Editorial #1: Historical Significance – Do You Get That?

This is a historic weekend, unlike any that’s taken place before in this country. We are experiencing a 2nd Inauguration, and the birthday celebration of the man who caused this particular President to be in office. If it wasn’t for Dr. Martin Luther King’s courageous fight for liberty, President Obama might not have been able to run at all, let alone win twice. We must never forget what Dr. King really did for this country. Remember, the “I Have a Dream” speech was really about the bounced check that America owes to African-Americans. That part is never played, but you can hear it on YouTube: The Bounced Check/I Have a Dream Speech.

Watching the celebrations that took place over the weekend and will continue through Monday night, a feeling of extreme pride, apprehension and relief wash over me all at once. I think about all of the people who were killed trying to vote. They weren’t asking for much, just wanted to vote because it was their right. We’ve forgotten about them.

Myrlie Evers-Williams and John Lewis, the last living speaker from that hot day in 1963 in D.C. were on CNN today. They were a sight to see, such history, strength and grace in their every gesture. Rep. Lewis was only 23 when he spoke with Dr. King on that D.C. stage. Mrs. Evers-Williams was in her mid-20s when Medgar was murdered. But, this day, all of the Sunday ‘talking heads’ brought out some great guests in anticipation of the Inaugural Celebrations. Most of them were the ones who paved the way for President Obama. It was good to see they are still living and doing well.

Unfortunately, there are many people who don’t understand the historical significance of the next few days. Starting about Wednesday 01/16/13, the atmosphere changed. You have to be spiritually attuned to feel it. It was the same when President Obama first got elected, and on Election Night in 2008, Michigan Avenue was a parking lot near Grant Park. However, as you drove away from the epicenter, people were still shooting each other for nothing.

When there’s a move of God so large as to affect an entire nation, we must pay attention. We’ve been distracted greatly by the gun control arguments that have resurfaced since those children and teachers were murdered at Sandy Hook. In fact, there’s ALWAYS some distraction going on, manufactured or otherwise, that keeps us from paying attention to what’s happening. The neighborhood stores are still selling individual cigarettes instead of packs, the gunshots are still going off every half-hour, like clockwork, the reefer-heads are still smoking in the hallway, and the spin is still being put on the news. The people are really fed up with being in a constant state of struggle, which is why the President won again. But there’s that historical significance, so wide we can’t get around it – can you feel it? It’s not on President Obama alone, but on ALL OF US to do something and get this weight off of our collective backs.

Do you think we can do something with this momentum, instead of letting it die after all of the parties are over, and everyone’s gone back home? Do you think we can finally speak up if the President gets a fraction of the opposition he received last term, for no reason other than to impede his agenda? Will those same obstructionist folk be re-elected in a couple of years? Will we just sit again, not in protest, but as couch potatoes, saying how terrible it is but not doing anything about it? Think about it, and MOVE. Napoleon Hill said something very significant for this case. He said, “Just WHAT are you waiting for, and WHY are you waiting?”