June 2008

During his early childhood in Kenya, Barack Obama helped herd goats with his father who was a domestic servant to the British. After going on to graduate from Columbia University, Obama became the community organizer of a small church based group in Chicago working to improve the living conditions in poor neighborhoods. Following this term, Obama attended Harvard law school and became the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review (www.barackobama.com). Currently, after eight years in the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama is once again making history, as a Democratic candidate for the United States Presidency.

Like notable African American men before him Barack Obama has transcended barriers and demonstrated with authority what it means to not only speak of change, but to be the change. Centuries before Barack Obama’s defiant quest for Presidency, Blanche Kelso Bruce became the first African American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate, representing the state of Mississippi from March of 1875 until March of 1881.

Born as a slave on a Virginia plantation Bruce was educated by his owner’s son, attended Oberlin College and went on to fight for the rights of not only African Americans, but other minority groups such as Native Americans and Asian immigrants. Following his term as Senator Blanche Kelso Bruce was appointed registrar of the Treasury and offered a ministerial appointment in Brazil, which he declined due to the country’s present legalization of slavery (www.bioguide.congress.gov).

Similarly, Thurgood Marshall was the first African American to serve as justice of the United States Supreme Court. After successful careers as a lawyer and judge fighting for both civil and women’s rights, Marshall was appointed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson to the High Court, where he continued his fight for human rights until his retirement in June of 1991 (www.thurgoodmarshall.com).

During this historic fight for Presidency, it is important that we all remember, change often comes in packages never before seen, as it is just that –change. Change is not defined by the past, but is instead dictated by the present and the future. It is the heart of men that allows something to come from nothing. Who says experience is the great qualifier?

History has shown that great people, particularly in politics, as Blanche Kelso Bruce, Thurgood Marshall, and now Barack Obama can do great things with great confidence and great faith. Barack Obama is a definer and representative of our times, just as the great and noble men before him, and we at Chaps Expressions admire and encourage all men to stand for nothing less than the best, making lasting impressions in your homes as sons, brothers, and fathers, and among the world as conduits of change!

Happy Father’s Day