Optimistically Hopeful

By The Reverend D. D. Prather BlackCommentator.com Guest Commentator

We are well into the New Year with its compliment of new beginnings and seemingly fresh starts. We are likewise almost in the midst of another election season with the elaboration that accompanies the anticipation, excitement, and interest.  In this 2012 black history month we are in the concluding days of the first term of our first president of African American descent who in my opinion serves as a beacon of hope for African’s of descent in the United States, throughout the Diaspora, and people of the world. The caveat I would warn is that while we are at a historical highpoint, there are issues that beg resolve continuously and remain ever present as undercurrents. If not addressed in a meaningful and progressive dialogue, we will collectively be hindered as a country in our continued reach for greatness and stature as a global power. In the recent debates and conversations, there are some very obvious differences between liberal and conservative philosophical thought, and the future of our nation and its governance. The respective differences that exist are both superficial and obvious, but it is the average American seeking “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” that is affected the most. There is I maintain a dangerous moral dilemma created and draped in political rhetoric that is most recognizable to the keenest of observer. One need not look very far to find a cause or issue that presents itself present in daily life. Countless people are ill without health care insurance and or are underinsured. We trusted banks to keep and maintain our money and investments only to find ourselves bankrupt. Scores of people who desire meaningful employment cannot find jobs. Higher education has somehow because of associated costs plummeted out of reach. Deficits continue to trump surpluses, and socio-economic disparities continue to abound on every level of society.  But be that as it may, somehow the voices of a thousand ages that have historically been ignored have by design been given a platform that is being elevated. It is no accident that the occupy movement has gained seemingly unheard of momentum in virtually every community across the nation. From the largest major city to the smallest town the cry has been the same, “we want to be heard”.  Perhaps Martin King prophetically conceptualized such desire when he affirmed that“riots are the language of the unheard.”   Even more the Occupy Movement has in their quest as I have observed, crossed every boundary that has historically divided us as people.  They tangibly articulate the hurts, longings, misfortunes and other overwhelming matters that are a result of a trickledown effect.  With an abundance of caution I am however optimistically hopeful in the future of our nation and her promise, as hope has always been a part of my African-American experience.  Benjamin Elijah Mays captures such sentiment as he posits,“Tomorrow may not be better, but we must believe that it will be. Wars may never cease, but we must continue to strive to eliminate them. We may not abolish poverty, but we must believe that we can provide bread enough and spare for every creature and find the means to distribute it.” We must if only we believe! BlackCommentator.com Guest Commentator, The Reverend D. D. Prather, is a noted Civil/Social Justice Activist and a native of Atlanta, GA. Click here to contact the Reverend Prather.