A little hope goes a long way

Allow me to clarify, this is not a blog to endorse a specific candidate, but merely my reflection on the recent happenings of the presidential nomination race. By now I am sure you have grown weary of hearing the word "change" which has been thrown around like the word "like" by your typical teenage girl. I also agree with author and activist Jim Wallis who believes that there can only be limited change from any candidate since whoever wins in November will become the head man or woman of a broken governmental system. At the same time, I find myself moved, inspired and hopeful when I listen to the words of Barack Obama. 

About a month ago, Obama delivered what I argue was his best and most moving speech to date. The speech was given in response to the media's free-for-all on the sound bites from Obama's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. The speech given by Obama was yet another reason for hope. Not misguided hope, but a hope directed toward the unity and healing of America on the issue of race. Hope that Americans, of all colors, can move forward by acknowledging the past sins of this country yet working together to see where we are and where we can go from here. The speech (which was actually written by Obama) was a profound and significant moment for this race and politics in general. 

Over the past week we have witnessed the reemergence of Jeremiah Wright who tried to publicly defend his previous comments only to make matters worse. Obama again was forced to make a public statement. This time Obama not only condemned the words of Wright but also separated himself further form his pastor of twenty years. I recall these recent chain of events because it seems that the words of Wright have seriously made some Americans question the candidacy of Obama. I find this disheartening because it's all too typical of the politics that Obama has worked so hard to overcome. 

One of my seminary professors said the other day that he has not seen a figure like Obama with the potential to bring healing to this country since the likes of JFK or MLK Jr. That's a profound statement and it would be unfortunate to see the possibility of change diminished by the words of a candidates ex-pastor and not the candidate himself. I HOPE and pray that people can look beyond the attacks of the media and opposing candidates and see the opportunity we as a United country have to change the political and racial landscape that has plagued us for far too long.