I am appalled over some of the things said and actions that have taken place since “we the People of the United States of America” elected a new president, who happens to be a black man.

As I was growing up, I’ve heard a remark from some that it will be a cold day in hell before a black man becomes president.

Now, today, since the election, I’ve heard remarks that he won’t be there for long because some people will not have it.

I’ve read in a newspaper that certain organizations were recruiting new members for hate crime purposes.

When will we change, people? When all these things came to my attention, for a while I thought I was living in the ’60s.

Why can’t we accept change and get over our hatred for one another. Why can’t we believe that God is truth and every man’s a lie? Why? It really sickens me that the world is so disturbed over a black man being in the highest office and not concentrating on the fact that America is becoming a poor nation.

Why people? Again, when will we accept change for what it really is and move on. I don’t know what the days ahead are going to bring, but I am willing to find out. I only pray that God will reverse what has happened to our country and find favor to put us back on top.

It didn’t surprise me that Obama would become president-elect. Have you ever just had a gut feeling that something was going to happen and that no matter how obstacles got in the way, it was going to happen?

For the first time since I have been voting, I got seriously involved in the presidential election and its process.

Why, was it because a black man was running? Simply, no. A black man has run before. Was it because a woman was running? Simply, no. That was no surprise to me.

Was it because the economy was so bad that I wanted a change? Simply, no.

Was it because my last child would vote for the first time in his life? Well, maybe yes.

But when I really started paying attention to the election, I heard a man speak in such a manner that it deserved attention.

I watched how Obama was dissected by his running mates, potential voters, his closest friends and even some of his peers in the political arena.

As I watched this man get attacked by many, I noticed how he kept his composure, and responded with simple words as “not so.”

Even now as the election has passed, I still get chills that run up and down my spine looking back. One thing for sure, I knew it was going to happen.

Will we continue to hate and be divided? If so, we are headed sooner than we think to destruction of the U.S. God said if my people who are called by my name would humble themselves, seek my face and pray, then he would heal the land. OK, people of the United States of America, what are your true wishes?

Do you really want to be a blessed country? Then change must be a part of the process. He said humble ourselves. It will not happen with all the hating. We are destroying ourselves. The land (United States) will never be healed until we, as a people, come together and move on.

How can we believe that we will be blessed when we still hate one another and think the color of one’s skin makes a difference? Believe this, we will never be blessed until we change our wicked ways.

I know that there are people who want to continue living in the past, but I need to tell you something. Nothing happens just by chance.

Change was planned way before Nov. 4, 2008.

If you don’t get with change, you will be left behind wandering in yesterday just as the children of Israel who did not want to change and believe that God had a new thing for their survival.

Whatever our new president’s purpose is, we need to pray that it is for the “good.” Even if you believe that we are headed for destruction, then you need to pray that God will turn it around. God Bless America.

Beverly Gibson is a Ferriday resident.