Harambee!

I got to see part of Barak Obama's speech and all of Hillary Clinton's at Selma yesterday. Both dealt with substantive issues and both sought to establish identity with their audiences. The major difference I observed was that Clinton gave a good rousing political speech while Obama preached a powerful sermon.

If Obama's imagery of the "Joshua generation" catches on, and truly grips the imagination and will of the American youth of today, we could begin dreaming a new dream in this nation and potentially renew the struggle for justice for all. To be effective, this vision must transcend ethnic and cultural boundaries embracing the diversity of American society.

There is a word from the land of Obama's father that could be a great rallying cry. "Harambee!" That is a Swalihi expression first used on the docks as a chant to encourage workers to pull in unison when loading and unloading ships. The second syllable is drawn out and everyone pulls on the explosive accent of the last syllable. It has come to be an expression encouraging people to work together.

Harambee! Let's pull together!