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 Roots to Rap
Rahiel Tesfamariam
Columnist Page
Friday, November 5, 2004; Page 19
In the Name of Jesus
Millions of Americans who stood in lines for hours to cast a vote in John Kerry’s favor were not glued to televisions and radios to see and hear the close of a political race. They did not talk of the Republican gains in the House and Senate as “a loss for the Democrats”. They could care less what Ohio’s voting patterns were.
They, like me, were leaning on faith that God would not allow George W. Bush to win the election. And they, like me, mourned a deep, painful loss when Kerry’s concession was announced. But knowing and trusting that God is incapable of failing us, we must ask ourselves what happened on November 2, 2004.
When reports continued to come in that masses of new voters were being registered, we celebrated our civil rights organizations and cultural icons for galvanizing Americans that may not have otherwise been part of the political process. The whole of the nation was called to action in massive voter drives. Now, with Tuesday’s results, we see that all of us were not fighting the same fight and moving towards the same movement.
When so many of us thought democracy, global harmony, human rights, women’s rights and the future were at stake in this election, nearly 59 million Americans voted on what they perceived to be the most important issue in this election, moral issues. But whose morals were they voting for?
Bush, the champion of ‘likeability’ and combater of flip-flopping, made sure that the citizens of this country viewed him as a gungho Christian who always remained true to his core values. In a 2000 presidential debate, when asked what political philosopher or thinker does he identify with and why, Bush’s response was: “Christ, because he changed my heart.” Networks repeatedly coupled this with the story of how he gave up alcohol, got saved and never looked back. As a result of his testimony of salvation, people accepted that his conservative policies were aligned with his faith, because he did it all “in the name of Jesus”.
America tricked itself (or allowed itself to be tricked) into thinking that voting on abortion and gay rights’ policies would ensure that God would prevail in this election. But many of us now see that America uses God’s name only when it is beneficial to itself; all other times it screams out that separation of church and state must be maintained in honor of the hard work of our forefathers.
Well, let it be said for the world to hear: America doesn’t seem to know about the God that I have come to know and love. My God is a God of love and he offers a love that is patient and kind. His unconditional love for humankind does not favor one individual over another because of skin complexion. He is a God of peace. His nature is not warlike and he does not seek to punish those that do not deserve to be punished. He does not envy, does not boast and is not proud. He is a perfect God that is never rude nor self-serving. He is not easily angered and does not keep records of wrongs. I know a God that does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Only His love will always protect, trust, hope and persevere. Only He never fails. That is the God I know. What God did America vote for on November 2nd?
For Rahiel Tesfamariam send email to rahielt@washingtoninformer.com.
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