as villains, violent rapists and threats to the social order of America. But amidst the undertones of racial divisiveness is a piercing sound for change--and this has increased my commitment in doing my part in insuring that minorities have a stronger presence in the dynamics of this change.
There is a strong wind blowing and Obama's campaign for president has challenged us as individuals to embrace our social autonomy. To, as individuals, be the leader that we have been waiting for and engage in whatever we can do to usher in a change that truly needs the participation of every black in America. Obama and no other individual can deal with the challenges that faces our society today alone. It would be wrong and a devastating travesty for Blacks to expect Obama (because he is Black) to single-handily "make it all better" for us as a Black race.
The Universe has provided a very rare opportunity for Black Americans to define ourselves accurately. To once again be contributers to society and not just consumers. To begin again to live in the "Key of Courage" as our fore-mothers and fathers did. The Universe has obligated us as individual, to contribute in our own positive way (no matter the size, weight or height of the idea, gift or talent)--if we don't, then we can't claim victim and we certainly can't scream foul.
You're a Movement by Yourself!
Pennie Murray is a Organizational Psychologist, Author & Teacher who specializes in the Success Fearing Personality and inspiring ordinary people to expect extraordinary things from their lives.
