Dear Readers,
A new President will be in the White House. It’s interesting to me that even in my short lifetime. I’ve seen so many things happen that show the world is changing for the better.
In the late 1980’s, I worked at the United Nations in New York City and I remember a man who would sit in committee meetings. He was with the Pan Africanist Movement. According to wikipedia.com. Pan-Africanism is a sociopolitical world view, and philosophy which seeks to unify both native Africans and those of the African diaspora, as part of a "global African community". We would talk about South Africa’s racial hatred and he would tell me that apartheid was a long way from being over. I would always tell him that he was wrong and he should wish for freedom.
From 1990 to 1991, the legal apparatus of apartheid was abolished.
We’re in a new time and a new era. But with that new time and new era comes new responsibilities.
Barack Obama is African American but he was also chosen as the President of the United States. As African Americans revel in his victory, I wished I could see the same hope in my local community. My local community is your local community.
It’s time for us to begin to look at the world a little differently. There are things that I wish to see happen under my Audacity of Hope banner.
Now that the party is over, there’s real work that needs to be done. The adage that there are some who are going to have to work harder because of who they are or the color of their skin is going to be in full effect. We the people will have to help Obama collectively as we helped him win this election.
He cannot do this by himself.
One of my suggestions is regarding our local sororities and fraternities. Have annual ball together (only for one year. I understand the need for autonomy). I believe that the savings would be exponential. If each group took half of the money that it would have cost them to have their own event and put it into a charity like Black, Child and Family Institute or the Black College Tour, it would be great. If it’s only the funds that would have been put into renting the facility, it would be helpful for the above referenced organizations.
If that isn’t a good idea put it back into your own organization and give out food scholarships for children’s families who are receiving free lunch.
The Carefree Clinic that serves many of our sick without financial means needs your help. I’m sure they would love a donation and your assistance could possibly help with Obama’s universal health plan.
I like you are interested in what we can do collectively to make a difference and I mean no disrespect. We have to be creative in our attempt to give back. I hope that I have planted a seed in all who read this.
Sincerely,
Rina Risper
"One of us is not as great as all of us together" African Proverb
