Submitted by Charles Cadogan

January 2, 2009, history was made in the good old “U.S.A”; an African American was sworn in as President. But even before Barack H. Obama became President, he made it clear that if he became president change was not his doing….but it would take each and every one of us in America to create the change we so badly need.

But many people are playing the colour card towards change for African Americans. Change can only come through all of us seeing each other as a person, and not a colour. Respect is first due to self, and many African Americans don’t exercise enough.

We as African Americans need to care more for self and give even more respect to our women and children. How is it possible to love your mother, but disrespect other women? This is something that has to be worked out, and fast. President Obama wants all men to be real men toward their children and women.

I do remember as a young man growing up African Americans took real pride in everything. I remember how men stayed smart from head to toe. Everything had to be just right. I always told myself that I’ll do the same….be presentable at all times. And I have lived up to it, and taught my children to do the same. I have seen many young men today walking around showing their drawers. But this was unheard of when I was growing up. I’ve seen young men looking for jobs not even properly dressed. Then quite a few of them don’t even know how to fill out a job application. This is so very sad to see them going through life this way. Not finishing school and an education, makes getting a real job very difficult. Then to make it even sadder more sad to see so many young girls from age 12 having babies that they are unable to take care of. The funny part of it they mothers or grandmothers raise the child…but before long they go out and have more babies. This is so truly sad seeing so many children being brought into this world and many of them aren’t even loved. President Obama can never change this…only we alone can make the difference that will, and can create change. We all have to be responsible for each other, stop fighting and killing without any good reason, or reasons. Learn how to resolve our differences in a civilize manner.

Know that selling dope to other people’s children isn’t a good thing to do. You are making money through other people’s miseries. You are causing children to go hungry, and some not having a roof over they heads. While many sit around and blame the so call white man, saying he’s the one to blame for bringing the drugs into the country…but we all can make the choice not to accept his offer on the drugs. You call yourself living the good life. Plenty of money, and all what money can buy from the pain and suffering of others. This way of life has to change. Let President Obama be a role model that with an education and setting high standards for yourself…nothing is really out of reach.

Stop expecting others to do for you, that you’re able to do for self; stop feeling sorry for yourself and start walking with your head held high. Show pride in who you are, and what you’re able to do. Keep working at bettering yourself. Accept responsibility for your actions for a change

President Obama is only another man that God has placed into the position that he’s in for all of us to learn from as human-beings. God does all things in his own time. And when, or if, we ever understand this…all things become better.

President Obama is a guide for all to follow in knowing that all things are truly possible. But to accomplish or to achieve we have to gain an education, and work hard at whatever we want.

We as human-beings have to come together as one “nation”, without any colours and disrespect for each others feelings. African Americans even have to do more for and towards one another. “Ask not of me, or from me, what you yourself are not doing”. The time is now to stop finger pointing, and start providing each other with the things needed to better each other.

Our new president has shown us that the saying…”Where there’s a will there is a way.” Believing in one’s self is the key. If you have no plan or purpose, then you’re going around in a circle. Make a plan, and work hard at being successful, accepting nothing less. Strive constantly at bettering yourself. Know that nothing is impossible. Even the bible states: “All things are possible if only you believe.” Start learning how to trust yourself. Know that all things under the sun have a purpose. So when you are working towards a goal, if the goal isn’t working out as you planned gain strength and wisdom to work even harder to accomplish your goal. But the good thing about it is not to be a quitter because quitters never win. Believe in your heart that you’re a winner and nothing less.

We were all given the tools by our Creator to be winners. But many times the choices we make without weighing our options, choices are what causes the problems with our success or failure.

Just praying and not even believing what we are saying is just a waste of time and energy. Pray from your heart and believe what you’re saying, because God knows what’s in our hearts and minds. “Trust you in me, and all things are possible.” Work with all your heart and soul in having faith and believe in self.

The whole world needs to make changes before we kill and destroy all of God’s creation. We as people have to learn how to respect and love God’s creation. If we learn how to do this then you’ll know that you’re loving and respecting God. How can you pray to God and ask Him for help, but ignore what we’re doing to His Creation. When we decide that we are all one and the same in the eyes of God, because He created us all from the same cloth which makes us not only equal but one and the same. Pay attention to the needs of others, show love for one another and know that this is one of the things God asked us to do.

How is it possible that when you go to court you must swear on the bible. When you’re taking a government job you are also asked to swear on the bible. But the way which we treat one another isn’t what’s in the bible that God has asked of us.

Many changes are taking place each and every day for us to pay attention to, and work towards making changes in our lives towards God’s creation.

So let us not place the total burden of change upon the shoulders of President Obama when we are the keys to total change. May our eye become open to see where we are going wrong. May our ears be open to hear the cries from the pain we bring upon one another. If we don’t pay attention to these things mentioned our lives are going to become even worse.

I do believe that God has placed President Obama in the position he’s in to guide us just as Moses was chosen to deliver the children out of Egypt by God. We need to pay attention to all the signs that God is showing us.

I was reading the March issue of the Ebony. I came across this: “President Obama should help in making it better for so called Black children and change the culture that allows teachers and other administrators to justify having low expectation for so called Black students.”

