Five generations ago my great-great grandfather rode with the 18th Louisiana Calvary Company B in the cause of the Confederacy, fighting in a war some of the oldest surviving members of my family still call the “War of Northern Aggression.”

Three generations ago my grandfather was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and that didn’t make him an extremist among his peers; at that time and place it was in fact expected of a man of his station.

A few days ago, I voted for an African-American for President of the United States. More accurately, I voted for an American of mixed race for President. The heart-warming photos of our president-elect with his white grandmother would have inspired nothing but revulsion and fear in my forebears, and indeed even today in some of my relations.

My thoughts today turn to bigoted members of the Williams clan- past and present- and also to people who share my name, whom I have never met. At the conclusion of the Civil War my great-great grandfather’s only slave elected to remain on the William’s farm and took the William’s name passing it on to his descendants. Relations in name if not in blood I wonder where they are, how they’ve made out, and I worry.

It’s tempting for whites to think that with a black man in the White House we have at long last reached racial equality in America. This is not the case.

13% of otherwise eligible black American men were unable to vote in this election because they are now or were once in prison. I remember my misspent youth, which I had the good fortune to spend in the company of black friends as well as white. We were not “good boys.” But where I avoided incarceration, my black friends did not.

Why?

I was lucky, sure, but more importantly, the deep south deputies that never gave me a second look came down on them like cartoon pianos hitting the sidewalk.

I remember the high school I attended which was 90% white and how when the school across town, that was 90% black was winning a ball game the chant from the stands was, “That’s all right, that’s okay, you’re all gonna work for us some day.”

I remember my grandmother locking the car doors when a black man crossed the street in front of us.

I remember my cousin who as a young man would prowl the streets of town on a Friday night and if a black man dared cross the street in front of him he’d bump him with his car then get out and beat him…

Then I think about how that cousin joined the fire department.

When the first black joined the department, he grumbled.

When another joined he grumbled a little less.

And when after a few years he had learned to depend upon those men for his safety as they depended upon him for theirs, he admitted they were good firefighters.

A few years later, when his young son learned a new word, and tried it out, my cousin made it clear to him that he didn’t want to hear the “n word” out of him again.

And my thoughts go back to the Williams family I’ve never met. I hope they have shared in the opportunities afforded the William’s family of my blood, but realistically I know that their paths have almost certainly been harder.

We have come a long way, but whites need to remember, as blacks need no reminder, that we still have a long way to go.

If the tragedy of our history is found in the gulf that separates our American ideals from our actions as Americans, our promise lies in the hope that we may yet bridge that gap and create a nation where our ideals and actions are united.

When I think of my cousin and the progress he has made, when I see pictures of his son on a baseball diamond with the black players he calls his friends — I am hopeful.

When I saw the camera pan across the crowds of celebrants cheering for Obama — white, brown and black faces cheering as one — I cheered along.

I hope that one day I will meet one of the black relatives that share my name, and sharing one nation, one hope and one future, embrace him.

Change is in the air.

Hope is alive and well.

Racism has taken a back seat.

The future is bright and new.

I have a new appreciation for America and look to the future with great anticipation.

I know the world gave a sigh of relief due to the new president elect. Now we can turn the war machine off and pay attention to our infrastructure in America.

We live in the greatest country in the world and now we can prove it once again.

It is a beautiful day for minorities in America. The people have spoken and our choice is aimed at human values and no longer monomaniacal monetary tunnel vision.

I must say I find it funny that so many non-democrats are walking the fence and saying they appreciate our new choice, but earlier they were focused on maintaining their maniacle grasp on the future of America.

The rich now must pay their part and the poor now must take the opportunities opened by this new change in office agenda.

Regardless of class, religion, race, and ideologies, we are one. We all swim together or we sink together, but we do either together.

As humans we are no better than another and it is time we understood the real differences are in our minds.

I love this country and will promote the positive contributions by the people for the people.

God Bless Each and Everyone of Us Forever!!!!

History is upon us right this very second in time.

I had the pleasure of talking to various people at the polling place at Chaparral Elementary school on the Albuquerque’s west side. I spent almost three hours observing and analyzing the reactions of voters and workers. From what I noticed and over heard was how smoothly everything was going.

There was a minor line forming early this morning [7:30 am] and a minor ballot jam. All those were naturally taken care of within a reasonable amount of time and were presided by the judge. Otherwise, my time spent at Chaparral was pleasant.

I’m very glad to report how there was such a variety of people.

What I mean by that is the support of all ages, ethnic groups, genders, etc. Everyone is very much involved in this current election and its very pleasing to see such support for both presidential candidates.

As I sit here in my political science class, all I can think about are tonight’s results.

While granted I should be paying attention, it’s hard to ignore the reality that we as a society are on the eve of one of the most historic days in modern American history. Both the Democrats and Republicans could make history with either the first minority president [Barack Obama] or first women vice president [Sarah Palin]. This will be in history books later on and I, among 300 million other Americans can say, “I was there.”

While my days of covering this historic election are on the verge of ending, I just want to emphasize the pleasure of spending endless nights pondering various topics to cover, pots of coffee brewed and the time and effort to create the videos to obtain social awareness. My endless thanks and gratitude goes to KNME and those who participated in this process. 6 weeks later, I think I’ve obtained my goal of bringing awareness, as well as providing a glance into the life of modern college students. The concerns of what this new generation has, in regards to social issues and the layout for the future. I wanted to avoid the role of being the spokesperson for neither the “new generation” nor the leader for “civil rights.” Those issues, I feel, should be a collective group effort.

