Tuesday, January 20, 2009

THE INAUGURATION: THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW

It snowed here in Memphis Tn. this morning. It probably snowed in alot of different places in America today, but snow in Memphis is a very rare event. When I looked outside and saw it, it was then I realized that the day was special. I don't know, but given the historical significance of the day, I saw the snow as simply frozen tears of joy from my ancestors who have gone on before me. More specifically, I think it was the frozen tears of Martin Luther King Jr. After all, Memphis Tn. is the city where his life came to an end.

Having said that, its important to note that the title to this blog is actually a phrase taken from one of his speeches. To me, it puts into context what this day is or was about. You see, now only exists, well, right now. Right now is now, and it too will be history. What happens right now sets precedence for the future. Its great to look back and see how far we have come, but as Americans we must realize that in looking forward, we must understand what now is about. Ladies and gentlemen, change is here, change is you. Its what you do right now that determines what the future will look like.

Its important to understand that the events of today are a result of more than 2yrs of a campaign. What we saw today was something that was set in motion decades ago by some very brave, optimistic people who believed; people who dared to challenge the status quo; people with a heavy dose of ambition; people who were filled with hope. These were people who were not comfortable in the right now, or how life as they knew it was accepted widely in our society. So what did they do? They got up and decided to change their circumstances. I suspect that even then, they knew that through their efforts, this day would come.

This is why I don't buy into the sentiment expressed by many that they never thought this day would ever come. Yes I know its almost unbelievable for many; I understand that. But in the right now, the events of today should serve as encouragement, and motivation to act in the now. Your actions right now do have an effect on you, me and everybody in society at large. Believe it or not, but it does.

In closing I want to leave you with one of my favorite mantras that I've adopted in my adult life: There are two things you can do with time, you can either waste it, or invest in it. Today, I'm grateful that there were people who came before me who decided to see the neccessary urgency of now. If they didn't, I'm sure the world would be a very different place.

What are your thoughts right now?

36 comments:

Kit (Keep It Trill) said...

That was really nice post, Rippa. You usually do comedy and it well, but I liked the serious tone. Perfect for the occassion. I was also surprised about the genesis of the title of your blog. Cool.

Maybe more of our lost folk will have enough hope to invest in their time rather than waste it now...

Loved today.

RiPPa said...

@Kit: Thanks so much. Today has been a helluva beautiful day, but a day without ignrance. I've encountered people today who actually said that they were tired of him being referred to as the first Black president. They felt the need to make the point that he's half white.

It was then that I realized that some people may have missed the point of what today was about. The sad thing, is that this was expressed by more than one person.

But hey, its understandable how people attempt to steal your joy. Its nothing new really. They've stolen pretty much everything from us.

I have something kinda funny and ignorant to post in draft, but I couldn't let the moment slip me bye if I didn't get this out.

BTW: I've been debating this with some ignorant white people earliwr in the eveing right before posting this.

uglyblackjohn said...

Of course he's half white.
THAT has to be the reason he succeeded(?).
But if the news was that he just robbed a store or raped a white woman - he would QUICKLY become 100% Black.
Nice post.

Ann Brock said...

Nice post Rippa I couldn't have said it better.

Anonymous said...

"the events of today should serve as encouragement, and motivation to act in the now. Your actions right now do have an effect on you, me and everybody in society at large. Believe it or not, but it does"


EXACTLY! I think his speech hit that on the nail! It's time to start taking responsiblity for yo self, period! Accountability not only as a country but as individuals!
dsp

RiPPa said...

@UBJ: Damn I wish I would have thought of that to say to the woman I encountered who felt the need to remind me that he was half white.

@jjbrock: Thanks my friend. I'm sure as a Black woman you can understand this all too well.

@DSP: I think people were looking forward to an awe inspiring speech like he has given throughout the campaign and were not expecting that. But he said nothing but the truth in my book.

achoiceofweapons said...

Very cool post indeed!
Jaycee

Anonymous said...

I still remember seeing Obama announce that he was running for president. I remember being really impressed, but I didn't think he'd make it 2 years ago. But his is amazing - I think he has the ability to inspire this country to reinvent ourselves!

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