Have We Overcome?

I found myself, this morning, humming then singing
that profound Negro spiritual, We Shall Overcome.
As I sang I unexpectedly found myself tearful as I
recalled my consciousness, seared with images of
beatdowns and "I am a man" and water hoses and
German Guard Dogs. Segregation. Colonialism. And
now, a black president. But... suddenly I stopped
being tearful. And I was singing again, but this
time I meant it. For I realized that though YOU
have overcome, I have not. My change, that I can
believe in, has yet to happen.

We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome someday...
Deep in my heart, I do believe
...
"...we shall overcome...