Election Day History Made

Today the President of the United States will be elected.
Either incumbent Barack Obama or the GOP challenger Mitt Romney
I cast my vote early last week.
Tonight, as millions of Americans, will be 
Glued to the television.
Regardless of the outcome--History once again.
On Election Day 2008 I blogged:

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008

...And Now We Wait

The votes are now being tallied. I plan to pop some corn, curl with a cat, and wait....and oh, did I mention, pray? Regardless of this outcome, History unfolds before us.
I remember when Nixon resigned. My then best friend and I, were at Iowa State University, for a week long high school year book How To seminar, (to look back, we were 16 and had NO business being alone on a college campus with college age kids--yet, I digress). We sat and watched Richard Nixon, the first president to resign. My then best friend said, "We're watching history." 
Barack Obama's grandmother passed a day before the election. She didn't live long enough to witness if her grandson would be elected to the highest seat in the land. Then I realized, his grand mother may have known. How this night would turn out. That it was OK for her to rest then be refreshed as she walked with angels. Maybe...just maybe..."Toot" knew it was all ready done. 
Tonight, we're watching History again. Just wait a little while longer.

Wonder on Wednesday

President Barack Obama spoke tonight. I appreciate his candor. I want his words to come true. The hopes and dreams I have for this country. I still have the audacity of hope. My prayers to the president, as they did for the former president, who lives cross town from me. Stay tuned.

Also, a few weeks ago I spoke of my across the street neighbor, Mr. Woods. How I'd not seen him since Thanksgiving. How his van was parked in a way he didn't usually park it. Since then, his van is no longer parked there. A light burns inside all day and all night. Mr Woods is not there. Turns out he suffered a stroke. All we know, he's out of the hospital, but don't know location. If in rehab or with family. I've missed his kids at the house, they seem to pull away when I drive up. I'm bound and determined to ask them about Mr. Wood. The street still doesn't feel as safe, without Mr. Wood on patrol.

I wonder about tomorrow. The adventure, good and/or bad tomorrow holds.

Stay tuned.

Tonight's Stuff

Ever since I can recall, I never much made it a plan to listen/watch any speech given by the president. Except for Richard Nixon's resignation and Bill Clinton's Monica-gate. Outside of that--not so much. Really didn't even plan to listen to President Barack Obama's Address to Congress tonight.

But I did.

There are parts the media, opposition and the folks drinkin' coffee at Denny's will disect. I liked what President Obama said about no more tax breaks for companies who send jobs oversees. Or the pledge for healthcare and energy. The president, who is three years younger than me and I'm still trying to get around that, spoke of education. How all should pledge to get more education--like at least a year more..

Hmm. Kinda confirms what I've had on my mind. Years ago, I was a pre-K aid and tutor to older kids. I LOVED it. Hence, I started out be a teacher, and I let detours get in the way. So it didn't happen. Today, I go between criminal justice or physical therapist assistant. Folks I know will chime in. I like the thought of doing more. Help out. I'd still like to talk with folks that experienced their chests cracked open so they could have a little heart work done, like me. Stuff to think about. So time to look into some college catalogs.

Personally, I think President Obama did well on his first time in front of Congress. It's only been a month since he took office. Folks need to remember he's not exactly Moses. Even tho, like Moses, President Obama knows where his strength comes from.

And so do I.

Chimp Cartoon Comment

Blatant racism or not? I'd like to think not.

However, the cartoon of police looking at a chimp they've shot and say someone else has to now write the stimulus bill rubs me wrong way. Irks me. To me,. it is a stereotypical reference to my race. Chimps and monkeys. My first view of the cartoon had me do a second take. I wondered out loud: "Is the cartoonist saying President Obama is a monkey? Should the monkey be shot?"

I'm aware of the person being mauled by a chimp. I'm well aware of the stimulus bill--where's my bailout?--nonetheless--if a shot at sly stereotypical slip was intended, it worked. If it wasn't to be a shot at stereotypical junk--it didn't work.

The cartoonist had a right to be creative and editorial edgy.

I have the right to ask the cartoonist: Just what were you thinking?

Dance to the History

I've been called Brown, Colored, Nigger, Black, Bronze, African-American and then by my name. Like alot of kids, with the same skin color-some lighter, some darker--we've all been told we could be anything we set our mind to.

My heart was set on being a ballerina. Wanted to dance on my toes. I was about 9 or 10, when my mom burst the Anything Bubble. She informed since I wasn't built the 'right way' I couldn't be a ballerina. So my dance teacher put me in a hula skirt because I looked 'authentic.' Granted, it could have been my knees or ankles, or maybe I wasn't built like a white girl. I don't know. I never asked about it again, even when I got older. My heart was broken. So much for being able to do anything. I still believed, but not as much.

Then comes today. A day of History. I think of my ancestors, who were slaves in Virginia, during the building of the White House. Maybe their sweat and grit built that mansion. Did they wonder if they would ever be able to do anything else? Would they always be slaves to another man? Dare not to hope, to dream, or to feel? I think of what my family and others endured to get to this moment.

As a kid I worried about only to dance on my toes. My ancestors walked to do what had to be done just to survive. Did they think as presidents moved into the White House and brought their slaves with them, would ever be a day like this? A man who shared the same skin color, yet not owned by another man, to lead a free country of every man. Did they?

Listen close. Hear their voices? The winds of time have not silenced them. The voices of our past. Those voices whisper hope, faith--they nod, because they believed this day would come.

History.

I am a woman who has been called Brown, Colored, Nigger, Black, Bronze, African-American and then by my name. Just call me an American.

History. Today. How can one not look at today and not believe they CAN be anything they set their mind too? I may not dance on my toes, yet I will dance.

