Twenty years ago in 1988, the political season was raging with excitement. There was a fiery charismatic African American man who was running for president and winning delegates in unbelievable numbers. His name was Jesse Jackson. It was to be his second time running the race to become president of these United States. At the Democratic Convention in 1988, the words and shouts were “Keep Hope Alive” and in 2008 they are “Yes We Can”.

Having been co-manager for the Jesse Jackson for President Campaign and a Jackson delegate to the Democratic National Convention, I too was excited about all that was happening, yet feeling somewhat perturbed about the events that were taking place. Rev. Jackson had shown the world he was a voice to be reckoned with because of the numbers of votes & delegates he had leading up to the convention. As I recall, many of his 1,000 plus delegates were very upset about how he was treated by the Democratic Party, the media and in general. They wanted to see him nominated to be on the Democratic ticket as vice president, and had suggested we walk out of the convention in protest if he was not chosen for the ticket, or given the respect he deserved. But that did not happen because with the support of icons such as Rosa Parks and many others, Rev. Jackson persuaded us to stay focused and to keep our eyes on the prize.

He continued to remind us that we had already won and that we would continue to win. He reminded us of our history and the legacy of our struggle. Jesse Jackson encouraged us to turn our anger into energy and to run for office, win or lose, but to stay active in politics, never surrender and to take common sense to higher ground. His attitude and gratitude were the driving force for our actions to remain in the convention and to stay with the Democratic Party. To those who paved the way so we could come to this day, I say thank you. I thank God that I am alive to celebrate this mountaintop moment!

In 1988, there were many who could not support Rev. Jackson because he was a Black man, and in 2008, there are still those who can not support Senator Obama for the same reason, even though he represents a biracial mixture of what God created, a mother from Kansas and a father from Kenya. Look how far we as a people have come! Eighty-eight years ago women won the right to vote, and Senator Clinton has shown us what is possible. Look how far we have come! Forty-five years ago Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his infamous “I Have a Dream” speech in which he stated “he had a dream that his four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character.” He went on to say “let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado, (where we now are witnessing the historical DNC). He went on to say “When we let freedom ring from every village & every hamlet, from every state & every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men, & white men, Jews, & Gentiles, Protestants & Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank god Almighty, we are free at last.” Look how far we have come! Forty years ago, in 1968, Dr. King was assassinated & now in 2008, we see hope for tomorrow in times of despair. Look how far we have come!

These dates have historical significance and represent a chronology of change in shaping the American dream of freedom and democracy. Our time has truly come, and now is the time to do the right thing and support a candidate who can work with people at home and across the world to make a difference and bring about constructive coexistence. Barack Obama is running hard to continue keeping the dream alive, calling us all together to discover a way to live together in peace and brotherly love. Barack Obama is riding the freedom train and asking us all to get on board. For those who are still skeptical, ask yourself if you are better off today than you were 8 or even 4 years ago?

As a woman of African decent, I empathize with Senator Clinton’s delegates and supporters and I say, lay down the weapons of anger, resentment, and emotional discourse. Look at party unity and look beyond political players, and look at what is at stake in our nation and the world. This is not the time to switch sides or skip out on your right to vote because of discontentment with the democratic process and things not occurring as you would have liked them to. Think about the future of your children, grandchildren, our soldiers, our elderly, and our poor. Think long and hard, pray & meditate about what’s right and just. Change you can believe in means you can trust that when Senator Obama is elected President, he will maintain high standards of excellence and integrity. He won’t be operating alone; Hillary Clinton and many of her supporters will have key roles within his Cabinet administration and among Congresssional leadership.

When you go into the booth to vote on Nov. 4, let your conscience be your guide and remember how far we have come and that there is Hope for Tomorrow! 8/25/08

Myra L. Butts, MPA, CPC - South Bend, IN
1988 Jesse Jackson Delegate, Nebraska 2nd Congressional District

Brief Biographical Sketch
Myra L. Butts holds a BA degree from Drake University, Des Moines, IA, a Masters degree in Public Administration, from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and is a Certified Preplanning Consultant, (CPC), through the National Funeral Directors Association, (NFDA). With a passion for politics, justice and equality, I became involved in the political process and subsequently the' 84' &' 88' campaigns of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson. In 1984 I was a Jackson surrogate speaker & in 1988, I was co-manager of his Nebraska 2nd Congressional District campaign and Delegate to the ‘88’ Democratic Convention in Atlanta. Since then, I started my own consulting firm (next year will be my 20th anniversary), and successfully managed the campaign of an Omaha city council candidate and served as Deputy Campaign manager for a congressional candidate during his first try, and who now serves in Congress, (Indiana 2nd Congressional District).

After returning home to my roots (South Bend, IN), to assist my parents in their senior years, I further developed my passion and gift of providing comfort to those coping with the loss of a loved one. Specializing in funeral preplanning, aftercare, estate planning networks and other public relations activities, M. L. Butts & Associates consults with families seeking advance planning services, offering individual attention to details, compassion and respect for their wishes, and confidentiality.

Myra L. Butts, MPA,CPC
(574) 233-4353
e-mail, buttsmyra@yahoo.com