Well said. One slight correction though: it wasn't for the first time we were proud to be Americans; it was the first time we were *really* proud to be Americans. There's a difference. I think blacks have always loved this country, always been proud to be American, but been saddened and upset by how it's fallen short of its promises. It's like having a child that you love, that has so much potential, but hasn't yet found his or her course in life. I've even heard parents say, "I've always loved my son, always been proud of him, but i'm really really proud of him for the first time."
Frankly, by dint of volunteering for the military, by playing by the rules, by raising our kids to worship a God and support a country into which we were frankly dragged in chains, I think black Americans can be said to have shown more genuine patriotism, more faith in this country, than any other group. (Except perhaps Natives). I hope more people get that message, but there are always the doubters: witness Rush Limbaugh's "I hope Obama fails" rant. Sigh... Again, well said. -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "ravenadal" <ravena...@yahoo.com> > I, Too, Sing America > > In the tapestry that was the throng blanketing the public concourse > stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the portico where President > Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office, I was struck by a > strange and incongruous sight: a sea of black people waving tiny > American flags. What bizarro world was this? Black people waving > American flags? Get the flux out of here! And yet, there they were, > waving their red, white and blue flags proudly, enthusiastically and > full of the vigor of having obtained their full statehood rights. > First Lady Michelle Obama was vilified for voicing an opinion similar > to what these people were so obviously demonstrating: for the first > time in their adult lives, they were proud to be Americans. > > ~rave! > > >
--- Begin Message ---
I, Too, Sing America
In the tapestry that was the throng blanketing the public concourse
stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the portico where President
Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office, I was struck by a
strange and incongruous sight: a sea of black people waving tiny
American flags. What bizarro world was this? Black people waving
American flags? Get the flux out of here! And yet, there they were,
waving their red, white and blue flags proudly, enthusiastically and
full of the vigor of having obtained their full statehood rights.
First Lady Michelle Obama was vilified for voicing an opinion similar
to what these people were so obviously demonstrating: for the first
time in their adult lives, they were proud to be Americans.
~rave!
--- End Message ---
