Claim the Dream

More thoughts on the Obama victory. Credit Keturah for these wonderful words...

I am disappointed with the limits of the English language. 24 hours after "THE" election, the language I adore so much has failed me, supplying me with precious few words to fully explain even the most basic of feelings, the most obligatory reactions I have/had to the news we all received late last night. I search for the right modifiers, the most precise metaphor to make everyone in my life understand what is swarming inside my head, but the inadequate words that make up our language get caught in my throat and refuse to come out.

I can not stop thinking about my students.

That does not surprise me because I often think about the 400 girls at The Young Women's Leadership School. I became a teacher for them; so it is little wonder that the day after Obama whipped the butt of John McCain, the same thought that took root in my head last night has remained a full day later: "Now, my girls actually have a shot."

As I have tried to explain to many people, while I am proud that a man who looks like me now runs this country, the reasons why I am pensive and quietly elated have little to do with the covert historic moment Obama's presidency brings this country. Yes, he is black. Yes, he, in a rather embarassing ass-whippping, annilihated the guy who, quite frankly, had 200 years worth of reasons to underestimate him. But, more importantly, the more significant historic moment, for me, is that at long last we have a president who, with his mere winning of the title has sent a message to my girls: MEDIOCRITY IS NO LONGER SUFFICIENT.

I do not subscribe to the Obama-as-Jesus narrative; I realize that he has inherited a country that is in shambles. He is only a man who has the misfortune of being a very good politician. He is limited. However, he understands, in the most crucial way, that for far too long this country has allowed mediocrity to become the new excellence. An Obama presidency will go far in requiring more from us than the okey-doke.

Today, I had each of my classes do a free write to this writing prompt: As a member of the Obama generation…

Here is mine:

As a Member of the Obama generation…

"This is just fine," is no longer good enough. I can no longer claim that it is impossible for me to finish my book. (Who has the time?) I can longer neglect my duty to leave this country at least once a year (who has the money?). I can no longer walk around speaking only one language yet have the audacity to claim I am an "intellectual." Such things are not acceptable when you are a member of the Obama generation.

As a member of the Obama generation…

Any wayward thoughts of making my class easier for students will be chased away before these thoughts grow into real-life actions. I will continue to work hard, which will force them to do so as well. As I strive to shed my mediocre teacher self, I will challenge them to aspire to become excellent learners. In an Obama generation, the okey-doke just ain't good enough.

I have listened to the call our president made and I must answer it. I will claim the dream my president has reminded me is yet unrealized, making good on the promise this country made such a short time ago.

I will save this country, offering it as inheritance to my 400 daughters.