To Fear or Not to Fear

I am so excited about the Obama win in Iowa on January 3, 2008. Not just because I am a supporter but because of the historical factor...A Black person running for president is finally being seen as a possibility and his bid is not about race.

While I am happy for the brother, I am afraid for him all the more. History has taught us that people who are about change, doing something different, not all about the status quo, are marked people. And if you're about all of that and you are Black, you've got a bulls-eye on your back. In my lifetime, people like Malcolm X and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were taken out because they were about change. As much as I'd like to think (and believe) that things are different in the new millenium, I have my doubts. There are a number of nutjobs out there...people who don't want things to change...or they do want things to change - right back to the way they were: Jim Crow, disenfranchisement of women, etc. You know, when people had "their place" in society and that was just fine.

History has also taught us that people don't want to be "placed", they want to grow, to evolve, to dream, to live life to the fullest, to accomplish goals, to uplift themselves and others. Who really wants to hear that they should not or cannot achieve something? Sure, some people believe what others tell them and bow down, while others believe in their abilities and their goals and go forward. Consider that those who were instrumental in the development of personal computers, software and Internet capabilities made it possible for me to write in a blog and you to read mine and others.

I don't want to live in fear...fear for people like the Obamas and the Bhuttos of the world. People like them were constantly told "you can't" or "you shouldn't". Yet they did. Unfortunately, Sister Bhutto's life was ended by those who didn't want her to do or to be. But her legacy, her words, her drive still lives on in those who believe and lights a torch in others.

While a number of Black folks are collectively holding their breaths, hoping and praying that no one hurts Obama, there are non-Blacks who share the same fear.

I'm glad that there are people who don't let fear hold them back from pursuing goals. That's one of the lessons I'm learning from Obama and Bhutto. I no longer want to live in fear because it shows lack of faith in myself, in my abilities to achieve the goals I've set. To be afraid for Obama's safety gives power to his haters. I believe it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said something about the willingness to die for something in which you believe. That's truly living passionately in my book! And that's what people who do not let fear enter into their mindset or allow the word "cannot" in their vocabulary do - live life passionately.

As I go through life, I will no longer hold my breath everytime Obama is in a crowd or let fear enter into my mindset as I set goals and work towards achieving them. Obstacles and challenges always present themselves...that which doesn't kill, makes one stronger!

How do you go about living a fearless life?