Ode to a Great Campaign

The major theme of Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign is, of course, "Change." Many Americans want to be a part of the Second Revolution, but they don't know exactly how to get started. Accordingly, the following is an essay/poem, which is appropriately titled:

"How to Be a Change Agent"

By Lysistrata

"The Times, They Are A-Changin'," or so the timeless song goes

Yes, folks, we are embarking upon an era of monumental changes

Of course, these changes can't happen without people to create them

The tragedy, however, is that so many people are afraid to shake things up

Consequently, our society remains stagnant

Furthermore, individuals remain oppressed

The problem lies in the fact that too many potential change agents do not know how to go about creating the necessary changes

They have a myriad of excuses, too

Like, for instance, "I don't have the cash to spare."

Then, there's my personal favorite, "I would get involved with causes, but I'm worried about what others will think of me."

First of all, there are many little things you can do that don't cost anything

This includes letter writing and joining community organizations and charities

As for having a fear of "what others will think," you must put this into perspective

Seriously, what's the worst thing that could happen?

Also, think of the great changes that have already taken place in our society

For example, where would we be if Rosa Parks hadn't refused to give up her bus seat?

Where would we be if Thomas Jefferson hadn't written the Declaration of Independence?

Answer: Nowhere

And that's exactly my point--if Ms. Parks had graciously moved, we'd still be racially segregated, and if Mr. Jefferson hadn't proposed that the fledgling republic become a sovereign nation, we'd still be under the thumb of the Mother Country

So, we are now at the possible end of another Era of Oppression

If we do not act immediately, we will lose our inalienable rights

We cannot afford to sit idly by and let the presiding negative forces run their course

Instead, we must work to alter the course of our history

No, fulfilling this proposition won't be easy

But we can no longer afford to take the path of least resistance

The time has come to take the road not taken

That's the only way to make a much-needed difference in our society

And it won't happen overnight, either

Change takes time

That's an undeniable truth

These changes will occur in stages

They will be tangible to future generations

By the same token, our progeny will suffer if we do not act now

Therefore, we must put aside our fears

And that, my friends, is how to become a change agent