its not better, but its a start…

our ills in this country are quite a distance from solved.

the story on the news is unfortunately not that we have elected a competent, energetic, serious, young, and thoughtful person to lead our country for the next four years.

no, the story on the news is that we have elected a black man to do so.

we have not come so far as we thought.  when the newness of it all wears off, will his ancestry still be the focal point?  we can hope not, but hope is one thing…  understanding of self is another.  if he succeeds, will he be the black president who helped america and americans reach for their potential, or will he simply be the president?  if he stumbles, will his policies be berated in the same breath that his skin tone is uttered, or will only his decisions be the focus?

hope…. again – in each case we can hope for the latter, but will not be surprised if we see the former.

"The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.
          Next comes the ruler they love and praise;
          Next comes one they fear;
          Next comes one with whom they take liberties.
When there is not enough faith, there is lack of good faith.
          Hesitant, he does not utter words lightly.
          When his task is accomplished and his work done
          The people all say, ‘It happened to us naturally’ "

–Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching

have we come so far then really?  no, i think not.  i do not disparage the effort, and i believe that we have taken an enormous step towards the storm, but the gathering dark will only be pushed back when the story is not that we have elected a black man, or a woman, or any other external marker is used to define a person, but rather we have chosen a leader and not a color.

my students are sure that he will be assassinated (oh yes, i have a full time middle school position now).  this morning i saw footage of john junior peeking out from under JFK’s desk and felt a chill.