Page 13 Continued from Page 1 SO WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW? February 2009 As one social observer put it, “Oh, Black people will still be killing each other. They just won’t be killing each other as often”. True. Crime and violence will not disappear or be eliminated under an Obama administration. It will reduce, however, the level and frequency of violence. No, it won’t entirely stop people from hurting and killing each other. Some peo ple are still going to lie, cheat, steal, and kill; there is just going to be less and less of it; and this is a good thing. This election has ushered in a new era of social change. For one thing, it has made peo ple, and Black people in gen eral, feel better about them selves. The blistering effects of centuries of self-imposed self-hate and racial animosity have now been muted, if not effectively compromised. In an incredible turn of events, America has entrusted its safety, its security, its honor, prestige, history and to a large extent its future, for the next four or eight years, to a son of Africa. The Black man’s burden has been lifted! His mind, for the first time in more than four centuries, has been liberated. A magnificent, monumental in consciousness has taken place. A new world order is coming into being. shift And there is no turning back. The cat, as the old folk would say, is out of the bag. The fresh sweet smell of true freedom is in the air. In one single swoop, Obama’s election has done what no church, school, col lege, money or textbook could do. It has raised the consciousness of Black people. It has changed their self-image, and repositioned their mental landscape. We are about to witness a mental- makeover! Take note of the changes now going on around you. Watch, for ex amples, how some of our young people will actually start wearing pants with a belt. Say bye-bye to sagging pants! Watch the homicide rate go down. Drug use go down. Crack cocaine slowly disappear from our neighborhoods. More and more young people will stay in school...and graduate!! This election marks a return to civility; people will start speaking to each other again—just like we used to do back in the day! And Black now has a new meaning. It is good. It no longer means one is bad, mean, ugly, angry, or evil. To be Black now is to be important. To be Black now is to be admired, respected. To be Black now is to be cool. And loved. This feeling of mutual respect is transformative. It is also very encouraging, and very contagious. When you feel good about yourself, you cannot help but feel good about other people, no matter their ethnicity, education, background or personal preference. It is difficult, nearly impossible, not to show love to other people when you first show love to your self The biblical scripture, charity begins at home is transformative in that love, real love, begins first with self-love. Yes, there is a new mood, a new spirit sweeping across America. The changing of the guard has now taken place. The long suffering underdog is now the victo rious top dog. The fat lady has started to sing! You can see it, sense it, feel it.... just about anywhere you go in this country. Now, be real with me; don’t you feel different on the inside? When you look, see, hear Obama, don’t you feel more confident, more secure, more at peace with yourself? For the first time in the history of mankind, we have witnessed a Black man as sume real power, real authority. All this and more without having to buck dance, or kiss up to certain people. The AC Phoenix Who ever thought this nation, and no less than the entire world, would look up, respect and actually follow the leadership of a man of African descent, married and in love with a gorgeous African-centered woman who grew up on the south side of Chicago? You can tell that they are madly in love with each other. No apologies needed. Less than six years ago, Barack Obama was literally an unknown personality with the working title of community organizer. His election is a turning point, a “majestic moment”, as one observer put it; moreover, it marks the return and rebirth of a long-stolen African culture that was almost destroyed by American slavery . What say you? How does one rise from nothing, and 1 do mean, literally nothing, in terms of material considerations to become the Commander-In-Chief and leader of the Free World? The short answer is Divine Interven tion. And only God can do that. So what will you do now? —John Raye can be heard every Tues day night on the NBAN Hour, 9pm (212-990-8000) code is 1102#) or (336) 782-8383 or rayeandrosie(§aol.com and see him: ComproTax @ Northside Shopping Center in Winston-Salem (336) 744-7560 John Raye ■Xnjs—"Sp y / . if/a An advertising opportunity using poetic, inspirational or grateful words of thinks and appreciation to friends and family for their caring and sharing during your time of bereavement. Size of Ads Determines the Cost HOLIDAY MEWORIAMS REMEMBRANCES of family Members and friends Published every: Holiday ST -¥7L