Let us unite in banishing fear

"After all, there is an element in the readjustment of our financial system more important than currency, more important than gold, and that is the confidence of the people. Confidence and courage are the essentials of success in carrying out our plan. You people must have faith; you must not be stampeded by rumors or guesses. Let us unite in banishing fear. "

Roosevelt said it well, and it's something I hope we will all hear again. I walked into class today and one student was showing a video (ah, the lovely combination of you tube and wifi in a college classroom) to his fellow classmates that went on and on about all of the reasons to fear Obama. I realized in that moment how tired I am of all of the talk of fear. It's time to act out of a position of health and wellness, to choose the good rather than running from the bad. It's also time for truth to make a come-back, rather than all of us being satisfied with the malicious spreading of rumor and innuendo in the hope that a fearful people will more easily be controlled.

So "let us unite in banishing fear", because, as Roosevelt said, "Together we cannot fail."

Can you find the words?

From a text message making the rounds in Accra, Ghana:

"Rosa Parks sat down so that Martin Luther King could walk so that Jesse Jackson could stand so that Obama could run so that our children can fly."

Seven-year-old Ohene:

"Daddy, you mean since God created the world this is the first time that a black person has become president of America?"

Wow, indeed.