About that community organizer remark, Mrs. Palin

It has been a while (a very long while) since I posted anything. I've been busy. Several weeks ago, I was watching a TIVOed playback of the RNC convention, and something caught my attention in Sarah Palin and Giuliani's speech: their comments about the term "community organizer".

Funny thing about history.

More than four decades ago, a black man that had never set foot in the halls of Washington (at least as a politician), decided that there was a need for change. He organized many marches, with members of the black community, that protested the conditions that many blacks were living under in the United States during the 50s and 60s. He was arrested, assaulted, and eventually, murdered. Over the decades, his vainless sacrifice opened many doors for empowerment for blacks and other minorities. This man was no politician. He had very little in terms of foreign affairs, though his struggles was heard all over the world. He was a mere pastor that eventually became an activist. And some levels, some could say ... a community organizer. His name was Martin Luther King Jr.

A bit of a detour. I'm not in the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan nor would I attempt to dilute the honor of the men and women serving there. But I do carry a gun, a badge, and firm oath to all citizens (BOTH DEMOCRATS and REPUBLICANS) to aid in the protection of this great nation from enemies foreign and domestic. Yes, those who've read my blog could easily assume that work in some sort of cyber task force, but there are times when I have to go into the field and that is never a cakewalk. There was a time when serving in a government agency especially one that deals with national security was a pipe dream for minorities. Today I work alongside Asians, Hispanics and Whites ... all working towards a common goal. These possibilities were made possible with the sacrifices of many community organizers such King, Evers, and Parks. Sorry, Sharpton and Jackson, but you're excluded from this bunch. Racial profiteering under the guise community affairs is just plain old exploitation. Today because of those that wanted better for their communities, many blacks and other minorities are given access to resources to achieve great heights. Yes, for most, sacrifice and delayed gratification comes with the territory, but nothing great or worthwhile comes easy and on a silver platter.

Yet ... there was a bit of sad irony in watching the handful of black men and women cheer (with gust and glee) as a VP candidate dared to talk down the power of those that dare (and I'm sure Obama is not the only one)to continue in the same vein of Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. As they stood with glowing faces, they somehow seemed to forget the sacrifice of one such "community organizer" that made it possible for them to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow white Republicans and have a good "laugh". Sad.

Now before some of you reading this, start to scream about Republicans being evil and racist. I must implore you to stop. The letter R doesn't imply evil nor racist belief. It is merely a Party affiliation. Stop with the illogical and immature hatred. I'm married to a Republican, so there ... the cat's out the bag that I'm (a)married and (b)to a wonderful woman that is Republican. The truth is what happened on that RNC stage has little or nothing to do with race (gasp!!!). Yes, I said it. It is about Arrogance. And forgetfulness. And for those cheering few, all that could've been directed towards them was nothing more than ... pity. I'm sure many would say that they don't need, and of course therein lies the tragedy.

Some could easily say that it is ... ap-palin.

(P.S. I know it is spelt a p p a l l i n g )

Tags: Sarah Palin, community organizer, politics, racism, Barack Obama