On November 4, 2008, we were a proud a hopeful people. For many that was the first time their constitutional right was exercised. The power of voting was realized and vindicated in our community. “Yes, we can!” actually meant something to us. After all of our tribulations and struggle, from being considered less than human, sold like cattle, violated, beaten, and sometimes killed we never believed we would witness the day a Black man would become the leader of the free world; President of the United States. Many of us shed tears of joy and pride. Our elders shed the same tears because they were witnesses to the struggle. They understood with unique clarity what this moment meant to them, to us, and to this country. We all heeded the clarion call to change our country, our situation, and our lives. For too long we had been marginalized and excluded from the family of America. This was our opportunity to wield the power guaranteed to us and impose change to the status quo of the previous eight years.

In roughly 55 days, we are again called to yield our power. Just because we elected Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States does not mean our job is done. We are called to duty every election to voice our opinion, to yield our power, to fix what is broken, to change what is needed to change for the betterment of this country and ourselves.

Over the past 24 months we have been deluged with false and sensationalist stories about the President. The President has been attacked politically and personally on a scale of villainy we have not seen before. Prejudice, discrimination, and racism have risen to rear its ugly head to a height we have not seen in many, many years on a national level. Was this country really ready for an African-American President? Were we? Voting is our opportunity to support this President.

Over the next 55 days we must tune out all the interference from all the various factions and persons that is spreading inaccurate information. I challenge everyone to research and read independently, not just watch CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, or FOX on television to decide what they ethically and personally feel is the right choice to make in the upcoming elections. This decision should not be based on red or blue, democrat or republican, white or black, ethos and ideology but based on your own diverse personal research; your own personal beliefs.  The option to not to vote is not an option at all. An informed and educated voter is just as important as an informed and educated consumer, student, parent, worker, and employer it is valuable to your community, city, state, and ultimately to this nation.

The economic conundrum we are in the midst of was not created overnight or in a year or even in two years. It is the result of many factors conspiring and coming together. The greed and apathy of some led to an economic collapse of all not just in America but on a global scale. Americans tend to suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder and forget that for every boom there is a bust. We rode and ate the fat of the flesh and now we are paying the price of the admission.

President Obama inspired hope in all of us that change will come to this nation. I still believe in that. I still believe in him and his Presidency.  There are forces in this nation that abhors change and they have platforms to convey that message. They want to keep the past alive, they will say “NO!” just because we say “YES!” They want the poor poorer, the sick sicker, and people who are disenfranchised, marginalized, and deprived of civil and equal rights in the same status tomorrow as they are in today.

I challenge everyone to tune out the divisiveness, partisanship, and plain ol noise of inaccuracy. Seek your own answers, do your own research. The Mission Is Not Accomplished! The Mission Has Only Begun! On November 4, 2010 do not let this nation take 4 steps backwards but allow this nation to take 2 steps forward. Let all of us continue the mission we all started in 2008. Our turnout as African-Americans is crucial, this has not been an easy road and it has not gotten easier in the 147 years since the Emancipation Proclamation. We are engaged in then as we are now in a fight to ensure our voice is heard, our causes championed, and our security, growth and vitality insured. Go out and yield your power and vote!!!