Greer McVay’s Web Log (BLOG)

Volume 1, Issue 1

January 20, 2009

January 20, 2009 is an historic day. But not necessarily for the reasons that the entire free world thinks. Sure, the United States of America just inaugurated its first Black President, and on the surface that seems to be a great and rare fete, but I find it more historic that for the first time in US history, people of African decent are able to collectively exhale and let go of (at least some of) the hurt. The history that was made today is that African Americans can finally begin the process of believing some of the rhetoric that has been spewed for generations, if not centuries.

President Barack Obama has a nice ring to it. But so would President Leroy Jackson or President Le’Quisha Tyson. I am not getting excited just yet about President Obama. Not because of anything he has or hasn’t done, but because of what I perceive others will or will not allow him to do. To begin with, Presidents only hold so much power. They are not omnipotent dictators. Or at least they weren’t before eight years ago. So Obama will be somewhat limited by the office that he holds. Beyond that, there are those political foes who will try desperately to circumvent his policy directives at every turn. That shouldn’t be perceived as a Black/White issue so much as a power/control issue.

What can be interpreted as a Black/White issue will be the constant scrutiny throughout the man’s presidential term. Not just the normal “what has he done in the first 100 days” examination, but the “See, I knew we should have elected John McCain” conversation that is sure to dog him, assuming John McCain stays alive for the duration of the next four years. [If John McCain was to expire between now and 2012 I am certain there will be outward displays of glee that we averted the Vice-President-cum-President fiasco that was inevitable, also known as Sarah Palin. But I digress…]

I have the “ineffective Barack Obama” discussion pegged because I can easily foresee the various media outlets second guessing his each and every move in an attempt to fill the multitudes of 24-hour airwaves. Talk show hosts, pundits, analysts, armchair quarterbacks and yours truly, Greer McVay, need to dissect the factions that are not necessarily divergent in our attempt to interest our audiences and incite riots. However, and more importantly, Barack Obama was handed a hot mess on a rusted platter, that no man, woman or child could easily burrow from under.

George W. Bush, past-President, is now safely on his way to Dallas, from where he and his fair bride, Laura will hopefully never dare emerge. Mrs. Bush convincingly assured the unsuspecting populace that her husband was a sweet, doting father and that he could be trusted with America’s children just as he could be trusted with his own. [Hmmm…I could go there, but that one is too easy.] Instead, I just remind the reader that President Obama inherited a record deficit, a banking industry in shambles, an auto industry on the brink of collapse, an unemployment crisis, a nation divided, a nasty reputation abroad, not to mention simultaneous wars, and general distrust of the government empowered to fix those same problems. And to underline the farce that is much of our government I’ll just throw out a few names of people we have been expected to rely upon: Rod Blagojevich, Larry Craig, Elliott Spitzer—need I go on?

So, what I have decided to do is to use my skills and talents for good: both the common and my own. In my book, Job Search in the Real World (soon to be published), I share with the reader, my views on working in America as well as techniques on how to earn a living in spite of the obstacles that “real life” presents. In the book I focus on earning a living versus getting a job because it will be increasingly important to chart your on path. As more jobs are outsourced and more companies downsize, Americans will have to rely upon their own ingenuity and oft-hidden skills to bridge their economic gap.

In my own life I have experienced too many setbacks at the hands of others and have had to train myself to believe in my own abilities. The challenge for countless others and me is to find a way to earn a living for doing work we already do. In other words, we all have a job; we just aren’t necessarily being paid to do it. This BLOG, my book, my speaking engagements, etc., are my own way of establishing revenue sources for work I already do: write and talk. I am essentially walking the talk that I believe in so wholeheartedly.

“What does this all have to do with President Barack Obama,” you ask? The answer is quite simple. For the past two years, throughout the primary and general election seasons we were promised a bill of goods and I intend to receive the goods I was promised by way of my vote. I was told and consequently believe that a climate will be created in the business world that fosters entrepreneurship and hard work. I also expect the banking system to be revamped in such a way as to facilitate my future financial plans, assuming I “do the right thing.” In a word, I expect progress in my own life and I will use this BLOG to illuminate the progress that I make.

As this is among my first posts, I do not expect my audience to be very well versed in my personal story. Suffice to say that I have had many trials and tribulations that have undermined my ability to be where I’d like to be today. That said, I have had a good ride filled with joy and laughter, but sprinkled with pain and tears, which is pretty much all anyone should expect out of life. Many of my setbacks were of my own doing. Actually, I should revise that to read: most of my setbacks were of my own doing, however, I have also done many things as I should: I have a solid (not stellar) formal education, I have traveled abroad, thus expanding my worldview, I have stayed out of trouble with the law (for the most part), and I am a good person. Readers will learn much more about who I am, how I got to be where I am and what and why I have the opinions that I do. For now just know this, I am a thinker and I am eager to share what I think on myriad subjects.

So, let’s go back to President Obama. (I just like saying and writing that.) Today marks a turning point in our nation’s history. Less because the man holding the highest office is Black and more because the man holding the highest office is a stark departure from everything we have ever known. I doubt that Obama will really turn Washington, DC, on its ear, but I think things will be shaken up enough that business as usual will look a little different by 2012. Pay-to-play politics and the old-boy network will become obsolete if there is no one to pay within the administration and if the old boys are replaced with old girls, and gays and Jews and Hispanics and handicapped and…well, you get the picture.

In an upcoming BLOG post I will explore the role of the while male in America, but for now, let’s just say that other demographic groups are having their long-delayed opportunity to be heard. It will be interesting to see what they do with the opportunity. An opportunity squandered will set “the movement” back a couple of generations, but I believe that those given this chance recognize their responsibility and will behave accordingly and deliver.

I encourage my readers to check with me regularly to find out what I am up to and what I am thinking about the news of the day. It is my intention to craft my opinions in the context of the way the various issues affect the lives of people like me: People who work hard and try hard and yes, have even made some mistakes along the way. I believe that I represent an overlooked segment of our nation: middle class, single, professionals. So much attention is given to blue collar workers (rightfully so) and to high net worth individuals (rightfully so), as the former represents the majority and the latter, employs the former. However, those in the middle who have difficulty advancing because they are not wealthy enough to buy their lifestyle and not poor enough to get assistance, seem to me to be the ones whose voices should be heard. I am now raising my voice. The policies developed should make it simpler for people to support their families and enjoy a lifestyle that they have struggled to afford.

With at least a weekly post and links to references, news features and other Blogs that I respect, these next four years are bound to be interesting. Hang in there with me and we’ll learn a lot together!

Greer