Expect changes, but not some of the ones you want

For years to come, the night of Tuesday, November 4, 2008 will be a date people will turn fondly towards the other and ask, “Where were you when America elected a black man as president?
At 10:04 p.m., a ‘skinny-legged, that one’ became the President-elect of the failing mess that has become the United States of America.
As I watched Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, California, New Mexico and a host of others turn from yellow to blue, the realization of what America can and will become under the man with an unshakable swagger, the ‘uh-oh’ hit me.
The voting afterglow is starting to wear off, and I want all my ‘brothas and sistas’ who voted for the first time this Tuesday to know that things will not change overnight.
The entire election season, I swallowed my hate for ignorant first-time voters, as they described the magical, wondrous things that Barack—because they’re on a first name basis—was going to do.
“He’s going to make rain in the city!”
“That brother gonna walk on water!”
“(He’s gonna) save the dinosaur!”
“Gummy bears will shoot from hater’s mouths on election night!”
No it isn’t.
While I’m no political pundit on CNN, Fox News or MSNBC, the fact remains that there are some things our new leaders will not be able to do. I would be remiss if I didn’t correct or enlighten my immediate masses on the things that won’t happen in the next four years.
1. The White House will remain white. Having a black man in office has nothing to do with the color of the nation’s capital. Get real.
2. Whatever ‘hook-up’ you were expecting from your incoming president, whatever ‘hook and crook,’ you were planning to ‘pop off’ on January 21, 2009, I’m here to tell you right now: ain’t gonna happen.
3. The nation’s debt, upwards some trillion dollars, will remain long after the Obamas have vacated the office. Any issues, problems or concerns with the next few years are the Bush administration’s fault. New problems are on Obama, but the mess in Iraq and Iran is all W.
4. Don’t think that because Obama is black, that every ‘black problem’ and each black leader’s issues will be resolved—racism will be more pronounced than ever, bigotry is alive and well, and your local hater—The Man—will remain sticking it to you for days, if not years to come.
I humbly ask that the country gives the new man a chance, and not get mad when instant gratification isn’t granted.
We are in a unique position right now—as blacks, a proud position, as Americans, a hopeful one. In 50 years, the Bush-ridden debt will cease to be a factor in the minds of many, as we simply reminisce on the historical night where we watched ‘Yes We Can’ become ‘Yes we DID!”