“If someone on this bridge had told me fifty years ago that I would be standing here today introducing the first African American president, I would have told them they were crazy, that they had lost their mind.”
With those words, Representative John Lewis introduced President Obama to the crowd gathered at the Edward Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on Saturday, the 50th Anniversary of that historic march.
When the President stepped forward the two men hugged, and it was all I could do to hold back tears. In that moment I realized again for the first time what Barack Obama’s election means to all black Americans.
It means Bloody Sunday was worth it…enduring all the indignities, beatings, jailings, and deaths were worth it…refusing to accept second class citizenship that kept them from voting was worth it.
The Obama Presidency is the living symbol of a movement, of everything the black community has fought for and still is fighting for.
That fact – that this presidency is the symbol of the civil rights struggle – is why disrespect for the President is so wounding, so horrific in the pain it inflicts upon every African American.
Every time this President is disrespected it is a public declaration that the civil rights movement didn’t matter, that John Lewis and others who were beaten for walking across a bridge didn’t matter, that Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination didn’t matter, that the civil rights laws fought for and passed didn’t matter, that giving voting rights to every American didn’t matter.
This is what those who are Obama haters (and I use those words intentionally) don’t get. When they show disrespect for this President, they are showing disrespect for everything this presidency symbolizes.
I am not talking about political differences or disagreements over policies. I am talking about the concerted and persistent effort to question the legitimacy of Barack Obama being President.
From the moment Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina yelled “You lie” during the 2009 State of the Union Address to Netanyahu’s speech last week to threatening to shut down the government at the drop of a hat to every derogatory word uttered that has been directed at the President as a person, all black Americans and all they have fought for have been disrespected.
Why has this been happening? We all know the reason – the evil of racism that still resides in so many people. The President is not a morally bad person. He doesn’t demean his opponents. He doesn’t question their citizenship, their love for America, or their patriotism. But that is what he has endured for the last six years, for no reason other than the color of his skin.
This is not “playing the race card.” It is simply telling the truth.
Racism exists in our politics today as it has from the founding of the nation. We see in it not only in the way the President is treated. We see it in the fact that 38 states have moved to make voting more difficult…in the assumption white people make that most welfare recipients are black…in the subtle ways white commentators suggest most black men don’t want to work…in the racist comments politicians make that have to be walked back.
The fact is unassailable. Millions of Americans still do not believe all people have been created equal or that race should not influence how anyone is treated.
I think that is why when the President and Congressman Lewis hugged one another it released such pent up emotions in me. I was at once moved by what our nation has truly accomplished and at the same time overwhelmed by a deep sadness because there are still so many people trying to tear it all down.
But the President was right. We don’t long for the past, as his opponents do. We look to the future, which is why I am still willing to cling to the hope that the prophet Isaiah got it right, and one day justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
linnposts.com 
Beautifully written, Jan. Thank you.
As always, Kay, thank you.
Superb commentary. For those of us who are white, poignant moments like Lewis hugging Obama are necessary reminders of all who struggled, even died, for equality — and achieved so much in a non-violent manner.
That legacy must be preserved and used as a springboard for future progress, despite our realization that ugly, hateful racism is still alive in the minds and hearts(sic) of so many.
Thank you, Jan, for delivering that heartfelt reminder and glimpse of hope!
Jan, that was a fantastic comment related to how some people and politicians in the U.S.A treat President Obama. I have felt from the very beginning of all this that the heart of it was “racism.” I’m so impressed how you express yourself frankly and honestly in all your columns.
Rev. Rezash, your good words are very humbling. Thank you.
Beautiful!
EXQUISITELY well spoken! And so needed to be spoken (and listened to).
Thank You.
This is exceptional thinking and insight. I throw my hands up, and wonder, “post-racial” America means our country has taken a very intentional step backward in race relations. Obama’s very existence seems to give racists license to levy verbal and physical attacks on not only blacks, but all minorities and forms of diversity.
sorry . . . not only racists, but bigots.
As others here have written, beautiful, Jan! The sad truth of our current regressive situation: every generation must fight these battles, again and again! God give this one, the millennials, the strength and wisdom to do it with grace and dignity.
Explain HOW can anyone honestly disagree with Obama policies of any kind WITHOUT you calling that person who disagrees a “racist”? It seems to be a pre-conceived conclusion that anyone who disagrees is automatically a “Racist”. That is simple name-calling with no basis.
