Running on the theme of hope not bitterness, change not more of the same, Barack Obama promised to breathe new life in a failed system of Government and rise above the partisan divide. He told the American People that he understood their frustration with the division and acrimony of Washington. He promised to bring people together and unite the country if elected President. During his recent inauguration, something went wrong.   

On January 20th, Barack H. Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. As the first black U.S. President, one thing is clear, America has moved forward on race. His very election validated the greatness of our founding fathers when they drafted our constitution. While the words, "all men are created equal" rang hollow for many Americans in our early history, the cornerstone of our liberty is derived from our Creator upon whom our constitution was based. Thus by this standard, the wall of separation and unequal treatment could not stand. Our constitution was ultimately amended to ensure the promise of equality so noted in our founding. America while not perfect is the greatest country on earth. There are some, however who are trapped in the past.

During the campaign, Barack Obama was dogged by questions surrounding his association with radical and controversial figures.  With his participation in the racist Nation of Islam Million Man March to his twenty year attendance at Jeremiah Wright's Trinity United Church, the pressure to distance himself from his past began to mount. He finally denounced the words of his former pastor during a speech on race. Even so, more alarm bells began to go off; his friendship with domestic terrorist William Ayers and his association with Rashid Khalidi, the former spokesperson for Palestinian Liberation organization (PLO). A simple truth usually applies, "what is in a man's heart is reflected by the friends he keeps". Yet he was able to diffuse the latter by downplaying the level of his association and more importantly, the American People were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

For his inauguration, Barack Obama asked pastor Joseph Lowery to deliver the benediction. The 87 year old Lowery worked with Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement and together founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference which he led from 1977 to 1997. Joseph Lowery has not been without controversy. He implied that Americans in Iraq are terrorists, "The Mothers in Iraq Call Us the Terrorists”. He twice supported the Million Man March and found no problem with Jeremiah Wright; "What's wrong with Jeremiah Wright's preaching?" He continued, "Prophetic preaching has been around in the black church for years. That's all I do. The only reason why no one says anything about me is because I don't have a member who is a presidential candidate." Was it reasonable to believe that Barack Obama was surprised at his racially tinged benediction quote, "Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. Let all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen! Say Amen! And Amen!" While many in the mainstream media claim it was a light hearted attempt to address race, it's important to take into consideration his track record. 

While this may seem to be an isolated incident, another advisor to President Obama felt no compunction to hide his view on race. Former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich testified earlier this month at the Economic Recovery Plan meeting Chaired by New York Congressman Charles Rangel. His comments were shocking, "I am concerned as I'm sure many of you are, that these jobs simply go to high skilled people who are already professionals or to white male construction workers". He further went on to say, "criteria can be set, so that the money does go to others, the long term unemployed minorities and women...." Congressman Rangel did not object to his comments and actually made a reference to formulas. Rangel went on to say that Congress needs to ensure that the money goes to certain communities and that Congress can "mandate the criteria and formulas".  President Obama has nether repudiated nor distanced himself from the comments of his advisor or Congressman Rangel.

The bitterness of those caught up in the past have led to confusion. The words, "all men are created equal" apply to every American regardless of color. They know better. In this new era of hope and change, it's apparent that neither is likely. It's more of the same.