The Reverend Talbert W. Swan, II, a community activist from Massachusetts, is urging Senator Barack Obama to run for President of the United States of America. Swan contends that the country is deeply divided and is need of hope and inspiration. The minister compares the inspiration that Senator Obama gives citizens is on par with that given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy in 1960s.
Reverend Talbert W. Swan, a pastor, author, and radio talk show host says that Senator Obama is a “bright shining star that has appeared to lead us back to the path of righteousness or at least the path back to sanity.” He tells the Senator that his political future is not in the hands of political pundits, political strategist or fund raises. “You are an idea whose time has come,” said Swan. The African American clergyman contends that a successful run by Obama will not only change American history but human history.
“I urge you to run for President of the United States of America and not to be concerned with anything or anyone who advises you differently. Your challenge is to remain true to your faith, your values and to motivate, lead and inspire America. When you do this, we all win. Whether or not you win the presidency we win. We are destined to win back: our dignity and respect; the respect of the international community; the meaning of the sacred inscription on the statue of liberty that urges the world to bring America their poor and hungry masses; and the expectations of Americans that they have a right to the truth based on accurate, objective and balanced information,” said Swan in his open letter to the Senator.
Reverend Talbert W. Swan says that the partisan bickering in Washington has left the country paralyzed to the point that it cannot act in its own best interests. He scolds elected leaders for not taking a strong enough stand on issues such as the Israeli/Palestinian conflict; Cuba; the war in Iraq; and what he calls the “isms.” Swan alludes that racism and sexism are alive and well in America, “else there would be no discussion on whether or not our country is ready for a woman or an African American president.”
The Reverend Talbert W. Swan concludes his charge to Obama by describing the Senator’s popularity as a phenomenon that is like faith, “the substance of what is hoped for and the evidence of what is unseen.” “Phenomena are unseen, we cannot capture it, see it, smell it or understand it, we just accept it. This is your time, the moment for which you were born. You are now in the “eye of the moment,” said Swan.
Pastor Talbert W. Swan, II, (BMP, ’98), pastor of Solid Rock Church of God in Christ, Indian Orchard, MA, has edited Closing the Closet: Testimonies of Deliverance from Homosexuality, published by Trumpet in Zion Publishing (July 2004). Closing the Closet is a 26-chapter book detailing the testimonies of 23 people who previously led a homosexual lifestyle and now say that God has transformed their lives so that they could leave a gay life.
The Rev. Talbert W. Swan, II is an American minister and pastor. Swan holds a B.S. in Computer Science from University of Massachusetts and Western New England College, a Bachelor of Theology (Th.B.), and a Master of Theology (Th.M.) degree. He is the Assistant General Secretary for the Church of God in Christ and the former National Chaplain for the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. In addition to spiritual guidance, Swan provides his flock with assistance on issues such as police brutality, housing discrimination, and employment assistance. Because of his activism, Rev. Swan has been featured in major media outlets such as, the Boston Globe, New York Times, Black Entertainment Television, and Fox News. He is married to the former Cynthia Davis. They have six children, Whitney, Shannon, Eryca, Drystal, Talbert III, and Lezine.