Election 2010: Being Black, In Red, White, & Blue America

The elections for 2010 are over. The Republicans won big and regained a majority in the House. The Democrats held the majority in the Senate, and the Tea Party got its foot in the door. I watched President Obama deliver, what initially sounded like a concession speech with undertones of a troubled next two years. The question most asked, “Was the election result a referendum on Obama or his policies?” In other words, are the people sending a personal message, or is this just about the policy decisions Obama has made. As much as I cringed at the sight of some of the signs held up at the Tea Party rallies, I must admit that it was refreshing to see a “Movement of The People” re-surface in America and take Washington to task. When I recall the imagery, of the civil rights movement on film, I wonder when African Americans are going to get off the sidelines and back to the protest politics of the 1960’s where we gained the very privileges we enjoy today. This election was a referendum on the rather quieted voice of Blacks in American politics. The United States of America is as much our country as any other race of people. Every group voiced their expectations, from less government, to immigration reform and gay rights. Every group with a gripe verbalized their discontent in the fray except African Americans – yet we are faring worse in every area, indeed America has a cold, but we have the flu! It is high time to awake out of our sleep.