Urban Thought Collective

“With this faith we will be able to hue out of the mountain of despair a Stone of Hope.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, August 28, 1963

In his great “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. Martin Luther King said the above words, that on today have major significance to me, as I like billions of people worldwide wait to hear the acceptance speech of Senator Barack Obama as the first African American to be the party Presidential Nominee, in the history of America.

I know the Republican Party would like to diminish the significance of today, but this moment is the 21st Century Stone of Hope. And it’s just the beginning!

Today, hope is being chiseled out of the many mountains of despair that this country has been guilty of erecting, like the despair of racism, poverty, sexism, un-equal justice, prevailing violence, corrupt politics and so much more.

Today, hope is being chiseled out of the mountain of despair that has resulted in the disenfranchisement of innocent minorities, overwhelming suffering in our urban communities, and the out-right neglect for the health and welfare of our middle-class and low-income families.

And I believe today, a stone of hope is being chiseled out of the mountain of despair that has blocked the minds of people that may have given up on the Dream for themselves and their children. People who never thought they’d see this day come to pass; but now see through a different lens of hope for the future.

For America to rise to the occasion of nominating this African-American brotha as President of the USA, is proof that Dr. King was not only a great speaker but he was a prophet, and that his faith, Barack’s faith and our faith is more then just mere words but power enough to make the Dream a reality.

I believe that in due time, with this faith (regardless of religion) we will do more than just hue out a stone of hope from the mountain of despair, but actually remove some mountains all together.

Tonight, I’ll be clued to the news and probably in tears with my thoughts reflecting on Emmett Till, the 16th Street Baptist church bombing, the Freedom Riders and my Grandfather (still living in Mississippi) who fought in WWII for a country that he didn’t even have the right to vote in, and remembers sermons where the preacher said “America will never elect a black man president.” Now he will witness a black man accept the party nomination for President for that same America.

UTC readers, continue to believe and chisel away at your personal mountains, stones of hope to achieve your dreams, goals and/or assignment. With your faith, anything is possible!

Najuma Smith is a preacher, world traveler, writer, and proud parent. She currently serves as the full-time Sr. Pastor of St. James AME Church in Los Angeles. Unapologetically saved and full of purpose, she enjoys sharing words of encouragement with anyone who will listen, bringing a fresh look at life in light of the Word of God. Her collection of motivations and observations are exclusive to Urban Thought Collective. Visit her at www.myspace.com/revjuju.