It was a bright spring morning in the city that has earned the name Hotlanta. I walked out of my Doraville apartment into downtown Atlanta to join the crowd of worshipers awaiting the arrival of American Idol. The rising popularity of the leading Democratic candidate for the 2008 US presidential election, Barack Obama, and his larger-than-life profile of him is what prompted a New York Times reviewer of the book of the. the audacity of hope to give the title given to the winner of the popular American television show american idol.
Obama, an African-American whose father is Kenyan and his mother a white American, has captured the attention of the entire nation as he rose to fame in the race for the Democratic nomination, virtually beating previously undisputed front-runner Hillary Clinton.
Obama was going to appear at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) this Saturday morning, April 14, for a rally and I was not going to be left behind in the mad race to see this new American celebrity turned into a genius political. By the time I arrived at Georgia Tech, there was already a large crowd swaying and swaying to the music coming from the flutes and drums of the Clark Atlanta Marching Band. It was a long wait before the day’s MC showed up announcing Obama’s arrival, but he wanted us to shout out our excitement before inviting his guest onstage.
The MC left the stage inviting us to listen to more music, but this time, the sounds of Stevie Wonder’s “Signed Sealed Delivered” blared through the giant speakers. Then came the Rev. Dr. Joseph Larry, a civil rights activist, who would lead us in prayer saying that Obama “seeks spiritual guidance as he embarks on this campaign to seek executive leadership of this nation.” That’s when I picked up a pen and began jotting down the personal achievement lessons to be learned from Obama’s speech.
My first thought is that prayer is important in the pursuit of success. So always look for guidance when you set your goals and when you go out looking for them. In the words of the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale “Prayer releases power!”
A daughter of former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson led the gathering to sing the US national anthem, the starry banner.
Then came the event everyone was waiting for. Obama took to the stage filling the entire park with pulsating enthusiasm. “Thank you, thank you very much,” he sang, saying that it was so wonderful to have such a gigantic crowd gathered to hear him; “There is something that moves in this country”! He began by saying that the country yearned for change. As I refocused my mind on the importance of his message to the person’s success, I noticed another quote that said, “We don’t think we can make a change.” There is the problem, I told myself. Most people are not satisfied with their current condition but at the same time do not believe that they can make a change.
As Obama continued his eloquent oratory, he emphasized the need for people to keep HOPE alive. Yes, HOPE is the eternal elixir that will keep you going in the face of any adversity. He told a riot of applause that “ordinary people can do extraordinary things.”
And then my mind floated to the thought of a gentleman who was born in a town called HOPE in Arkansas. He was a man who kept HOPE in him as he dreamed of becoming the President of the United States, despite great adversities such as lack of money and having to campaign against a son of the most powerful family in the world, William Jefferson. Clinton became president of the United States of America. He then went on to become one of the most popular faces on planet earth as he doles out millions of dollars helping the sick and disadvantaged around the world through the Bill Clinton Foundation.
Continuing his message of Hope, Obama advised the crowd that with HOPE they can turn their challenges into opportunities. And in fact he was telling us something that he knew a lot about. When he began his bid for the Democratic Party nomination, many people told him that he had many good prospects as a young lawyer and Harvard graduate. They told him that politics is too unpleasant for him. But Obama knows very well that no one can tell him what he should do. Indeed, he has risen against all odds to become such an imposing figure on the national stage. That’s what it takes to claim your place in this world.
Keep HOPE alive with persistence and move forward in your positive direction. No one knows enough to tell you what to do. Chart your own course from your dreams and keep moving.
As Obama proceeded with his speech introducing his program and his plans for a new America, if elected to office, he repeated a phrase that I eventually dubbed his refrain of the day: It can be done! and that word THEY CAN it is the best tool for anyone who wants to build a great future for himself.
At the end of the rally, as people dispersed, a large crowd gathered around Obama, some trying to get him to autograph their copies for his book, while others like me struggled for a handshake. In fact, it was difficult to get to him with his security detail, but I did everything in the HOPE of having my brush with history that day. I stood on tiptoe and reached my hand through the group in front of me, all trying to reach the man. I think he must have seen the HOPE shining in my eyes that I will surely shake his hand, he reached out his hand to reach me and I had a grip and a warm handshake with Obama! It was the perfect ending for me to a great day.
Coming home on a train I met two elderly African American women with balloons and other Obama 08 paraphernalia. I wondered what the motivation must have been for them to leave their house this hot morning to come see Obama. The only answer could be “the audacity of hope”. Curious, I asked one of them “do you think Obama will make it to the white house?” His answer was brief, precise and full of meaning: We wait!
Yes, HOPE is what keeps Obama going and HOPE is the message he brought us. HOPE is what he needs in his quest for success in life. In time, hope crystallizes in faith, and with prayer even the mountains will yield to the determined man who continues to push with the audacity of hope.
I parted ways with the two old ladies and made the final part of my bus ride home, still thinking about my meeting with Barrack Obama. His words still ring in my ears; His final words to her were that we should “take off our slippers and put on our walking shoes”!
I better put down my pen now and put on my walking shoes to move forward in my positive direction!
