On June 3rd, 2008, Barack Obama and his wife Michelle took part in what immediately became known as "the fist bump heard 'round the world." Though it was an intensely personal and affectionate gesture of love and respect at a pivotal moment in Obama's presidential campaign, it firmly placed the fist bump on the national stage.
In the following days and weeks, the fist bump took the country by storm. Though the "knuckle bump" had been used for years, it had never been so used so publicly, or by such an important figure.
Obama's use of the fist bump instantly encapsulated what he, and the growing movement of change-seeking Americans, were all about: it was something new, something clean, and something that was wholly about respect.
Nearly a year later, a group of like-minded people have gotten together to commemorate Obama's grand gesture, but also to take the fist bump to a higher level, one above partisan politics and social divides. For one day we are calling for Americans, and perhaps even all global citizens, to put aside their differences -- be they class, race, religion or values -- and show their respect with a little bump.
Sometimes all the world needs is a little human touch, a little flesh on flesh action, and a little understanding.
For the oppressed, peace is the absence of oppression, but for the oppressor, peace is the absence of resistance.
