Letter to the Editor

I am honored to witness so many historic and life changing events, including 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.
One memory my mother and I share is recalls me at age four boldly professing my dream to be the first black President of The United States of America.
A dream at the time to even be spoken or thought of was outlandish due the negative stigmatization of black men. Then on with the help of my politically active parents, I took the necessary steps to enable myself to manifest my dream. I even visited 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, a street name shared with my elementary school St. Phillips School in Dallas, Texas.
Even though I am not president, my dream in fact did come true. As a black man I will live vicariously through Barack Obama. He has accomplished something for black men that was foretold but strongly discouraged to achieve. Yet one concept must be clear; Obama is not the president of black people, but the President of The United States of America. The issues that plague America are greater than isolated black and white issues. If there is any time for the race card, the time is now.
Barak Obama clearly understands the role in which America must play as a “New America” who is “willing to extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist”. An empowered American, I will make my contribution to change as national recording artist using a musical platform to educate and uplift. If Barack has done anything for black men, he serves as concrete motivation of the power to change. Hence, it is because of this ideal that allows me to identify with him not because he’s a Black Man, but because he is an American, and I am too.
Rueben Griffn
Graduate Student
Public Administration
Dallas