Jan, this is a fine statement. The continuing racism in American life is an illustration of how slowly cultures change. It is right that we celebrate the positive changes that have taken place even as we continue to deplore the continuing hold of older ways.
George P > You are among those who just “don’t get it.” It’s not honest disagreement with policies that is troublesome; it is the consistent pattern of ad hominem attacks since the day he took office that reveals an undercurrent of racism. Can you recall any other president having his citizenship questioned, his religion questioned, his love of country questioned? The man is a Harvard Law grad, but is labeled a community organizer, even a communist! Grab a program next time before you enter the public forum and show your ignorance.
Bill Blackwell: There you go!! Changing the subject to avoid the question and just smear away. Do NOT assume your statements have as much validity as you promote. Now, let’s look at the problem of living in a government with NO BUDGET! Even when both houses were Democrat, NO BUDGET. And 17 TRILLION in debt being passed on to grandchildren and great grandchildren because of poor policies never resolved. How can you possibly say that disagreeing with this bad policy is “racist”?? You are really going to bend yourself like a pretzel, I think.
George P :
I recently swore-off “debating fools,” but in your case I will make this one exception.
Please read carefully what you said and try to follow logically my reply….
In what regard did I change the subject? YOU raised the subject of “racism.”
Who exactly did I “smear”? I simply defended our twice-elected president.
YOU are the one who changed the subject to BUDGETS and DEBT, as far away from Jan’s original focus (equality, justice and love) as one can be.
And where did I say that “disagreeing with ….bad policy is ‘racist’ “? My 2nd sentence above said essentially the opposite.
Regards from the “bended pretzel”……….
The Linn article was about how badly people treat President, and it’s apparantly all because of Racism, according to Linn. That’s where the subject STARTED. I responded “How can people disagree with policies at all, when to disagree suddenly makes one a ‘racist’. The label and accusations fly when one disagrees with policy.” I think YOU missed the message. His “citizenship, religion, love of country, former occupation” have NOTHING to do with policy issues. And calling me a “fool” is, once again, name calling!! Call that Christian?? Disagreeing with policy pulls up the people (did not say you personally, now did I?? That’s an assumption on your part, but if the shoe fits . . . ) who DO want to acuse the disagreeing people with the “Racism” card–I got that from Sunday morning political talk shows!!! So it must be true that this is happening!!!!
And, Bill, have a nice day! :o)
Linn,
Sorry, I said that I was out of here but I just had to come back and add this comment. BiBi just won and all of the dollars spent by out president (our money) did not produce Obamas desired outcome. The over 250k Arabs bussed into vote weren’t enough. “Community Organizing” failed to work this time, maybe next time.
Tying President Obama to Netanyahu’s election is more than a stretch, it’s absurd, and your “community organizing” is a ridiculous reference. Why not speak to the fact that the man you criticize without forethought was elected twice by the a majority of the American people by large margins. According to your statement, “community organizing” worked quite well then.
JM,
I’m sorry you emerged from under that rock where you watch Fox News and stick pins in your Obama doll. Does “white voodoo” work against people with darker skin? Were those Arab citizens not eligible to vote?
To be taken a bit more seriously, you might want to learn to punctuate correctly. An apostrophe is required to show possession in your use of the word “Obamas” in your pathetic attempt to claim that our president proactively tried to influence/control an election in Israel, our ongoing close ally.
If you like BiBi’s hardline stance that can only lead to more bloodshed, you must have loved the neo-con war criminal Dick Cheney’s war on Iraq, which destabilized the entire Middle East and led to IS terrorism.
Time for you to crawl back under that rock, hiding as you do behind initials.
I won’t disagree that community organizing did not work, It worked great! Just ask ACORN where you can get anything you want, just lie about it. You don’t have to look very hard to find out that the US government donated to organizations that supported Netanyahu’s opponent. But at least you have to have a government issued photo ID to vote in Israel. So at least they have some form of accountability. So yes they we’re probably legal to vote but it did not stop the landslide.
Bill, My name is James McCormick. Do you know me any better now. Oh well, back to my rock where I’m learning how to type better. Go attack someone else that disagrees with you.
Sorry Linn, You can keep your discussions with only people that agree with you. Kind of like preaching to the choir.
Peace,
James
James,
You are right, knowing your full name does not help me know you any better. But then I knew all I needed to know from your comments to Mr. Linn and to me.
For some things we can be grateful…..
Peace to you too,
Bill