The New Beginning: Mosque Message
Not that I haven't been excited and relieved about Obama's success, I just wasn't anxious or as nervous as it seems others around me have been. I was much more of a mess in February during the Primary. I kind of felt a confidence that he would win this time around. And had been feeling that way for some time. I'm not sure why, or what its founded on or in, but it just was what it was.
But today felt way more out-of-body. I'm still amazed, actually that I got to step foot into the Nation of Islam Mosque, the major re-design and re-built national headquarters on 73rd and Stony Island. 50 carat gold aligns the pillars inside the dome with royal blue and gold calligraphic egravings of Allah encircled overhead. My colleague was in town from Baltimore where i set up engagements with community groups (one including Bill Ayers) talking about the racial wealth divide, white supremacy, and on a panel about racial politics and the election, and he, not surprising, is a member of the Nation of Islam. It was a whirlwind two days but incredible and I kept thinking to myself.. wow. I'm in this moment, in this place. Which felt so much more monumental for me, than Obama's victory. Perhaps because it's real and right in front of me, i'm engaging in conversation and in relationship to mobilization and movement. I may even watch Farrakhan's speach/sermon on Sunday. It will be the first time he's expressed his perspective on Obama as president, what he's calling the "New Beginning" which was scrolling big, blue and digital on the marque out front for everyone to see.
But today felt way more out-of-body. I'm still amazed, actually that I got to step foot into the Nation of Islam Mosque, the major re-design and re-built national headquarters on 73rd and Stony Island. 50 carat gold aligns the pillars inside the dome with royal blue and gold calligraphic egravings of Allah encircled overhead. My colleague was in town from Baltimore where i set up engagements with community groups (one including Bill Ayers) talking about the racial wealth divide, white supremacy, and on a panel about racial politics and the election, and he, not surprising, is a member of the Nation of Islam. It was a whirlwind two days but incredible and I kept thinking to myself.. wow. I'm in this moment, in this place. Which felt so much more monumental for me, than Obama's victory. Perhaps because it's real and right in front of me, i'm engaging in conversation and in relationship to mobilization and movement. I may even watch Farrakhan's speach/sermon on Sunday. It will be the first time he's expressed his perspective on Obama as president, what he's calling the "New Beginning" which was scrolling big, blue and digital on the marque out front for everyone to see.