Contributor Andrew Padula has been in situations throughout his life where he’s felt compelled to address racial issues from his unusual perspective. Andrew is a white, politically conservative, blues musician who’s been teaching and touring the U.S. and Europe since 1993. He can be seen with blues legend Bobby Parker on B.E.T. Jazz Central as well as on Carlos Santana’s recent DVD release “Montreux Blues Summit”. But lately, Andrew has moved into politics. This past season, he ran a Congressional campaign for a Republican candidate in Maryland’s 8th district. His point of view is critical to our discussion, so I welcome Andrew and his column The Topsoil to Allaboutrace.com. Andrew says it best: “You gotta turn the topsoil to plant a crop!”

It is beyond obvious that out of the gates our new President will have more crisis level issues to deal with than any President in history. Notice that I said “our new President”. Being a practical member of the regenerating Republican party, I for one, will accept the will of the electorate and support the nation that I love, it’s Constitution, as well as it’s new standard bearer. Unlike the last eight years, you can rest assured that there will be much less of the “my President, your President invective”. True Republicans love our country too much to denigrate it’s institutions and traditions, i.e. the concept of a loyal opposition. I am a firm believer in doing the little things that everyone can agree upon and fighting the fights that can be won.

There are two things that President elect Obama can do that could make a big difference in lifting the nation’s morale as well as improving the immediate situation of thousands of District of Columbia residents. The first is to appoint and or to consult more minorities and women when assembling his cabinet. I know it is early, but his first few forays into the field have looked like the old ex-Clintonista White guys club. He should consult or recruit individuals like Lt Gen. Russel Honre’ for Dept. of Homeland Security, or Thomas Sowell the respected conservative economist from Stanford University. So far, I see few women and minorities in his circles. Republicans can’t be criticized on equal opportunity appointments. It would be a shame for the nation’s first bi-racial President to break that trend. The children of today, who will be the leaders of tomorrow, need more than one visible leader that they can aspire to.

The second thing that he can do is put his kids in public school. The focused attention that this would bring to bear, as well as the obvious upgrades in staff and infrastructure, will markedly improve the performance of at least two schools, thus improving the lives of thousands of District residents. More than likely, the effect will reverberate throughout the District’s entire system and generate an attitude of striving for excellence that will make the schools worthy of representing the capital of the free world.

So I would encourage my new President to take the little steps like these to improve the daily lives of people and deliver on that message of “Hope”. I truly believe that these little things, that are visible and affect people at a personal level, create an impact that will help determine whether or not he is my new President for the next four or eight years.