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Post-Election Reflections
by the Beloved Community Center
Nov. 6, 2008
["This victory alone is not the change we seek-- it is only the chance for us to make the change" (President-elect, Barack Obama's vicotry speech, November 4, 2008)]
On Wednesday, November 5, 2008 the Beloved Community Center hosted a post presidential election dialogue. The dialogue inspired conversation and reflection about the historical election and about president-elect Barack Obama's call to people to be agents of change within their various communities. Members of the beloved community have been challenged to think about the ways in which we can strategize around post-election momentum and work to address the issues that are pressing and important to us.
Older community members shared stories of their personal struggles during the Jim Crow era and how the election of the first African-American president is indicative of a long and overdue change in the country's social structure. Many noted that the possibility of change gives them hope, and that they are witnessing their dreams of a different America come into fruition.
Younger community members noted that they felt inspired by the election and they too feel hopeful about the country's direction. Some students and younger community members shared accounts of students and citizens flooding the streets to celebrate what they deemed a victory of change.
All agreed to continue to look deeper into the process and discern the collective changes that need to be made to push forth a positive reality, and heed the challenge of "being the change."
Rev. Nelson Johnson reminded everyone that the work of building a more just society and peaceful world begins in the sentiments expressed by President-elect, Barack Obama, "Block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand".