I am a huge OBAMA supporter and so you can imagine my excitement when I received this in my Planet Tonga email...
To Anapesi Kaili, Planet Tonga Website:
Thank you for your request for press credentials to cover the official events sponsored by the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009 (PIC). This letter is your official notification that the Planet Tonga Website has been selected by the 2009 Presidential Inauguration Committee to cover events at the upcoming Presidential Inaugural events.
Please find all the necessary information attached.
We look forward to seeing you!
Thank you,
Media Credentialing Department Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009
As you all know, I have been a huge Obama supporter from the very beginning, when I first heard him speak at the DNC in 2004, when he posed the question: Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope? I have always been conflicted about America’s two dominating party politics because I didn’t feel that either one of them fully represented the complexities of my life (and those around me) and the values we espouse based on culture, experience, spirituality and the list goes on.
Yet, somehow his words really moved me, it made me think much deeper about the role of politics in our lived realities, especially as Pacific Islanders, who seem to always be excluded from these political discussions. His words resonated with issues that I had been grappling with in my work among Pacific Islander young people, and when he said we need to “eradicate the slander that says a black youth with a book is acting white” I was quite surprised that a politician was actually aware of and would raise this issue that is often referred to in the Tongan community as being “fie palangi” and how this construct has been used to silence, divide, essentialize, marginalize, and restrict the creativity and intellect of many of our young people. I chose at that time to slowly move toward a politics of hope, but approaching it with a critical eye!
I must admit that throughout this presidential campaign, I have doubted whether or not it could actually really happen, that we as American citizens (regardless of race, class and gender) would come together to vote for an African American to be President of the United States. My doubts were not because I felt President Obama wasn’t ready (because clearly to me he was the best candidate) but rather I was unsure if America was ready. I mean let’s just keep it real—to willingly trust White America would be an act of historical stupidity—yet at the same time to ignore how far we have come would be to disrespect and dishonor the sacrifices of many who have come before us and have given their lives so that we can be closer to actualizing our own dreams and on a more personal note, it’s their sacrifices which have made it possible for me to be here blogging about these very issues.
Putting my doubts aside, I chose to be hopeful and this past Tuesday, it became a reality as Senator Obama became President-elect Obama! Do I think this means that America is now post-racial (as many would like to think)? Absolutely Not! Do I think that this election serves as a paradigm shift in America? Not Yet! Do I see a shift in consciousness? Possibly!
This election, in my opinion is about America finally growing up and rejecting the politics of fear! It is about young people yearning to hold America accountable to its promises and ideals (which for centuries have only benefitted a privileged few)! This election is a reminder that grassroots efforts is where change always starts and that community organizers totally rocked the country (in your face McCain, Palin, Guilanni and others who mocked community organizers)!
This election is not just an African American victory, it is an American victory! It is a reminder to all politicians (democrats, republicans, independents, etc.) that American politics needs to generate a new kind of language and policies that reflects the uniqueness of this moment in our history and the possibilities this election can and must create. It is a reminder that we as citizens must do some serious grassroots politics if we want to continue to foster this momentum of change that is sweeping through our country!
I strongly believe that how President Obama governs will be determined on how we as citizens take up our own responsibilities and hold Washington accountable to its promises. As the late Roosevelt reportedly told those who were in charge of the Labor Movement, “I agree with you, now go out and make me do it!”
I believe this is the attitude that we must embrace, especially in this time in our history!
I leave you with the music and lyrics of one of my all time favorite music artist-- Sam Cooke!
...It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come...
A Change Is Gonna Come Sam Cooke (1964)
I was born by the river in a little tent And just like the river, I've been running ever since It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come
It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die I don't know what's up there beyond the sky It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come
I go to the movie, and I go downtown Somebody keep telling me "Don't hang around" It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come
Then I go to my brother and I say, "Brother, help me please" But he winds up knocking me back down on my knees
There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come
A very wise Tongan elder once said "human reality is human creation, if we fail to create our own reality someone else will do it for us" ('epeli hau'ofa). This blog is my attempt at speaking of and creating my own reality! Please feel free to speak your truth just don't hate on mine... However, if you are going to be a hater, please spell check your comments before posting because the only thing worse than a hater is a hater who can't spell...
Posts