This is my feeling on this situation. This matter was to be first addressed at home. A so called Black boy or girl can also learn by example. Why if my dad is a drunk, I too should be a drunk? He’s showing me that isn’t the way to go. But so many so called children feel it’s ‘kool’ to be wrong, more than to do right. If as a so called Black you speak proper English, you’re a nerd. Many so called Black children fight real hard to fit in with all the wrong doers. We all can and must make choices. We are all responsible for our choices. How can any person, so called Black or white, is truly responsible for whatever choices they make. It’s asking too much of President Obama to make changes we should have been doing for many years.

God sent Moses to deliver the children, but also remember that children still had to be responsible for what they did. We as so called Black people have to want more than we’ve settled for after all that others before President Obama came along. So we need to more and complain less. Stop showing yourself to be small thinkers, even when can also think large. Stop going to church and reading the bible and not, I repeat, not knowing and believing what God has asked us all to do. Love one another as I love you; do unto others as you’ll have them to do unto you. I know that I am the Lord thy God who has ahs created each and every one from the same cloth. Let us for a change stop this colour madness and see God is within all of His creation. We have no idea when this world is coming to an end. At the rate we are going…it could be sooner than we think. Please, can we go to our Maker as one and the same, His children? When that day comes that most go goes to church and hear about what? God isn’t going to ask you what did you do for or about any person as a colour. The question will be what have you done for or to my children? Know that we are all God’s children.

Ask yourself these few questions: Are you willing to remain as is? Are you willing to believe in yourself much more than others? If you can answer these questions honestly and know that you are worthy of and to all things that God has created then you are making progress in knowing self.

It’s truly amazing how so called Blacks find it easy to get together and plot against one another. But yet find it so hard to come together with love, respect and true concern for one another.

For some reason, or reasons, it seems that everyone but the so called Black Americans can come together as one. We as human-beings living in a divided country will never reach where we need be.

Just thinking, hoping and wishing isn’t going to do anything for use bettering ourselves.

Why is it so hard for so called Blacks to trust one another? When are we going to stop talking and complaining about what needs to be done…and please for the love of God start doing more towards change and betterment of self. Let not what others has fought and died for go in vain. Even one bible tells us that there’s a time for or planting and a time for harvesting. Don’t only read the parts in the bible that are supposed to be helpful in giving you material things. But know it’s also about leading us towards knowing not only God but self. A man or woman isn’t worthy no more, or less, than he or she feels.

Sometimes when I am alone, I cry because I have done all that I am able to do through God’s help and guidance to help others. Many are saying we need to teach the young. But believe me, we also need to teach older folks also. Some older folks have has seem to give up. Some seem to be more interested in being a friend to their children and not truly being a parent. Some seem contented through material gain. Some pay more attention to material gain than to teaching their they children true values and self worth. Remember the so called white man did have the chance to teach our children before we did. Teaching our children to love and respect self is the first keys to self worth. Being responsible is also important. If we don’t teach our children to be responsible then being independent isn’t easy because they look to others. Looking to others and not fighting to stand on your own two feet to be a man or woman will never get you anywhere but being dependent. Doing what you have to do to make it through life…don’t mean doing illegal things to make it. No it doesn’t don’t. ever allow your pride to get in the way of common sense. Do what you want, but for the love of God, do it the right way.

Remember this and allow it to be your guide through life. God created you in His own form and likeness. This gave us all the power to be whoever we want to be during the time He allows us to be on this earth. Having the power to use the greatest gift that we’ve been given. And that is the power to think. The bible clearly states that God judges us by our thoughts. So this means that thoughts comes first to create actions; no actions comes without thoughts. Use the great power of thought that God has given you to be that person that really makes make a difference. Strive to be a leader and not a follower. And if you choose to a follower…be a follower of greatness or to greatness. Believe 110% in self and give your faith and trust to God and in God.

Stand up and stop complaining about things you are able to change. No Mo man, woman or child has control over you but God. And God wants you to have the best of everything, on and out of life. Don’t attach yourself to material things and negative people.

The sad thing is you can be 100%, but if you are around negative people…it can kill your strength level. And don’t allow anyone to tell you that you cannot be a force to be reckoned with. Never ever settle for just being ok. Strive being always the best that you’ve placed yourself into. Constantly push yourself towards greatness. All the people who have has reached the top, worked hard and believed in themselves. NOT ALL – SOME INHERITED THE TOP WITH NO EFFORT

Work at what you know you are good at, or with. Always strive reaching the top. Leave your mark on this earth in a positive way. While striving to reach the top…bring along someone with you. Remember if each of us helps at least one person in life we will be making a difference in this world. Being helpful towards others is doing what God wants us to do towards one another.

All that you’ve acquired in life isn’t worth anything unless you share with others, or at least one person. This way you’ll live on through others.

Only you alone can make all what I’ve mentioned possible. President Obama or anyone else can’t make this happen for you. The good thing about President Obama is he’s showing everyone that you can accomplish whatever you set your heart and mind to as long as you’re willing to work hard and with a good education. Now they are some good men and women who are successful with just a limited education. But they applied themselves and believed in their dreams.

So in order to reach the position you want in life takes work, faith, belief and trust in God to grant you the wisdom, understanding and determination to reach your goals.