FORUM An American, Finally Julianne Malveaux Guest Columnist Every morning when I wake up I have a conversa tion with God. This practice goes back about 12 years, to a turning point in my life when 1 realized that only rec ognizing a higher power would make my life work. Being the contrairan I am, however, I was not prepared for ritual. Instead, my morn ing with God is as casual as a talk I'd have with a friend. Morning, God, 1 say. It's Julianne Malveaux. You know. The sister who tries to serve you. It's good to be alive today. And then I do some Bible reading, listen to some gospel music and simply Pray On November 5, I changed my conversation. For the first time, I acknowl edged my nation, praying, "It's good to be alive in the United States of America today." Yes, it is good to finally consider and enjoy the perks that go into being an American A man who looks like me will have his face in a history book. An elegant sister will preside over all those state dinners. Two little Black girls, with grins like those of my godchildren and baby cousins, will roll their eggs over the White House lawn on Easter Monday. It will be our house, not a remote house, accessible, not unattainable. As I saw my face in the mirror called vic tory, I felt like an American, finally. In honesty f have never felt much like an American before. An African American, certainly, but not flag-waving. Mount Rushmore-embracing, hit the Monument loving American. For all of my life I've been an American, reluctant ly. Came here in chains. Advanced by my brains and by the legacy of struggle and dignity. I sing, "Lift Every Voice" as if it is rap because it is history, poetry, poignan cy and a capturing of every step African-Americans have taken. How can you sing, "stony the road we trod" and feel fully American? How can you put your mouth around the phrase, "treading our way through the blood of the slaughtered" without wondering about the demo cratic integrity of our nation? The very lyrics of the Negro National Anthem belie the notion of a level playing field. And still. Senator Obama won. This election, in and of itself, will not close racial economic gaps, clean up the environment, address the gender gap, provide health care to everyone, end the war in Iraq, or do anything else. Electing Senator Barack Obama is simply a step in the right direction. All of us who have held back our faith, belief, enthusiasm, and hard work now need to embrace the Obama team with all of our energy. They want change. We want change. And the elec tion of Obama makes me want to be a better, and more productive citizen. So my alter ego. Sister Cynic, is on break for just a minute. She is going to sit on ice while the joyful soul lifts up and embraces this possi bility of change. It is an exciting possibili ty that was affirmed by a greatly collective vote. 1 real ly thought "they" would steal Florida and Ohio and that the Bradley effect would have put Pennsylvania in another column. So I'm wrong, wrong and gleefully wrong. There has been magic in the air, despite a plummeting stock market and grim eco nomic indicators. We know that President-elect Obama did not cause this mess, but we know the mess is real. At the same time, I am observing people greeting each other with kindness and civility, recognizing all that which may happen as our nation moves forward. While it is absolutely clear that dif ferences remain among '"Americans, aspects of the atmosphere suggest that we are attempting to mute at least a few of our differences. There is much work to do, but there must be a moment of celebration. And so, as 1 send Sister Cynic on vaca tion, and put my inner ana lyst on suspension, I am among those who embrace and admire this moment of history. There is joy in the Obama victory, for the nation, and for me. I am unbashedly proud to describe myself as an American, final ly Noted economist Dr. Julianne Malvetiux is the president of Bennett College for Women. Obama aide reassures Black America George Curry Guest Columnist Many African-Americans are asking: Now that Barack Obama has won the White House, will he be so eager to govern from the center that he will forget about his obliga tions to Blacks? Valerie Jarrett, a long-time friend and one of his closest advisers, gave an emphatic reply to that question on Sunday - No. In a private meeting with the Trotter Group, an organiza tion of African-American columnists, Jarrett fielded numerous questions about Obama's commitment to Blacks. And, in each instance, she left no doubt that the pres ident-elect, who has a straight A Senate rating from the NAACP, will remain true to his past. Jarrett, one of three chairs of Obama's transition team, was asked why so few African-Americans are being mentioned in speculation about future cabinet posts. She replied, "There isn't a single name on that list that you've heard from President-elect Obama. There's not a single name on that list that you've heard from me, or from John Podesta or from Peter Rouse," she said, referring to the three co-chairs of Obama's transi tion team. "Or, now from Rahm Emanuel. So the five people who actually do know the names on the list, you haven't spoken to them. So what I think you see in the newspaper is what everybody speculates. I haven't seen the list but my guess is they're speculating on the people who are most com Valerie Jarrett with N.C. A& recent Trotter Group gatheriri monly thought of." Some of that speculation has centered on Jarrett. a Chicago real estate executive. Soms have suggested that she might become Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or head the Commerce Department. But there are news reports out of Chicago that she is the front runner to replace Obama in the U.S. Senate. In her meeting with journalists, Jarrett said she would be willing to serve in any capacity that Obama sees fit. On the question of Obama's commitment to diversity, Jarrett was unequiv ocal. "President-elect Obama. as should be no surprise to any one in this room, would like his cabinet to be diverse - both in terms of race, in terms of perspectives, in terms of party, in terms of geography," she said. "So he is looking to have a cross-section of America. Spending the amount of time with him as I do, I can assure you this is something front and center of his mind. Not because it's the politically expedient thing to do, but because he would make better A&T Photo T's DeWayne Wickham at the m BANKRUPTCY Legal Help For Your Debt Problems DONALI) R. BUlE. Attorney At Law Donuid k. Buk www.donaldrbuie.coin ( ? i ? 1 o The l a? Office of Ikutald K. 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