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Books by
Barack
Obama
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
/
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the
American Dream
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Toni Morrison's Endorsement Letter to
Barack Obama
Dear Senator
Obama,
This letter represents a first for me—a public
endorsement of a Presidential candidate. I feel driven
to let you know why I am writing it. One reason is it
may help gather other supporters; another is that this
is one of those singular moments that nations ignore at
their peril. I will not rehearse the multiple crises
facing us, but of one thing I am certain: this
opportunity for a national evolution (even revolution)
will not come again soon, and I am convinced you are the
person to capture it.
May I describe to you my thoughts?
I have admired Senator Clinton for years. Her knowledge
always seemed to me exhaustive; her negotiation of
politics expert. However I am more compelled by the
quality of mind (as far as I can measure it) of a
candidate. I cared little for her gender as a source of
my admiration, and the little I did care was based on
the fact that no liberal woman has ever ruled in
America.
Only conservative or "new-centrist" ones are allowed
into that realm. Nor do I care very much for your race[s].
I would not support you if that was all you had to offer
or because it might make me "proud."
In thinking carefully about the strengths of the
candidates, I stunned myself when I came to the
following conclusion: that in addition to keen
intelligence, integrity and a rare authenticity, you
exhibit something that has nothing to do with age,
experience, race or gender and something I don't see in
other candidates. That something is a creative
imagination which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom.
It is too bad if we
associate it only with gray hair and old age. Or if we
call searing vision naiveté. Or if we believe cunning is
insight. Or if we settle for finessing cures tailored
for each ravaged tree in the forest while ignoring the
poisonous landscape that feeds and surrounds it. Wisdom
is a gift; you can't train for it, inherit it, learn it
in a class, or earn it in the workplace—that access can
foster the acquisition of knowledge, but not wisdom.
When, I wondered, was the last time this country was
guided by such a leader? Someone whose moral center was
un-embargoed? Someone with courage instead of mere
ambition? Someone who truly thinks of his country's
citizens as "we," not "they"? Someone who understands
what it will take to help America realize the virtues it
fancies about itself, what it desperately needs to
become in the world?
Our future is ripe, outrageously rich in its
possibilities. Yet unleashing the glory of that future
will require a difficult labor, and some may be so
frightened of its birth they will refuse to abandon
their nostalgia for the womb.
There have been a few prescient leaders in our past, but
you are the man for this time.
Good luck to you and to us.
Toni Morrison
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posted 2 February 2008 |
