I woke up on Friday, January 20th 2017 feeling like Master Yoda in Episode III, when the evil Sith Lord Darth Sidious issued executive order 66 (which was to annihilate all remaining Jedi throughout the galaxy); a major heartache and pain as I felt the souls of the American people who were on the progressive train suddenly just fall off the track.
I refused to watch the inauguration of President #45, but what I did see on my news feed on Facebook is the scenes of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama leave the U.S. Capitol and then later board Air Force One for the final time. Those scenes almost broke me down because in that moment, I felt like progress and change was leaving with them as the somber skies of D.C were also crying as well. That day, I didn’t want to talk about politics with anyone, so I was very glad to have enjoyed the rest of that day with family and friends.
Then on Saturday January 21st, something amazing happened. I witnessed the entire world join the United States in a way that I haven’t seen since Occupy Wall Street; people coming together to stand up for women’s rights in America. It was indeed a beautiful sight as I was riding the train that day; seeing the beauty of the people of my city and America as citizens from all backgrounds were coming together to stand up against this administration and his policies.
It was indeed a beautiful sight to behold and indeed the distaste for this man and his administration is known. As I watched, I asked the question that I have asked when it came to every movement: how long will this momentum last? Will it just be a façade? Will it just be another social media trend? I have asked myself these things because it truly breaks my heart that we the people, come together for a day or two and it’s all over the social and mass media outlets and after a week or so later, its faded into existence.
Years ago, I have said on a radio interview when the unfortunate slaying of Trayvon Martin occurred that I would put my annual salary that in 100 days, this movement and series of protests will cease because we lack consistency. Unfortunately, at that time, I was correct. What I have noticed with today’s social movements is that it lacks progress because it lacks consistency. We treat movements exactly like a hashtag; if the hashtag is hot it will be among the top trending topics, but once it dies out, it is gone.
We cannot treat the United States of America’s state of progressivism as a hashtag. We have to be out there every day, using our phones, pictures and social media to put the power of the American people before the world every day to fight for what we believe in. We have to shove progress down the throats of those who sole purpose is to set America back by spewing hatred and presenting policies that doesn’t show equality and justice for all. We have to write about it, speak about it and challenge the status quo everyday if we truly believe that this is our country of great people who desire to see change.
A wave is something that cannot be stopped once it gains momentum and speed; it has the capacity to destroy and uproot anything in its path. The wave of change has to be just that but stronger, faster and more powerful than ever before. I encourage all of us, as Americans to carry the mantle of change to fight and stand up for the rights of ALL AMERICANS.
In the name of this wave, we will destroy anything that stands in the way of the rights of women; the rights of African-Americans, the rights of Hispanic/Latino-Americans; the rights of Asian and European Americans, the rights of LGBTQ Americans, the rights of immigrants who are fighting for an opportunity to be a part of the great American quilt of people; the rights of our brothers and sisters who are wearing the uniform to serve in our military and protect us here and around the world, the rights of those men and women who are veterans and treat them with the upmost respect and care that they need; the rights of our seniors who need the love and support of the American family.
This is what we must do if we are to continue the wave of change that President Obama told the country to do when he ran in 2008 and 2012. We cannot stop, we must move forward and it takes all of us to come together as one; one UNITED States of America and hold truth that this is the land of unity, liberty, independence and justice.
O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine! —America the Beautiful.