First Decade of New Century- The Good and the Bad
The new century began without any computer breakdowns as suspected but included some good and bad history-making events. The best of the good was the inauguration of Barack Obama bringing the end to the eight year rule of selfish and misguided Republicans under President Bush. It was an inspiring run that joined thousands of people across racial and economic lines with the anthem, “Yes, We Can!” The decade ended with a vote to support health care reform legislation by both house of Congress–a long overdue milestone and harbinger of positive change for all Americans.
The bad trend began with the terror attack on the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. This attack spawned a war in Iraq that has outlasted its again “misguided” purpose. This war has caused the deaths of thousands of young men and women. Only now, in December 2009, have we had one month where not one American soldier has died. The financial and real estate markets faced a major collapse and the country descended into a meltdown deemed a “recession” with one-tenth of Americans unemployed and the federal government bailing out major banks and financial institutions. The first decade continued to embrace the talents of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson who died from liver cancer in October 2005 at the age of 60. Other veteran entertainers died much to the dismay of their legions of fans including Paul Newman, James Brown, Barbara Ann Teer, Ossie Davis and Michael Jackson. On the political stage, the lion of the Senate, Edward Kennedy, died last year after a brave fight with brain cancer. Harlem businessman and former Tuskegee airman Percy Sutton died at the age of 89 after decades of service to the Harlem and larger New York community.
– Jeanette Toomer
