Obama in the house!

I have many black friends who are expressing an awareness of the accomplishment that has taken place with the inauguration of Barack Obama. On facebook many are thanking their ancestors and “high-fiving” their contemporaries. I'm truly happy for my friends and I have a sense of pride for the United States for the obvious reason of the unity within diversity we are experiencing.

However, truth be known, to some degree I feel as though I'm a friend of a friend that has been invited to a party. That is to say I think it is impossible for me to understand or relate to the fullness of this culmination because I lack the shared experiences that my african-american friends have. And that is O.K. because I should not have to feel comfortable all the time.

As a white man I have not experienced the back of the bus, nor has any of my ancestors. I don't know what it means to be ignored because of my race, and because of that I don't always recognize the privileges I experience. Being married to a black woman I've been given a glimpse of a prejudice world. However, my wife is from the Caribbean, she is not african-american and does not have the same historical formation. With regard to race issues we've experienced more than some, but do not claim to understand the fullness of pain that has been experienced by the african-american.

Scripture tells us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn" Romans 12:15. I am glad today is a day of rejoicing rather than mourning. I celebrate with my brothers in the present, I mourn the past and I am grateful for the progress that our nation has made and will continue to make. The future is full of hope and I look prayerfully forward to what will be accomplished.

Thank you for your support. We are TEAM!