'peaceful' transfer of power

This week hearts across America are heavy. As the nation's first black leader, President Barack Obama, leaves office, President-elect Donald Trump enters the role after one of the most controversial politics campaigns the country has seen. Opinions aside, for the next four years we all must figure out how we will continue to encourage one another, continue to do great work and continue to build for a better tomorrow each and every day. 
This is not the first time we will have a transfer of power and this will not be the last. Happy, sad or distraught we must continue to build. President Obama spent eight years building up the economy, giving more than 8 million Americans health care and creating programs like, "My Brother's Keeper" that uplift inner cities instead of tear them down. These things are in jeopardy, but there is no time to get down. Instead, this is an opportunity to rise up. We fought for equality in the 20th century as if our lives depended on it. What will we do today?
Movies like "Hidden Figures" and "Fences" remind and educate us about the past. We must acknowledge our painful past to understand our path in the future. Fighting for our place in life is nothing do. With transition of power comes transition of ideals and values. Also, comes transition of mindset. We may be losing the country's first black president, but the hope and the real change we gained individually over the last 8 years isn't lost. Come January 21st we will get out of beds and get dressed as we have many times before and do the great work we know we were meant to do.