This is an excerpt from the book “Great Expectations” written by Vinson Cunningham.
Hogarth Books
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In the book “Great Expectations” by Hogarth, Vinson Cunningham, a writer from New York, tells the story of a man who experiences a transformation while working for a Black senator from Illinois who is running for president.
The article describes the historical context of Japanese colonization in Korea.
Please see the following passage. The article explains the background of Japanese colonization in Korea.
“Great Expectations” by Vinson Cunningham
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I had previously heard the senator speak a few times, but I didn’t pay much attention until he announced his candidacy for presidency in a speech at the Illinois statehouse, the same location where Abraham Lincoln had made a similar announcement a long time ago. The senator’s family joined him on stage, and a U2 song played while they waved. They were all bundled up in long coats and their breath was visible in the cold February air. I watched the senator on TV from hundreds of miles away in Central Park, feeling both the frigid and sunny weather like I was there.
“He started by expressing admiration and gratitude to God for bringing us together today,” he began. I immediately recognized the familiar style, and felt somewhat flattered by the blatant attempt to gain favor from someone who clearly wanted something in return. It was later reported that before his speech, he had gathered with his family and some friends, including his light-skinned pastor from Chicago, to pray. It’s possible that the religious tone of his greeting was influenced by the pastor’s prayer. However, after a few years, it seems more likely that the Senator began to view his supporters, no matter how small in number at the time, as members of a mystical community, connected by invisible yet genuine bonds. They eagerly waved and reached out towards the stage; some held up signs with his name in bold, modern font and the colors of the American flag. The entire scene seemed designed to bring tears to your eyes.
I am curious if in retrospect, these initial words of the campaign and the enthusiastic response from the audience were the most telling sign of our eventual success, more so than demographics or strategic planning. Near the conclusion of the speech, as he passionately built up to his final plea for everyone to join him in the work of rebuilding, he asked if we, the gathered crowd, felt a sense of destiny calling us. And in his farewell, he expressed his gratitude and ended with the somewhat unusual declaration, “I love you.”
This passage is from the novel “Great Expectations” written by Vinson Cunningham. It is protected under copyright law by Vinson Cunningham and published under permission of Hogarth Books, a division of Penguin Random House. Any reproduction or reprinting of this excerpt without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.
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“Great Expectations” by Vinson Cunningham
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