Lay Organization
Raymond R. Davis Scholarship 2009
Winning Essay, Andrea R. Gentry
"How will the historic election of 2008 of
President Elect Barack Obama impact your life as a Christian;
as an African American; and as a young adult?"
Past the plantations, past the lynching's,
Past the fire hoses, past the prejudice,
Generation after generation we have become stronger,
No one could break us.
We are a people of Faith, Strength, Power, and Change.
We have proven everyone wrong,
We have exceeded all expectations,
We have seen a day where we stand up and speak out against what's not right.
Look how far we have come.
Stop, think, and listen.
If you listen hard enough you can hear the joyous shouts of Americans,
The cries of our elders, knowing that everything they have fought for,
Has not gone in vain.
Who would have dreamed?
Who would have imagined?
Who would have even thought of the day where we all can say,
MY PRESIDENT IS BLACK!
This original poem encompasses my first thoughts, emotion, vigor, celebration, and pride as a Christian, an African American, and as a young adult with the historic election of President Elect Barack Obama. I usually have problems getting my true and exact feelings down on a sheet of paper, but this poem ran from my brain, to my fingers, onto my computer screen perfectly.
Faith stands at the forefront of my life and nothing can alter or change that. During this historic election President Elect Obama became a spiritual role model to many. He never rejected his past and always accepted his future. He remains true to himself and treats everyone with the same respect. Now let me make clear that President Elect Obama has not altered my faith in anyway. Many Americans have said that this historic election has given them a new outlook on life, but my God has shown me things in His own time and in His own way. Hebrews 13:5 says, "If there is something you desire in life, look to Jesus to help you bring it to pass. And while He is working on it, remember to find pleasure in what He has already given you! Be content with such things as ye have." This scripture sums up what I try to do every day and what I believe President Elect Obama exemplifies.
While attending a historically black institution, African American heritage is deeply rooted in my everyday life. Whether it is walking past the Greensboro Four Statue, or admiring the four walls that were shot at during a riot here on campus, I am aware of my rich heritage. With the election of Barack Obama my heritage lives on in the best way possible. Black men have been stereotyped for being no good, slackers, and the root of the problem. A man like President-Elect Barack Obama gives being a black man a whole new meaning. The world has no choice but to see black men for who they actually are, strong, capable, willing, and God fearing. President-Elect Barack Obama has put hope and faith back into the African American race and bound us closer so that we may make better changes.
As a young adult I am overwhelmed with what my generation has accomplished. I wish I could have recorded the thousands of rejoicing students on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. As soon as the announcement was made, students ran out in the cold rain to hug fellow Aggies, shout, praise God, and cry. The election of Barack Obama to the highest office in the world has proven that when we come together anything is possible. This quote by the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. completely summarizes the fall and rise of my generation, "Only God is able. It is faith in Him that we must rediscover. With this faith we can transform bleak and desolate valleys into sunlit paths of joy and bring new light into the dark caverns of pessimism."
I am encouraged as a Christian, an African American, and as a young adult. President Elect Obama dreamed of one day being president. He did not just dwell on his dream, but he continued to do great works for the state of Illinois. I am amazed how God works, especially. when we continue to do His works while waiting for our long awaited blessings.