In 2008, in the wake of political apathy and discontent, Presidential candidate Barack Obama created an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm in America and around the world by running a technically sound campaign fueled by the principles of hope and change.   Three years later, discontent and dissatisfaction are re-emerging as people begin to realize that their hope that change would be led from the White House appears to be a distant illusion. Instead political expediency and pragmatism have come to characterize President Obama’s administration, which is not quite the hope and change that millions of people expected.  

Many people are now left with the empty feeling of disappointment and are searching to make sense out of what happened.  Some folks are taking to the streets to protest meanwhile tensions continue to mount as many people find their incomes dwindling and their costs going up.  Others folks continue to hold on to hope that a second term for President Obama will stimulate change.   Even President Obama admitted in a recent BET interview that prior to taking office he was not informed about the depth of America’s financial problems.  It appears the reality of change and the marketing of change are a far cry from one another.

Keep Hope Alive.

However, other would be Presidential candidates don’t seem able to catalyze and harness the collective will of the American people as President Obama can, so they would likely be even less effective.  As a result, American’s, including President Obama have to have a gut check moment. 

Each of us has to ask ourselves, “Who am I really?” and “Am I willing to personally pay a price for change?”  “Or do I even care?” Let’s face it.  None of us wants to make the tough decisions.  We all want it over simplified.  We want someone else to analyze the problems thoroughly and implement the solutions for us. We want things to work out without putting ourselves at risk.  We prefer slogans and facebook comments over personal responsibility and personal action.  We have leaders that mislead us because we absolve the responsibility of knowledge, action, and holding our leaders accountable.   Hence, in some respects we get what we deserve because they reflect us, and we reflect them. 

Now as the pain from years of indifference, irresponsibility, and naivety increases, we have to look in the mirror to admit to ourselves that as a nation we need to make some changes, our leaders included. 

Let’s Move.

If a movement of change in America is what people really want then there will have to be many conscientious steps taken by millions of people to bring about that change.  Many of us love to romanticize the civil rights movement and shift all the credit for it on the movement’s leaders, but the reality is that the civil rights movement was brought about by thousands of people willing to put themselves at risk for a principle in doing what was right.  A real movement is built upon a moral authority, which is derived from individuals having personal integrity and courage.   It is not simply a media spectacle, or a sound bite, or a slick marketing campaign. It is an unwillingness to go along with what is wrong and a corresponding shift in personal behavior and action.  

During the Montgomery bus boycott, a defining moment for Dr King’s leadership and the Civil Rights movement, it was hundreds of domestic workers and working poor black folks who made the personal sacrifice to walk everyday or carpool for months, in spite of weather or losing employment that  made the effort successful.  Dr. King inspired their efforts.  He was their spokesperson.  But they took the steps.  They kept on their marching shoes.  The challenge today is whether a leader will emerge to define actionable steps for people to take that truly create constructive change for all or will we fall for slick words and political marketing campaigns, and acquiesce to a dwindling status quo which is no longer delivering to a growing number of American people. 

This is a gut check moment for a nation that has marketed democracy all across the world and now must take inventory to determine whether or not we can deliver on our own ideals.

We are experiencing a public national reflection with dire consequences.  May God bless us to find the best that is within ourselves and have the courage, wisdom and strength to live it.  This is truly the face of change.

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