Historic Days!

This is an Historic Day. I never really thought it would come... call me a man of little faith or someone stuck in the past. But, the evidence was strongly in support of my stance, and I don't feel bad for holding it. I am one of those guys that expects you to prove something has changed before you expect me to believe it has changed.

So, when the weather man told me it would snow today... I did not believe it. They said it would snow at Midnight. It didn't, I was awake and there was no snow. Then they said 3 a.m. Wrong again... and I can give personal testimony to that. They came back and said that 7 a.m. was the new magic number... but my old body just was not up for a true all-nighter. So, I went to sleep finally, only to wake up to my son screaming about the Snow MAN falling from the sky. Apparently in his mind this is all the death of some huge cosmic snow man who is giving his life for our enjoyment. Either that or we have not clearly communicated the concept of "snow" as separate from "snow man". I will stick with the first one because it is somehow more cool in my mind, and it gives a story of sacrifice and love!

Of course you will be seeing the words "Historic Day" in other contexts today as well. That is because today History is being made as we inaugurate the first Black president in America. Perhaps I should have said African American, but honestly I do not like all of those Adjective American descriptions. And, if I am admitting things then let me admit also that I hope this day will not be such a big deal in 50 years. It is my sincere hope that just like a true professional does not celebrate every touchdown or tackle with a 5-minute victory dance that in 50 years it will be common place for Americans of all colors and backgrounds to hold the highest position of power in our country.

I have no idea what this means for black community in America. I don't think I could have any idea. I know it is "big" and that it is "exciting", but from the response of my friends (who happen to be black) I know that these words are too small to truly communicate what they are feeling.

I have said for some time that the color of a person's skin does not matter to me so much as the character of their heart. I hope that the next four years proves that is true of me. I also hope that this might begin to mark true change in our nation. Change that leads to a time where I don't cringe just before I type the word "black friend" hoping that people won't get offended or believe me to be racist. Change that leads to a time where we are all just Americans, and everyone actually feels that way. Change that creates a focus for us all that goes beyond color and into character.

This will be an Historic Day regardless of what changes President Obama brings to our country in regards to policy, economy, and foreign/domestic relations. It will prove to be a truly historic day if in 50 years it is not remembered purely because he was the first African American to become President.