Service

This historic day has seem much analysis and praise.  Many words have been thrown around attempting to describe what this day means for this country, African Americans, you, me, etc.  I would like to talk about one word in particular that I find extremely important.  Service.  

It is no secret that Obama has been a strong advocate for service.  He has expressed that numerous times during the election and post-election process.  His support for organizations that I belong to (YouthBuild, AmeriCorps) show the direction he would like to see this country go in.  But, what does service really mean?  

Obama, during his inaugural speech, defined service as a "willingness to find meaning in something greater then themselves".  To me this was a defining moment of his speech and one that speaks loudly to all American's today.  My last blog was focused on the Me-First generation.  The theory that these past couple of generations are too worried about their own feelings, self-esteem and issues to show enough concern for their fellow people and communities.  What we have today is a generation of people that think first about their own needs and wants and being happy, placing the concerns of the whole behind (if even considering at all).  Our communities have become distant shells of what they once were, our middle class has disappeared, our poor have seen better days, and WE ALL feel someone owes US.  Illegal immigrants have an easier time finding jobs because they are willing to work as opposed to US citizens who refuse to work at less respectable locations because they are WORTH MORE.  Our parents cannot find the time to parent, and when they do, live vicariously through the children by enrolling them in activities that make themselves (the parent) feel good.  These examples all demonstrate how America has become a country/culture of people more focused on themselves.  

Obama wants us to realize that for America to once again regain its footing and climb out of these difficult times we must believe in something greater than ourselves.  How can WE give back, how can WE help, how are WE going to overcome.  I see many people throwing the world hope around.  This is rightfully so as Obama has used this as a platform for his election and then after.  Hope entails of better days to come, which we all would like to see, but it also entails a passive mentaility.  Obama is strongly against this.

On his track Champion Requiem, Mos Def raps, "I was taught when there's something you can change around, keep quiet, you got nothing to complain about, you got work to do, I don't know if that works for you, but thats how Mos works it through...".  To me Obama is reiterating this idea.  Lets not find hope in the future, lets make this new future together.  Lets roll up our sleeves (as he did on the election trail - very symbolic) and get busy together.  I can not fix this, you can not fix this, but together we can make a change.  

No matter what your job is, Obama is imploring US to fulfill your duty of service and help make this country even greater.  How can WE help in our families, in our communities, in our inner circles, in our outer circles?  How can we give back, whether large or small to make a difference.  How can WE find meaning and reasoning in something greater than our own needs, wants and desires?

How will Obama do during his presidency?  If you want to know listen to Mos Def's (once again) explanation of the future direction of Hiphop on his intro track to Black on both Sides.  Mos explains that Hiphop will go where the people go.  This country will go where its citizens go.  Obama will succeed or fail as the people succeed or fail.  So, let's not just hope for change, lets be that change that we want to see in this country.