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This week, we were all witnesses of History!!!
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A Message from Our President |
WASHINGTON, DC-November 7, 2008 - Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the Fraternity of James Weldon Johnson, A. Philip Randolph and John Lewis, a 94-year old, international organization of college and professional men of predominantly African American origin founded at Howard University, rejoice with America in the historic election this week of Illinois Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United Sates of America.
"Lift ev'ry voice and sing,
'Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list'ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on 'til victory is won."
This captures the sentiment, the fervor, the jubilation, the crescendo, and sense of peace that pervades in the wake of an amazing campaign that culminated in the harmonious voice of the American people at the polls on November 4, 2008. These words of the first stanza of what became known as the Negro National Anthem was originally written by Sigma Brother James Weldon Johnson and set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson, in 1899. It was performed in celebration of the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, on February 12, 1900, by school children in Jacksonville Florida. The lyrics resound with new meaning today, as we absorb the import and potential for the will expressed at the polls by the American people.
In his first words, at his election night victory speech to the nation, President Elect Obama, succinctly captured the moment: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."
That gathering in Grant Park, over 100,000 strong, at once reflected the marches, the struggles, the hard-fought journey, but above all the collective might and will of a people who with the help of God, as the above anthem extolled, has brought us as a nation through "our weary years" and "silent tears" "this far on our way".
As the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, "the arc of history is long...but it bends toward justice;" and, through unrelenting faith, yields this day, as the nation lives out its creed, that all men are created equal, and will be judged by the content of their character and ability, with equal opportunity to achieve and represent us all.
Today, America, in its every demographic across the board, voted to elect an African American to lead the free world, and has raised higher and brighter the beacon of liberty, justice, and opportunity in this democracy. The election of Barack Obama by every demographic, young, old, white, black, female, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, with no one segment of the electorate alone accounting for his election, manifests the harmony, faith, hope, change, and future possibilities together that this historic event represents.
Let us rejoice as Americans for this day. Congratulations and God Speed to Barack Obama and our new First family.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity is an international organization dedicated to the principles of Brotherhood, Scholarship and Service, founded in 1914 at Howard University in Washington, DC, comprised of college and professional men, predominantly of African American origin, open from its inception to men of all race, religion, class and national origin. The Fraternity holds as its motto, "Culture for Service and Service for Humanity". With over 150,000 alumni and collegiate members, located in over 500 chapters throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, the organization has its international headquarters in Washington, DC. It conducts national programs in the areas of Education, Social Action and Bigger & Better Business, a youth mentorship program of Sigma Beta Clubs for young men from 8 to 18, and a Sigma Wellness program in partnership with the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes. Notable members include James Weldon Johnson, George Washington Carver, Congressman John Lewis (GA), Congressman Edolphus Towns (NY), Former Mayor Harold Washington (Chicago), and African Presidents: Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Knamdi Azikiwe (Nigeria) and William Tolbert (Liberia).
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