Wednesday, January 21, 2009

REFLECTION - From Then to Now

As I commuted to work today on the train, my MP3 player started one of my oldies by Curtis Mayfield - New World Order. As some of you may know, Curtis and Marvin had a prolific vision regarding our people and what challenges we face on a day-to-day basis. These two men strongly emphasized the plight of a BLACK man. Let's take a look at some of the verses from that song:

Darkness no longer, a child is born
Mother shed tears of joy as baby test his lungs...
Another victim born out here in the hood
And based on statistics it really ain't all good...
The hunt is on and brother you're the prey
Serving time in jail, it just ain't the way...
Operation influx and it's on the way
We've just marched a million plus the other day...
O, what a fulfillment of prophecy...
It's okay to cry, go ahead and cry
'Cause Jesus wept but hope and faith he kept...
..."Cause people, the answer to your prayers are here...
There's no need to worry, the times dictate a plan
Mother Earth's given birth to a brand new man
Sister I know you're misunderstood
But hold on to your man, 'cause the future looks good
Beware of the lies and false prophecies...
You must be merciful my frien to obtain the same
So if you break the chain don't pass the blame
We should say unto all and I'll say it again
It's not just to win, shake a hand, make a friend...

Although this is just a sampling of the song itself, the words are very profound. The black man and the black family have been split way too long - it is time for a new day. The black family has been played on television in two very contrasting ways - Good Times and The Cosby show. Each show revealed the best and worst of circumstances that plague us. I say it is time for a new day.

The Obama family has moved into the White House and are front and center for all to see. They are a strong knit family and they bring the black family to the forefront as well. However, this time, it is LIVE, up close, personal. This is a real family with real issues, working them out as it should be. I say "a new day" has come.

In closing, the chorus line reads:
A new world order, a brand new day. A change of mind for the human race.
It's a new day, it's a new day.
Yes, Lord, it's a new day.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really like what you have written here. The Obama family is up close and personal. Best of all it's real life. We use to only get to see this on t.v. with shows such as Family matters and the Cosby show, but this is the real thing. It's great to be able to experience it and truely now that our day has come.

Unknown said...

I agree that its a new day. I know that I seem to be young in both age and experience, and I know that I am blessed to be in a generation that can accept change. Yet I have experienced predjudice, racism and ignorance from all aspects, includong the black community. These new faces show the best of the Cosby family bonding, they take pride in the struggle of "Good Times", and they take the drive and ambition of "The Jeffersons". All I know is that these changes have given me hope for what I saw as a bleak future for the community and I pray that we all take notes--especially the young black men and women of my generation.