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Wfcooper
Regular Poster
Username: Wfcooper
Post Number: 23
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 09:04 am: | 
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“THAT ONE” IS VERY CLOSE… by William Fredrick Cooper
We’re almost there. We’re very close.
I wonder what my 86-year old friend, Norman, from Baltimore, is thinking right about now. This was a man who carried umbrellas for “Charlie” as teardrops from heaven screamed “all men are created equal”. For so long, he thought equal opportunity was a myth.
We’re close to the Holy Grail, old friend. “That One” is very close.
I wonder what our forefathers looking down upon us, millions whose families were torn apart by the chains of slavery, the fountains of segregation and blatant and covert racism are thinking right about now. Tears forming in their eyes, for so long they thought their sacrifices, things that seemed unimaginable to many of us today, were in vain.
They weren’t, and I for one, am grateful.
We’re close to the end of the fight, Brothers Malcolm and Martin, Dr. Dubois and Booker T.., Mr. Robeson and Marcus Garvey, Huey Newton, Eldridge Cleaver and Stokely Carmichael, Fred Hampton and Mark Clark, Medgar Evers, Frederick Douglass, Jackie Robinson and the Brown Bomber. Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott-King, Betty Shabazz and Rachel Robinson, the memo is out: You’ve been waiting to exhale long enough.
“That One” is very close.
Jesse Jackson, who years ago ran a futile race so “that one” could win, will be forgiven for his refusal to relinquish the shine. After all, we fight so hard for it, sometimes we want to keep the light forever when in truth, God is the beacon of all good things. Michael Eric Dyson and Mark Anthony Neal, bless them both, will fill the air with intellects that cut a pathway through interracial misunderstanding. Breaking it down nicely, even they of intelligent verbiage can truly appreciate the simplicity of the moment at hand.
We’re close, they’re saying. “That One” is very close.
Periodical columnists begrudgingly see the inevitable. Political correspondents wear the look of resignation while conceding the obvious. Are they that fearful of a Black Planet? And what are the neighbors, the rest of the globe, thinking at this moment?
A CLUE: “The United States had better not screw this up. If the outdated irrationality and coded prejudices over racial preference soils the Stars and Stripes once more…”
With each passing debate, the need for a new order screams louder. Picture this: If this were an NFL Football game, “That One” has a ten point lead midway through the fourth quarter. After another McCain/Palin turnover – AGAIN, YOU MIGHT BE SAYING TO YOURSELF- our prince sits squarely at the 50-yard line. Knowing the compassion of our culture, under normal circumstances we would play it conservative, for we have the lead and possession of the ball. Traditionally, that has been our hallmark as a culture that cares.
However, something tells me, while cool and composed, energetic and eloquent, Barack Obama possesses a quality that’s needed to finish the job. Behind the innate, effortless grace, all the articulate, inspirational speeches geared toward the middle class, the earnest yet chic geekiness made to order for the young, old and disenfranchised, and the calm needed to enact change in a country that needs this like a man thirsting for water in the Sahara, lay the killer instinct of a champion knowing he needs to go for the jugular.
“That One” knows he’s close to ultimate victory, but realizes he must close the show by leaving no doubt.
At next week’s debate in the city that won’t sleep on this historic moment, look for an audible from “That One” when looking over the GOP defense. Seeing an all-out blitz from a desperate yet determined G.O.P. candidate, John McCain is coming with the kitchen sink to blast Obama. One mistake with that move, however: he leaves Sarah Palin exposed to her lack of experience, as well as a party unaccustomed to a brother changing the game they mastered for so long, helpless and hopeless against two receivers running GO routes (Straight Fly patterns ) as “That One”, the quarterback of change, drops backs and stands tall in the pocket.
Someone’s about to get burned on the bomb, y’all.
Looking right, Obama sees the GO route of one receiver is one that represents centuries of progress, inch by inch. That GO route is for all those lashes taken from slaves, those deeply embedded scars by way of Willie Lynch; the strung up broken necks of Jim Crow; those raped sisters of yesteryear that kept families together when their men were mules; those assassinated fighting for what’s right; people of color period.
Palin can’t hang with the speed of that type of emotion, for it’s been restrained by the bump-and-run tactics of injustice for so long.
“That One”, cognizant of the game breaker’s fury to his right, could go in that direction, and not be criticized for his decision. Instead, he pump fakes there, freezing the negative safety coverage of CNN and FOX NEWS, and looks left.
Noticing the traditionally cynical and apathetic cornerback of problematic order has fallen down, he lofts a tight spiral to a streaking, ambiguous-colored receiver of change, of progress, of solution. This rookie pass catcher carries a powerful message to the country once “That One” takes residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: patience, objectivity and assistance. Each blazing step of the rookie’s trail speaks for “That One” :We must help him by becoming better fathers, mothers and people to one another; as well as show patience as he tackles 1) the issue of restoring peace both home and abroad by bringing troops home from a dumb war, and 2) fixing the economy while battling greed and self-interest.
While still a rookie receiver, somehow “That One” trusts him. He needs to, because the superstar on the right is retiring after a well deserved Hall-of-Fame career whose greatness was best in oppressive racial obscurity.
As “That One” goes, so goes the other guy finding his shine. Give them eight years to do the job.
The ball will nestle in the rookie’s hands soon, as the touchdown will be scored on November 4th, when black people scared of tremendous disappointment will believe. All people in need of change will follow suit, and a world ready to render a harsh, severe judgment on America will instead say “It’s About Time”.
