Yin to his Yang

No matter who you voted for in this historical election, it doesn't matter now. What we can now focus on is who is our new leader of the free world. We all know the role of Barack Obama is an integral one, not only because of his presidential duties, but because of what he symbolizes. But what is being left out is what role Joe Biden will play in the future. As we read with Cone, Dr. King and Malcom X symbolized a powerful yin and yang that should have helped to strike down the structures of racism. We also spoke in class about how white and black theologians had to work together, as stated by Cone. That in itself is a yin and yang. So what does Joe Biden play in all of this? Would it have been better if both the president and vice president was black? Or is it even better one is black and one is white? Will this be a powerful yin and yang that everyone is overlooking? As a New York Times article stated on August 23rd, 2008, "To go with a running mate who could reassure voters about gaps in his résumé, rather than to pick someone who could deliver a state or reinforce Mr. Obama’s message of change." For these two men with extremely different backgrounds and credentials to work together, and earn the two highest positions in the world speaks volumes in itself when it comes to racial issues.
In the transcript of Joe Biden's acceptance speech, he describes Barack Obama, "I watched how he touched people, how he inspired them, and I realized he has tapped into the oldest American belief of all: We don't have to accept a situation we cannot bear." Barack Obama didn't accept the situation he could not bear. Martin Luther King did not accept or settle. Malcolm X didn't accept it. Obama and Biden have a chance to build upon the change they have brought. We won't see what kind of president Barack Obama will be, or what kind of vice president Joe Biden will be. But this powerful yin and yang have accomplished a lot so far. Why stop there?


Sources:

1. Cone, James. 1999. Risks of Faith

2. Biden, Joseph. 27 August 2008. Transcript: Joe Biden's Acceptance Speech.

3. Nagourney, Adam and Zeleny, Jeff. 23 August 2008. The New York Times. Obama Chooses

Running Mate.