In law school, I wrote a paper titled, “America if you don’t have the product, take down the sign.” The paper was a discussion about historical documents and philosophical writings that market what America has to offer its citizens. The most prominent of the products promised by America is the “American Dream.” The paper reads, “Implicit in the American Dream is the belief that every man is created equal; that democracy exists; that the opportunity to achieve and to excel is apparent and through hard work it is available to every man.” The paper goes on to state that reality in America illustrates something different than what is portrayed by its product label. “Just as urine in an expensively labeled wine bottle will still taste like urine, words on the most expensive stationary are still just words, and dreams, as real as they may seem, are usually not realistic. To place America in front of “dream” is a truism; a facade that exists in this country. And for the African American male, this dream holds elements of a nightmare which forces many of us to live in impalpable darkness, where there is blocked access to means of excelling.” The paper demanded for America to take down the sign advertising equality and opportunity for all because the product appeared to be out of stock.
Well, on November 5, 2008, the day after Barack Obama was elected as the first African American President of the United States, the shelves were stocked with the new American Dream. The product was packaged unlike anything seen before. The idea that African-Americans could achieve the American Dream was no longer propaganda; it became a reality for everyone to witness.
To really understand the impact of this symbolic moment, I took a trip to the black man’s country club, affectionately known as the barbershop. At Ultimate Cuts, I got uncensored, straight talk about the significance of this election and what it meant for African-Americans. Several proclaimed the same sentiments in different ways; each of them finally felt that they belonged to this country and were no longer visitors. The most impactful statement, “Today, I don’t feel like an African American, I simply feel like an American!”
Whoopi Goldberg, comedian and co-host of the popular morning show, “The View” exclaimed that the election of Barack Obama made her finally feel like she could put her suitcase down. She suggested the same sentiment expressed by the gentlemen in the barbershop; that they finally felt a part of this place called America. African-Americans were now finally able to participate in this promise known affectionately as the American Dream.
I believe that the election of Barack Obama gives great hope and optimism for a new America. A new America, where we strive everyday to live out the true measure of our creed, that all men are created equal. Barack Obama’s election as the first African American President has many meanings, and the implications vary from person to person. While his election is certainly his achievement, it’s celebrated as our achievement. It’s a moment for America to celebrate the possibilities that now exist in all of us. As a kid growing up, so many of the symbols reflected on television and in history books, as icons and heroes to be respected, we’re of people who look and are different than me and the other kids in my neighborhood. That reality has shaped and limited the dreams and aspirations of so many African American children. Obviously Barack Obama was not one of those children who allowed his aspirations to be limited by the past, and with his historic victory, black and white children alike can look to the highest office in this land and know that they can accomplish anything.
America is at a difficult place in our history, and our new president has much work to do. The expectations of his leadership are high. Electing an African American President of our country will not by itself eliminate America’s oldest and most settled institutions; racism and discrimination. Nor will it by itself change the results of a history of racism and discrimination in America. The maxim that one exception invalidates the rule only works in mathematics. Obama’s accomplishment, however, challenges us all to release ourselves to what the future can be, or we surrender our future to the past that has not served us, that will not serve us. Obama’s election paints a portrait of the possibilities of an America that can exist. Barack Obama is a roadmap to the America that can exist for every Asian, Hispanic, Black, and White child. We can educate them, nurture them, expand their horizons, and they in turn can lead us. I once thought that this would be the America of my grandchildren; I am now encouraged that it may be the America of my son.
With the election of Barack Obama, I have to respond to the aforementioned paper I wrote in law school challenging the United States about falsely advertising the availability of the American Dream. While it appears that the United States has restocked the American Dream, there is still much work to be done and change to come. So to Whoopi I say, “Put down your suitcase, but you should probably wait to unpack.”