“That One” is thisclose. |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2412
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 09:27 am: |
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The racism that has plagued this country will not die that easily. The McCain camp is fanning the flames of long held racists feelings that "they will think they are like us now" "they will give "us" what we have long given "them" but foremost I think it is the fear that "they" will no longer be deemed supierior and better. "they" will no longer hold all the cards in the deck.
Racism is rearing its ugly head and Obama faces grave danger now, and even moreso once he is elected.
Racism will not die, simply because the country elects its first black president. The fight is not over. It is just beginning... |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1275
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 04:50 pm: |
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Hello Mr. Cooper, I enjoyed your post.
Your friend Norman will undoubtedly expereince several emotions. His sentiments and others like him may be that of a victor. Yet hopefully, not a victory won by the subjugation of another.
Norman will indeed be able to run with the dream that all men "were" created equal and therefore view the victory from a position of love of thyself and not from hatred of another.
In your "End Zone" there will be unbridled jubilation, celebration and merriment. On the sidelines of the opposing team will be weeping joyless faces. Their first reactions could be feelings of loss. A forfeiture of an arguably misplaced right. Apprehension, anger and rage are sure to follow. A display much like the atmosphere we are witnessing in the closing weeks of the campaigns and possibly worse.
It is my hope the the defeated does not view their loss as an extraction but a disentanglement of the minds of all.
There will be enough serentipitous rewards to heal the tenuous divide. "That One" will be sure to speak about change and the rewards that come in the morning if one simply holds on and just believes.
If Obama wins, raw gaiety and jocular merriment will be in distinct contrast to the disillusionment and fear that will most assuredly accompany the faces and heart of those that could never have invisioned such a day.
Your football analogy painted a wonderful picture of a tightly thrown ball that will be caught or dropped. There will be a winner and a loser. The prize is not clear. Maybe we should ask the "Normans", 4th grade students or those that wish to oppress others.
I don't believe we need to worry about Obama. He appears to have stick'um on his hands, he will not drop this one. He may be a rookie, yet "That One" is seasoned, he is covered and ready for the fire. He will come out a rich, textured golden brown.
Racism may not die but what about a time called now!
Thanks for your post
Carey
Carey |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2413
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 04:59 pm: |
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Whatever Carey. You and your friend can keep living in LALA land if you want. The truth is OBAMA faces death threats DAILY. He had twenty cars of secret servicemen accompanying him when he was here yesterday. And that, my friend is a FACT not an MLK DREAM.
NOW we MAY one day get where you and your friend dream of being. BUT WE AINT THERE YET! |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1276
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 06:07 pm: |
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Excuse me A_womon, nothing in my posts was meant as a rebuttal to anything you said. It was void of remarks to suggest racism was not rampant nor did it voice an opposing view to your opinion that Obama brings out the worst in some individuals.
In fact, my closing statement agreed with you that racism is not dead yet there is a time called now...and sometimes it starts with a dream.
I was merely giving my analysis of the potential emotions and reactions following the storm.
I doubt my "friend" or I live in LALA land. I reread his post and nothing could be further from the truth. |
Wfcooper
Regular Poster
Username: Wfcooper
Post Number: 26
Registered: 12-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 09:25 am: |
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LA LA LAND? Wow, so much for faith and optimism, huh? |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2414
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 01:56 pm: |
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Yes so much for faith and optimism when you have people riding down the street with tee shirts that read "It says WHITEhouse for a reason niggger!" And when you have white men waving little stuffed monkeys with an Obama sticker wrapped around his head directly into a camera proudly proclaiming "this is little Hussein and he's going to get a little truth here" as he stepped into a McCain rally this past weekend.
Look, I'm not trying to say we shouldn't be optimistic, but damn. Don't go all the way from optimistim to stupidity and thinking Obama is going to change people's racists attitudes just because he gets elected. His life is being threatened all the time! That's all I'm saying. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1288
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 05:43 pm: |
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A_womon,
You my girl and all that but since you've come up in here with your dress all hiked up and your post just begs for arguement, I think you need a little schoolin'. Sit down and be quite for a minute.
What are you reading? I mean, who's post are you pointing to that would suggest some are being stupid and that we think Obama is going to change people's racists attitudes!?
Don't A_womon. Look you can go to any church on any given Sunday and find the best "praise team member" throwing their hands to the sky and later find that same person sitting at a slot machine throwing their hands even higher in the air. Change comes from inside and nothing anyone says or does is going to change the person. I'll speak from my viewpoint and my original post. I know there will be a storm. Even if Obama loses, there will be a storm, it's already brewing. In fact, racism will jump in the front seat, it will become the driver. Have you even considered the other side of the coin? (NOW, I've opened up another topic)
All the worldly wrongs will be at the feet of Obama if he wins and the blame will be clouded in fear and racism. There are stupid rednecks and closet racist, some are even on Obama's team...what? They are, and they will die being just that, racists and closet clowns.
There will always be someone to hate but as sure as my momma's homemade biscuits are the best in the world, I will always love you. |
A_womon
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2415
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 06:09 pm: |
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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH SHAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDUPPPPPPPP PPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1291
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 08:23 pm: |
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I knew you couldn't stay away *lol*.
No, YOU SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!! HA HA HA DA LOLLIPOP. |
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