Dear Friends, by now, you all know I regularly view history through the prism of popular music.
As we stand of the verge of a never-thought-I’d-see–it-in-my-lifetime moment,
I note that Sam Cooke, an ambitious and charismatic African American man who launched his career from his adopted home of Chicago, wrote “A Change Is Gonna Come” in 1964 during the most trying days of the civil rights movement. It posthumously became Cooke’s biggest selling and most profound song in his memorable catalogue of music.
Forty four years later, another ambitious and charismatic African American man who launched his career from his adopted home of Chicago took the word “Change” and built an entire presidential campaign around it.
Is Barack Obama aware of the connection or the irony?
If so, I have no knowledge of him mentioning it.
Does it even matter?
Probably not.
But, if you believe in Divine forgiveness as I do,
Sam Cooke will be smiling down from Heaven when all the votes are counted.
Sincerely,
Jack
Tuesday Afternoon
Election Day
November 4, 2008