A Change Is Gonna Come...

Is it really???!!!

Well, I am finally coming off my hiatus! I have taken some time off from blogging to volunteer with Obama Dallas to ensure a victory, to celebrate my 30th birthday, to volunteer my time with some local non profits and to diligently serve my community through my service on the Park Board.

I have also taken time to do some traveling the last few months and my time away proved to provide many eye opening experiences. (I'll blog about that next week)...remind me :)

I was away from the city last week to support my college in a gridiron battle with our biggest rival, Bethune Cookman College (BCC). FAMU won the game and more importantly won the battle of the bands (Halftime show) hands down! And rightfully so, the Marching 100 (who now stand over 400 people strong) were tapped weeks ago to perform for the historical inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama.

More importantly, while I was away, the life of a wonderful woman was celebrated on the same day that I was celebrating a win for FAMU. I briefly heard the news story the week before I left of a young lady that was gunned down in her car, minutes from my home, as she drove to work early one morning. However, I did not realize that I knew this young woman until I read Mike D's blog posts today. Wyshina Harris was a sweet and caring woman that I was blessed to cross paths with through her work with an after school program and my service as the District 4 park board representative. The after school program operated out of Turner Courts in sunny South Dallas where I was afforded the opportunity to attend high school and the ladies that worked that program really made a difference in the students lives and the community around them. Wyshina invited me over to speak for career day last Spring and I will never forget her son's questions of me. She also made sure that the students properly greeted me each time that I visited. She was a class act! It pains my heart that something this tragic would take her from her family and friends and strip her from changing the futures of the many kids that she would go on to work with. God makes no mistakes and I am made all the better to have crossed paths with her! You can read about Wyshina Harris here and here. I am still a little jaded about this news, yet another senseless crime in the Grove and in this City! If you choose to donate to her memorial fund, please know that it will make a difference in the lives of others and keep your ears and eyes open..if you have any information about this crime, please report it!

Is a change coming? I certainly think so, but it starts with each of us making strides and taking steps to make changes..life altering and life sustaining changes...

As recorded by Sam Cooke in December of 1963, below is an excerpt of "A Change is Gonna Come":

Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees

Ohhhhhhhhh.....

There been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

Many believe that change has come with the election of Barack Obama as the 1st African American President of the United States of America. But I submit to you that change has come and will continue to come as we all continue to do our part to effect change around us!

President-Elect Obama said it best on the night of November 4th, 2008...
"This victory alone is not the change we seek, it is only the chance for us to make that change and that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were..it can't happen without you..without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice..so let us summon a new spirit..where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.."

I am and I will continue to do my part...

LET'S GO TO WORK!

Barack in Dallas..FINALLY!

Obama will be in Dallas Wednesday, February 20th, 2008. Hope to see you there!

Join Barack Obama for a special Stand for Change Rally in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday, February 20th.

The event will be free and open to the public.
Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama
Reunion Arena 777 Sports StreetDallas, TX
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Doors Open: 10:30 a.m.- but the event doesn't start until 12:00 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is encouraged.

For security reasons, do not bring bags. No signs or banners permitted.

Also, FYI, parking will be tight and limited and the Arena, so you may want to hit up DART! or get dropped off! :)