???While I was watching the Inauguration this past Tuesday in The Spectrum office, one thing that I observed on television was millions of people, of all races, crying and becoming very emotional over this momentous event.
???All along the broadcast you could hear reporters say how the election of Barack Obama has brought hope to Americans everywhere.
???Then I took a look at myself. Not once during the whole ceremony did I cry or even have the urge to grab and hug someone.
???This was shocking to me because I had the predetermined notion that as an African-American, the swearing in of Barack Obama as the United States' 44th president should have sparked the same emotion in me that other blacks were feeling.
???The rest of that day I struggled with that issue. I wanted to know if there was something wrong with me.
???Then I realized the problem with me was the concept that Obama represented hope. Don't get me wrong; The swearing in of Obama into office is clearly one of the most memorable moments of my life. But to say that this event has brought me hope would be a lie.
???The election of Obama has not given me hope, but it has given me the motivation and re-assurance that with hard work and a little bit of faith, any dream is possible.
???You see, to say that it has brought me hope suggests that I did not have hope before this time. I have always known that I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to.
???Some people only find hope in other peoples' accomplishments. But what would America be if the individuals who had a lasting impact on our history waited for the next guy to achieve something before they did themselves?
???What if Amelia Earhart waited until another women had the courage to fly across the Atlantic Ocean before she attempted it? Or what if Barack waited until another black person was elected president before he decided to run?
???We sometimes have the tendency to focus on the external factors that keep us from our goals, and we forget that self-determination will get us through any obstacle.
???As Roger Dawson once said, "Within each of us is a hidden store of energy/ Energy we can release to compete in the marathon of life/ Within each of us is a hidden store of courage/ Courage to give us the strength to face any challenge/ Within each of us is a hidden store of determination/ Determination to keep us in the race when all seems lost."
???So don't let the presidency of Obama bring you hope, but let it bring out the hope that is already in you.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
