The Promise of America

Last night, close to 11 p.m., my family and I watched intently as Senator Barack Obama became President-elect Barack Obama. For me, as I spoke to my 3-year-old son and my wife (with a baby on the way) I said, "I'm glad we we're alive to see this moment."

Although, I have no delusions that all issues of poverty, war, racism, sexism, and classism are resolved in one election, the significance of this moment should not be overlooked. The third President elected from Illinois (Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant are the others) is a sign of a mosaic, multicultural leadership that was embraced by millions of U.S. citizens. Senator McCain aptly put it this way last night, "This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and the special pride that must be theirs tonight." I would add that it has special significance for people all around the world. Namely, the election of a multiracial candidate means that this country is willing and ready to vote for a person who at one time in our tragic history would not be allowed to vote or was considered a slave.

"Stony the road we trod" are some of the famous words penned by James Weldon Johnson in "Lift Every Voice and Sing", the African-American National Anthem. This is a fitting description of African-Americans history from slavery, to Jim-Crow segregation, to the Civil Rights movement, and now an African-American president.

Independent of who we voted for in this election the presidency of Barack Obama is a turning of a page in U.S. history. Even if we as a country still have a ways to go this is a significant step. President-elect Obama, the first president born in the 1960s, the first multiracial president, demonstrates that we are in a mosaic historical shifting not only in demographics but also the U.S. consciousness.

As a student of African-American history who has read closely W.E. B. DuBois, Ida Wells Barnett, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Fannie Lou Hamer I recognize that the reality of an African-American serving in the highest office in the land is a tribute to their lives and sacrifices. I can only imagine that chorus of witnesses words for this moment. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or of any other voting block a black president is a historical accomplishment. I pray that we continue to travel toward the day that people of color are no longer in the words of Ralph Ellison, "The Invisible Man or Woman."

I am also a Latino Evangelical pastor who believes that one of the strengths of this democracy is the peaceful transfer of elected power. I congratulate Senator McCain for his magnanimity and noble character in defeat and for speaking about unity in the midst of difference. After this election I would pray that all people would exemplify the civility and graciousness that both Obama and McCain modeled and encouraged last night.

Finally (and this is a critical point), as a person of faith I realize that no person can change or save the world. This is why I am registered as an independent voter. It is unfair to set Messianic expectations on Barack Obama or any presidential administration. President-elect Obama is not a messiah nor has he ever claimed to be. As a Christian, I believe it is idolatrous to make of any elected official a Lord or Savior. President-elect Obama has made and will make mistakes. Many of us will disagree with him on issues. When necessary we should make our differences known; that is the privilege of democracy. In Obama's words, "we have a steep climb."

President-elect Obama will have to deal with global poverty, financial crisis, immigration reform, terrorism, wars abroad, and many other challenges. Because I am acutely aware of the challenges before the world I am a tamed-optimist. Because I know that politics are not the solution to all problems I am engaged participant. Because I know that history has both progress and regress I am a prayerful-activist.

I am part of an increasing number of Christians and people of faith with a broadening moral agenda. For all people in the U.S. and the world what we should be mindful of is that the world we live in today is a stony road but not an impossible one. For all people of good will my prayer is that we would work together across differences to seek justice and the common good. My prayer is that we would hold President-elect Obama and all our elected officials accountable for a new more civil style of politics and governance. I pray for President-elect Obama and his family as I pray for all leaders in government. May God grant you health, long-life, a blessed family, and give you the wisdom to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before your God.

By Gabriel Salguero  |  November 7, 2008; 1:42 PM ET  | Category:  Religion & Politics
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Posted by: PatStrickland | November 8, 2008 12:57 AM
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