As I watch the 2008 Democratic National Convention, my heart is utterly compelled to remember those who made this moment possible and to rejoice with the elderly who thought their eyes would not behold this epic period of history.  For it is through grace and hardships that today we are able to witness a new history unfold before our eyes.  This moment is not possible without the price of blood and unspeakable pains in the lives of those who came before me.  This time that we will never forget and when, someday our children will study in the halls of education is not free.  A price was paid and we are here, on this earth today, to thank those forefathers and mothers who gave their life that we may enjoy another.  I not only thank those of yesteryear and for the elders, in the twilight years of their life, for what they have done, but I challenge all those who read these words to imagine the possibilities of love.  I challenge you to imagine who and what we could be if we allowed the powers of agape love to spread like a wildfire throughout the households and hearts of all Panolians.

The Throughout American history, particularly within this beautiful state of Mississippi, race and gender biases has interrupted our growth and development in a way that continues to plague the souls of all impacted.  The irony is in the fact that we are all impacted in ways that neither words nor speeches could ever capture.  We fail to see our innate beauty that was breathe into us all by one, true Being.  As we focus on our external differences and cultural diversities, our eyes are blind to the internal similarities of the one human race.  When I mention the internal similarities, this is not limited to the color of blood or other apparent biological sameness.  I speak to the spiritual DNA that we all possess: the power of love and its ability to conquer all.  I am reminded of the great words of a powerful preacher from Atlanta, Georgia, whose voice rang out over the nation exactly 45 years ago with a similar tone of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation:

“Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. “-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1963.

Reconciliation, as defined by Webster, is “restoration to harmony, removal of inconsistency, and reduction to congruence”. It is this spirit of reconciliation that is the ultimate challenge for us today.  In which ways can we restore harmony, remove our inconsistencies, and reach congruence?  In which ways can we challenge our biases, stereotypes, and profiling of our brothers and sisters? These questions convict the soul and challenge the heart! Yes, I understand that we have come a long way from what we used to be.  I thank God for this truth and am forever indebted for all who made this possible.  I do not take it for granted and am humbled to know that all that I am and will be is because someone sacrificed for me.  But I am also curious to the possibilities that could be with true reconciliation and growth.  This will bring a new genre of community to this county, resembling a faith grounded in spiritual, agape love.  “With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day” (MLK, 1963).

As you view our Democratic National Convention, along with the yet-to-come Republican National Convention, please celebrate this moment of history with me.  I urge you to remember from whence we’ve come, however, imagining the possibilities of where we have yet to go.  I continue to believe that Batesville, MS, is the greatest place to be in this country.  However, until we can create a community in which its talented youth can stay, build careers, and raise their own families on what I consider hallowed grounds, there is still much work ahead.  Until we can allow the fruits of the spirit to resonate within us all, there is room to grow.  And as I continue to examine myself and the values I embrace, I ask that you join me on the path of self-analysis.  For when we examine our own actions and stunted growth and find fault, our capacity to love and grow beyond measure will ultimately be tested and revealed.

Tucker is a  Licensed Certified Social Worker  and a 1997 graduate of South
Panola currently living in Boston.  He received an Associates Degree from
Meridian Community College, Bachelor of Social Work from Southeastern
Louisiana University in Hammond, and Master of Social Work from LSU.  The
majority of his time has been devoted to working with individuals formerly
incarcerated and victims of community violence.  He is the son of Robert
Tucker and Doris (Tucker) Ford, both residents of Batesville and a regular
reader of www.panolian.com.