An Open Letter to Barack Obama

An Open Letter to Barack Obama, by Alice Walker: http://www.theroot.com/id/48726

Alice Walker is another amazing writer, thinker, activist, person that I recommend. Here's a sample of her letter, if you don't immediately have time for the whole thing, linked above:

"I would further advise you not to take on other people's enemies. Most damage that others do to us is out of fear, humiliation and pain. Those feelings occur in all of us, not just in those of us who profess a certain religious or racial devotion. We must learn actually not to have enemies, but only confused adversaries who are ourselves in disguise. It is understood by all that you are commander in chief of the United States and are sworn to protect our beloved country; this we understand, completely. However, as my mother used to say, quoting a Bible with which I often fought, "hate the sin, but love the sinner." There must be no more crushing of whole communities, no more torture, no more dehumanizing as a means of ruling a people's spirit. This has already happened to people of color, poor people, women, children. We see where this leads, where it has led."


Another Alice Walker link (this one is longer), also addressing Obama during the primaries this spring: http://www.theroot.com/id/45469