No. 29 - And the line keeps getting longer

A friend of mine works for the county social services department and knew of my writing. She asked me if I would write something about the happenings at their office when I have time. I had time today. Before I could write about the facility I had to visit the facility. It seems that every time I go upon one of these social journeys I am re-awakened to the harsh realities of the society we live in. As ever, I must share my perspective in the hopes of shedding light on the realities of the day, and finding hope in what others might consider stagnation or ruin.

Once again I have to give President bush recognition for something he (and many other Republicans) have said. The economy is indeed strong. People do have the means to live their lives to the fullest. Americans can come and go as they please because the economic infrastructure supports them. THAT IS those Americans who are on the top 5 percent… I would even venture to say it is true for those who are also part of the quickly shrinking middle class. They represent a growing minority. It is that group who lives in luxury and without any real connection to the community at large that is benefiting from the economic gains of this society.

The other ninety percent are struggling.

I sat there and watched as the line of people waiting for assistance grew to fill the entire lobby. I saw the many ethnicities that are struggling to simply eat, or pay rent this month. I watched as young mothers and old grandfathers alike sat humbly in their seats, waiting for their number to be called. Over on the one side there was the person who, in his despair, had lost some measure of sanity as he moved his body to the rhythms of some unheard song. And on the other side rested an elderly gentleman who slumped in his sleep, snoring, as he now had some time to rest his weary bones.

The guards roamed the place in an effort to maintain calm amidst the waiting chaos, ready to silence anyone who got “out of place”. The counters between the workers and the needy citizens remained a steadfast barrier that only the patient could engage, and only when their number was called.

With each passing moment numbers and names were called to the relief of some waiting soul who had to have his/her case heard. With each passing moment yet another person would walk through the glass paned doors. Pride, fear, a humbled demeanor, a sense of urgency – all these were clearly displayed in the eyes of those who chanced looking up.

… and the line keeps getting longer…

I asked my colleague what has she noticed about the system of provided services to our masses? (After all, she’s worked there for over thirty-five years). Were there any tangible changes?

“Yes”, she said… “every month the numbers go up. More and more people are coming to us for help. And it is becoming harder to provide that help”.

What are we missing here? Certainly, that’s not the reality those in “power” want us to hear. Certainly Mr. bush mis-spoke when he said all those great things about our growing America…

But in looking at the host of people gathered in the place we can no longer doubt the truth or buy in to the reality they have attempted to propagate into our mindsets.

The fact is if we have more of what we’ve had for the last seven years the community as we know it is doomed. The numbers cannot be disputed and the palpable needs of the community should not be ignored. We are facing the result of so many different attacks to the community there is no wonder such anxiety and ill ease pervades our minds.

In considering this issue I have to think forward… I have to think of better days and better opportunities for us to live a better life. I have to believe the answer rests in the decision we must make regarding our National leadership and I hope we can come together and see the obvious solution.

This country cannot afford another Republican as the head of its highest office. It simply cannot. It also cannot afford a career politician who has little or no real connection to the lives and challenges of common folk – us minorities. The Black community throughout the Nation (Blacks were the main groups seen in the facility I visited today) needs a leader who has the daring and audacity to see our reality as it truly is. This leader has to understand the unbalance and dysfunction the system, as we know it today, is so intimately connected to the plight and struggles of those who wish to live a better life. This leader has to be able to be held accountable to something much bigger than the corporate engine or the political establishment, but to the integrity and nobility of truth as it stands.

There is no denying the realities that our community continues to suffer. There is not denying the fact that jobs opportunities continue to evaporate, and that educational opportunities continue to escape our grasp. And there is no denying the influence we, as Black Americans who vote, will have in the naming of Barack Obama as our next Presidential candidate.

We have to understand one other truth… the signs are all around us, we simply have to open our eyes to see them…

The line is getting longer, and the line keeps getting longer … for those who simply cannot wait to vote for Barack Obama.