I recieved this in an email the other day and came across "the Root" blog and germane advice from Alice Walker about Soul.

An Open Letter to Barack Obama Alice Walker on expectations, responsibilities and a new reality that is almost more than the heart can bear. TheRoot.com Updated: 10:55 PM ET Nov 4, 2008

READ MORE FROM ELECTION NIGHT.

Nov. 5, 2008

Dear Brother Obama,

You have no idea, really, of how profound this moment is for us. Us being the black people of the Southern United States. You think you know, because you are thoughtful, and you have studied our history. But seeing you deliver the torch so many others before you carried, year after year, decade after decade, century after century, only to be struck down before igniting the flame of justice and of law, is almost more than the heart can bear. And yet, this observation is not intended to burden you, for you are of a different time, and, indeed, because of all the relay runners before you, North America is a different place. It is really only to say: Well done. We knew, through all the generations, that you were with us, in us, the best of the spirit of Africa and of the Americas. Knowing this, that you would actually appear, someday, was part of our strength. Seeing you take your rightful place, based solely on your wisdom, stamina and character, is a balm for the weary warriors of hope, previously only sung about.

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There is a great quote from Charles Landry regarding planners. He states:

“Finally, I argue that those in planning from land use to urban marketing are not creative enough, because they limit what they see as resources and underestimate the diverse ways of improving or solving problems. In part their mindscape is at fault and in part the uncreative bureaucratic process they are bound into. Yet if they get it right they can and do create physical spaces and opportunities that act as a stimulus for imaginative action so that the city works well as a creative system. This might require new leaders and certainly new training.”

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