July Founder's Corner Blog

Does Hope Still Exist?

From the time that I was six years old, I knew that my path lay in law, particularly that of Civil

Rights. For it was then that the disparities between the lives of Black and white peoples became

apparent to my innocent eyes. Blessedly, I was surrounded by love, a foundation that would

equip me for what lay ahead as I journeyed into adulthood.

Growing up in Alabama, integrating formerly all-white schools when I turned twelve years old

was not the type of experience that one might imagine. It and the years that followed where I

was one of only a few Black students was positive in many respects, except for three racist

experiences that I seemingly will never forget. Never did I feel less than or that I was incapable

of competing and ultimately succeeding. Today, I realize how extremely rare my experiences

were and how very special my parents, community, church and teachers were.

In November 2007, with Barack Hussein Obama’s election to the highest position in the land, it

appeared that America might indeed be on the cusp of a Post-Racial Society, as John Dulles, my

friend, former Rocky Mountain Regional U.S. Civil Rights Commission Director, would say.

John, the grandson of the renown Republican Presidential Cabinet Member for whom

Washington Dulles Airport was named should know, right? Yet, there remained a lingering sense

that not all was well with the world or the country that many of us call home. My dear friend

Deborah observed one day that I was prescient (i.e., can foresee the future) was spot-on.

Perhaps, you’d call it Mother’s Wit, as the elders used to say.

Regardless of what caused me my unease, there was just something that made me wonder if

America was truly ready for a Black president, no matter how brilliant, dignified, and graceful he

might be. It was not. Whether the country ever will be ready for a leader who shares my skin

tone is questionable. Maybe such readiness will never come. I believe, though, that ready or not

someday, it will have no choice. Let’s hope that it won’t be too late.

Velveta

Velveta Golightly-Howell, Esq.

Caveat: The views expressed herein are those of the author and are not to be contributed to

Sister-to-Sister, Inc.