So all I can really say is GO VOTE. Let your voices be heard. While I wish both candidates and their campaigns the best of luck, I do hope that mine comes out ahead tonight for the betterment of the American people.

Well it seems we are in the bottom of the Ninth. The Home stretch.

I guess the image I feel that suits the situation best, would be a showdown. High Noon.

I grew up watching lots of Westerns. So as Election Day approaches, I imagine the final gunfight from The Good the Bad and the Ugly. Cause it definitely got ugly.

You can hear the gentle strumming of a Latin guitar that slowly builds, two men stand motionless in the sand as they face off. Perspiration glistening in the sun. Teeth clenched.

I never really thought about it too much back then. There were never black men in those films. And the Indians seemed to be wearing lots of make-up. But as I grew older I began to understand why.

This nations dark legacy has tainted my life for many years. I have always struggled to rise above it.

With all the issues our nation is dealing with, I have to admit, the symbolic nature of electing a black President is inescapable.

A powerful message of hope and healing.

For once the nations hero looks like me. And I believe he can deliver the change he speaks of.

But what is also inescapable is the immense odds our hero will have to overcome.

I equate the situation to us all being in a burning bus careening out of control about to plunge off a cliff, and from the back of the bus comes a tall, dark and handsome man…while we all scream, he is cool and concise.

The crotchety old driver asks him, what the hell he’s doing up front…I thought I told you to stay in the back!

Our hero turns to the horrified passengers and says, “Stay calm everybody, I can handle this.”

Right as the bus begins to sail over the edge, the driver tears the steering wheel from the dashboard and hands it to our hero and says “go ahead then, drive!”

I can’t begin to describe what I feel might happen next.

This has been many years in the making and I’m not sure now is the best time for this to happen.

I never thought it would be something I would experience in my lifetime. Maybe, I should thank Tiger Woods or Oprah for advancing the cause of equality several generations at once.

Hollywood doesn’t make Westerns like those anymore and when they do they still don’t have too many black faces. (justified by the effort to be historically accurate)

But I have one more image to leave you with…

It’s fourth down, long yardage.

The last seconds tick away in the championship game.

The home team is down one touchdown.

As they break the huddle the crowd roars!

The Blue team’s young black quarterback (with a funny name) is going for it!

Will it be the Hail Mary, flea flicker, sneak?

I can’t take my eyes off the screen.

The election has come, excitement and dread fills the air.

While at the polls I could hear conversations of fears and hopes for the future of America. There seems to be a genuine concern about the issues facing America.

As much as I would like to think we are so past the hatred of racial bias, I believe we are slapped in the face to deal with our misunderstandings. We fear each other and our cultural conditionings. This fear keeps us complacent in our own little cubby hole in the world.

Knowledge of each other’s perspectives and communication is education that should be promoted in America.

When I think of the war in the middle east, I think of how that would be like Missouri being at war with Arkansas. War accomplishes many deaths and not much more.

We are truly blessed to have each other and be able to count on each other in times of need. America is blessed, and regardless who wins the election, I hope we as a nation can direct our candidates with a public voice promoting a stronger America, within first and outside second.

If ever I run for President I hope You vote for me, my campaign would be “Relax America, were united!”

Anybody not feeling the spirit of unity can leave the country.

We got a lot of work ahead, thank you…God Bless Us All!

The most exciting part of this election is the fact that it seems that everyone is getting involved.

I have never seen so much excitement generated by a campaign. It has been exciting to be amongst it all, as people begin to make their big decision and VOTE!

Last week’s Barack Obama rally brought quite a crowd and a passion for change in the future. I wanted to have those voices heard and exemplify why this election is making history on many levels!

What Democracy Looks Like

With this video I really wanted Native voices to be heard, especially the youth because they are the next generation of leaders that will determine the course of action for their tribes and its’ people.

I also think that it is crucial to understand and acknowledge their perspectives so that all proactive and conscious change may be accomplished.

Native Youth Speak Out

Change.

Its something that both sides of the political spectrum have seized upon.

However, its definition is rather infinite [very broad].

The goal of this project was to ask the normal person the simple question: “what is change to you?”

Change

This is my favorite part of the election, the part of it when the gloves come off.

Hard blows are being exchanged. I mean, when did a campaign become ultimate fighting?

The candidates keep getting up round after round; change vs. experience, fresh vs. tested, green vs. gray. McCain won the first round when he started questioning Obama’s experience and planting the seed of doubt regarding his patriotism. Obama came back in round two with a hard jab when he caught McCain admitting he didn’t know much about the economy.

We have all been watching them go back and fourth, it seems to me that now they are getting tired.

Calling a man a Muslim, as if it is a bad thing, is a weak hit coming from a man against the ropes. Proclaiming to denounce mean spirited politics, only to slip in low blows to hear the crowd cheer, shows the end is near. The gloves are definitely off not only in the media but amongst everyone we encounter on a day to day basis.

I have enjoyed the passionate debates in the office, in line at the grocery, on the way to class.

I find it exhilarating to find so many people participating and excited. I am happy to see others around me interested in something that matters and that will contribute to our future. Hell, I am just happy to see someone my age pick up a news paper, or to find quality articles in a college papers that are stimulating thought and discussion.

This is what the media is for.

Participating in discussions in the community is a great way to exchange information, on many of these issues. Often I am too certain about where I stand on the issues. Sometimes, I need an alternative perspective to build a better rounded understanding of what is going on in the world around me.

Many people I know have already voted, I like to discuss how they voted and why.

Often I do not agree and I will start to batter them with jabs of my ideals. It is these types of debates that are giving me hope that American citizens will continue to care after Election Day.

For the first time, I see people with the expectation of results. If we are willing to step into the ring, we want a KO.