Columnist Bernie Hayes
Addressing the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, U.S. Senator Barack Obama said, “My parents shared not only an improbable love, they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They imagined me going to the best schools in the land, even though they weren’t rich, because in a generous America you don’t have to be rich to achieve your potential.”
Everyone needs to be self-motivated to boost their passion. When inspiration meets self-assurance, it can work wonders and you can achieve your dreams. I realize that the African-American experience is more complex than usually conceived, and the pride you have within yourself determines your success or failure. This is why I hope the image of President-elect Barack Obama will encourage our youths to pull up their sagging britches and also realize that receiving an education does not equate to “acting white.”
I hope that young people who are saggin’ will develop a new sense of self-respect. I hope these young persons will acquire an understanding, appreciation, and celebration of black culture and, after witnessing the historic victory of President-elect Obama, will adapt successfully to our evolving multicultural society.
The president-elect puts children first by investing in early childhood education, making sure our schools are adequately funded and led by high-quality teachers, and he will tell you that wearing pants below the waist so that underwear is in full view is not a fashion statement, but reflective of a subculture of drugs and crime. It also had sexual connotations for men in prison. He knows that the sagging of pants has dropped to all-new lows with some male teens and that young people have to be the ones to effect change.
Obama also is conscious of the “acting white” concept that suggests some black students are deterred from trying their hardest in school for fear of being teased by their peers. He recognizes that self-esteem goes to the very heart of our personal growth and accomplishment and that it’s not just black children who face ridicule and ostracism by their peers if they do well in school.
Our president-elect stresses that our self-esteem affects our behavior and those with high self-esteem tend to attribute their success to qualities within ourselves. Aspiring to an education is not acting white, but it is doing right by preparing us to go forward seeking the American Dream, however challenged that dream might be in these difficult economic times.
President-elect Obama is poised to make changes on the economy, education, the environment, energy, ethics, foreign policy, health care, social security and taxes. I am positive he also will continue to challenge our young people to pull up their pants and lift up their heads.
Do you have a list of changes you would like add to the agenda?
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or by e-mail at: berhay2swbell.net