In 2004, I was blessed to have had the opportunity to travel with my two best friends to Africa. We went to Accra and Elmina Ghana. We were there for the annual event of the International Black Summit and then we spent at least two weeks touring the homeland of our foremothers and forefathers. One of the most eye opening experiences we had was a tour of Cape Coast "Castle". Original built by the Dutch, Cape Coast Slave Castle taught me that the worst part of slavery was not the Middle Passage as I had previously believed. In fact, I had heard from other people who visited that Castle that they had heard voices and experienced a physical reaction to the spirits of our ancestors who remain trapped there. Let's just say, that I was not looking forward to the tour. Cape Coast Castle is now run and operated by the Smithsonian network of Museums. It is far from being a castle to those who were trapped in unspeakable conditions inside its belly. The part of the tour that I will never forget occurred when we stood at the "Door of No Return". This was said to be the door slaves past through on their way to an awaiting ship in order to be taken to the Americas, never to return to their beloved homeland. The sadness of that moment was transformed by the view from the door and the very clear fact that I was standing there. Someone had sacrificed and done unspeakable things in order to survive so I could be there in that moment. When the door was opened, it revealed the most beautiful view of the ocean, the colourful business of the fishing village, and the beautiful faces of the people. How could such a great picture hold some much pain and tragedy? The tour guide then told us the story of the return of the remains of former slaves found in New York City. Now, the outside of the door reads: "The Door of Return" in honour of those ancestors who were returned to the castle and buried with honour in its courtyard .Fast forward to a cold day in January. All of a nation's hopes and dreams are wrapped up into this one moment. A whole World's hopes and dreams actually. The man selected after the most incredible grassroots effort ever witnessed steps to a doorway into glory. When Barack Hussein Obama stepped to the doorway, I actually saw it in that moment. He was at the "Door of Return" . As we looked at him standing there, that's what we were seeing. A return to glory. A return to excellent pursuits. A return to sexy, cool, and smart. A return the path that we have strayed from as black communities. The return to an age where we can no longer sit idly by while others make decisions for "our" destiny. A return to Action! I couldn't help but to be moved. Tears ran down my face because in all of it I knew this never had anything to do with Barack Obama and every thing to do with me. I am the change I have been waiting for. I no longer have an excuse for my inaction. I no longer can wait for someone to do it for me. I must do "IT" because if I want more, I gotta do more. I WANT MORE!
"Life is just a minute only sixty seconds in it,forced upon you, can't refuse it. Didn't seek it, didn't choose it, but it's up to you to use it. You must suffer if you lose it, give an account if you abuse it. Just a tiny little minute, but all eternity is in it"
Dr Benjamin Elias Mays - former President of Morehouse College and spiritual advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
"Doing Our Spiritual Jobs Towards Our Destiny"
Sent with love from a Crackberry Device
