Stand up … or just remain seated

For most of my life — and many times during the last nine months I’ve written this column — I have “preached” the idea that one person can make a difference.

No matter how big the problem, how minute the situation, if you are determined to create change, then nothing, and no one, will stop you.

Monday night, I met someone who despite the hardships she encountered, ridicule she endured and moments of insecurity she faced in her life, never gave up.

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Earth Day philosophy every day?

On Tuesday - Earth Day 2009 - people around the globe will come together to celebrate the great planet we live on.

On the “official” Earth Day Web site it reads, “Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment."

Hmmm … interesting. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could incorporate this “vision” into a way of life for all? Not only on Earth Day, but the other 364 days of the year, as well? And let’s expand the focus from the environment to include say … one another?

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Am I the only one?

Tucked away in the corner of the trusty backpack I carry with me every day is my black wool ski cap, which has “OBAMA” spelled out on it in rhinestones. Since the weather can be unpredictable some evenings and I hate the cold — and the wind even more — I keep it on hand with a pair of gloves and a cotton scarf.

I bought my cap in Washington, D.C., when I attended my new president’s inauguration in January. I’ve worn it with pride often and used to love the attention I got when it sat upon my head.

But over the past month or so, when it has been chilly or windy enough to wear, I’ve noticed people hardly pay it any mind anymore. And now that I think about, I no longer see much Obama-wear out and about as it was proudly worn and displayed from last October through the end of February.

Am I the only one who still wants to shout to the world that Obama is our commander-in-chief? Am I the only one who is finally happy to have a commander-in-chief who is worth being proud of? Am I the only one who cares anymore?

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If you can’t beat ‘em …

They first tried by nominating Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican Vice-presidential candidate in November’s elections.

Now it seems the Grand Old Party is again attempting to improve its image with its election of Michael Steele as chairman of Republican National Committee – the first African American to hold the post. On Friday, the former Maryland Lt. Governor won the party’s top post in a 91 to 77 vote.

“To those who support us, to those who believe in the ideals, those conservative principals that have made us the strong and proud party that we are … to those who stand indifference with us, it’s time for something completely different,” Steele said after being elected. “… and for those of you who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over.”

Congrats to you, Mr. Steele. And a tip of the hat to the Republican party for at least looking outside the box. However, the process of creating change and embracing all people – without discrimination or double standards – goes beyond appearance.

President Barack Obama didn’t gain the respect, admiration and support of millions of Americans (and global residents) because he was black. Voters didn’t flock to him solo because his color somehow showed the country that we are a union where all people are truly created equally.

Obama gave people hope and belief through his words and actions. He demonstrated for a number of years his commitment to others.

Once Republican leaders can master this skill – and really meet the American people in the middle – they may have a chance of again gaining some form of respect around the globe.

Chance of a lifetime

The time I woke up to find a spot in my ticketed area of the Inauguration: 4:30 a.m.

The distance I walked with thousands of others — like sheep — through a crazy maze that never seemed to end: Two miles to; five miles from.

The chance to stand alongside hundreds of thousands of Americans as we watched the first African American to be sworn in as president of the United States: Priceless.

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A dream come true

As I sat and watched the rebroadcast by CNN of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C., 45 years ago, I realized the historic event took place only a few miles away from where I sit now.

I have seen excerpts of the speech and read parts of it since I was young, but it never touched me as much as it has now. Could be I’m getting older; might be that I didn’t get a lot of sleep the past few days. But I think it’s the fact that there is something in the air these days in the District and no matter who you are, where you are from, what your political views are … you can feel it.

We all seem to gravitate to King’s words, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” But on this day, it was something else he said that stood out for me.

“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.”

In less than 24 hours, our nation will welcome in as President a man who already has opened that door. Children of all ages have run in knowing what is right when so many adults still don’t. And all around me I watch men, women, children; black, white, brown and more; gay, straight; and those who never thought they would, climb out of the quicksands onto the streets of Washington, D.C., to join with others near and far, after years of uncertainty in so many areas “to sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’”

Read more of this post and Inaugural podcasts and updates at The Globe Newspapers.

Trip of a lifetime

It’s the perfect example of community coming together.

It was Nov. 4, 2008, that Mary Everett came up with a great idea: She thought it would be nice if her and her sisters traveled to Washington, D.C., to watch the inauguration in January … and invite some other Oaklanders who also may want to see history in the making.

Little did she know that two months, two weeks and two days later her dream will become a reality.

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Boy … what a year

On Jan. 1, 2008, I was feeling pretty good about the year in front of me.

Eight months later, I had been laid off, experienced financial woes and personal struggles, said goodbye to a pet and a very dear friend and had begun counting the seconds until I could say “Good riddance!” to the Year of the Rat.

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