God Bless the United States of American and President Barack Obama.

Voyage

Tomorrow is Inauguration Day for your 44th President of these United States. Would continues to thrill me, if every Black person--just Blacks alone-voted for Barack Obama--it wouldn't have been enough of the vote to take him over the top. As our President -Elect says there is so much work to be done. It will get worse before it gets better. Sincere Hope and Faith will shine our path through.

So Sunday

Barak is in the Bible.

Yes, he is. And no, I didn't know. Not until this morning's service at Friendship West Baptist Church from Pastor Freddy Haynes. My mouth dropped. Take a look in Judges 4:6-16. There was Deborah, a phophet AND a judge (folks probably hated on her) sent for Barak. Deborah informed Barak God commanded him to prepare for battle at Mount Tabor. with Sisera, who had oppressed the children of Israel for twenty years. Deborah herself would make sure Barack won the battle.

Yesterday, I attended a celebration for Barack Obama's presidential victory. We could offer a few words if moved, including poems and essays. I consider myself no poet. And the only folks who have read or heard my poetry (all 2 of poems) has been my critique group. More of a short fiction kinda girl I am. Yet, I wrote "This Day" about four hours before I read it before the group.

And Barak in the Bible? He won. With help from God, his soldiers and a woman. Hmm. History repeated itself on November 4, 2008 with another Barack.

This Day

November 4, 2008 was a day
When 14 million more people
Than before ventured to the polls
To make sure they had their say.

It was time for decision
To choose the nation’s new leader,
A Commander in Chief who they prayed
Really did share their own vision.

Would the choice be of Arizona’s John McCain?
Prisoner of War and a man labeled a true maverick?
Yet more often than not, words he chose
Were sought in desperation, sick and inflected pain.

Would the choice be of Illinois’ Barack Obama?
Who resembled none of nation’s past Commanders,
Also a true maverick for through storms, he proved calm, cool
He was nobody’s fool.

All over this land from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean
More people than history has ever seen,
Of every color, of every creed had their notion
To stand in lines long, to cast their vote and then to wait.

For confirmation November 4, 2008 would be the day
Barack Obama was elected our 44th President of these United States
A Black Man, not to serve those inside the White House, but
Elected to be a servant of the people, by the people, for the people.

This is our day.

©2008

We are blessed.

Two Days After

Couldn't we all use a man every now and then? I tell ya, when you're pretty much OK doing the single thing: ice cream whenever, SOAPnet whenever, dance around your bungalow with your rattiest t-shirt imaginable whenever, and ya wonder if maybe one more cat would like tomove in....then comes the stuff ever Monday and Thursday night: to gather the trash and haul to the curb.

You love trash day, yet you tire of the toil to the curb...lingers there with doing dishes. I digress. Let's say, years ago, a man you thought you were gonna marry, asked if he could move in . See, he was moving back to Dallas after living out of state. You thought about it. He hates cats--so he says. But he said he'd take out the trash. You almost sealed the deal-your had visions of sharing ice cream while fighting over what to watch on TV and you made sure your rattiest t-shirt was not in his eye shot and that a cat wouldn't use one of his shoes as a litter box. Then reality: your relationship was quite odorifus. Plain and simple: it stank. You remember his offer as you haul the trash bags to the curb.

You did love him. Still do, in a bittersweet chocolate kinda way. And you know he reads this blog. It's one of those shoulda, coulda, what woulda happened things.

Oh well. Trash is where it needs to be: on the curb. Didn't really have that much. Cats are fed. You're supper is done. Thursday Night TV is about to burst forth. Sinkful of dishes can wait until tomorrow.

Even after two days, you still pinch yourself that Black is the new President of the United States.

....and doesn't he take out the trash?

HISTORY

Congratulations Mr. President,
You are covered by His hand.


We are blessed.








































.

...And Now We Wait

The votes are now being tallied. I plan to pop some corn, curl with a cat, and wait....and oh, did I mention, pray? Regardless of this outcome, History unfolds before us.

I remember when Nixon resigned. My then best friend and I, were at Iowa State University, for a week long high school year book How To seminar, (to look back, we were 16 and had NO business being alone on a college campus with college age kids--yet, I digress). We sat and watched Richard Nixon, the first president to resign. My then best friend said, "We're watching history."

Barack Obama's grandmother passed a day before the election. She didn't live long enough to witness if her grandson would be elected to the highest seat in the land. Then I realized, his grand mother may have known. How this night would turn out. That it was OK for her to rest then be refreshed as she walked with angels. Maybe...just maybe..."Toot" knew it was all ready done.

Tonight, we're watching History again. Just wait a little while longer...

It's 7:33 AM. I need to get on outta here for work in no later than 7 minutes. I have chills shoot thru my body. I stepped on the scale--three pounds gained--had to be the ice cream. I don't care--it'll melt off.

Today--the decision is made--finally.

Tonight--before we head to bed, we hope to have a new president

Tomorrow-regardless of outcome, a new History begins

Something to be said about...

Then
Later
Now.



History.

Headlines: Right Now-Obama and Biden

Doesn't ring my chimes.

I'm still into History being made. In my opinion, for the moment. History has stalled.

Why Joe Biden?

I'm sure he's a fine politics guy. Been in Washington since the '70's. But isn't he just a few years younger than John McCain? Is Joe Biden as much about "Change" as Barack Obama? Is he in touch with young folk of America? Is Joe Biden their hip grandfather? Or does he cater to that section of Americans, who remember how things use to be-for those folks who still won't even shake Barack Obama's hand?

Gotta tell you, I wanted Hillary as the VP. Dream Team. Scream Team--whatever their match would be called. THAT woulda been History. Change. Something not seen before.

Right now? Same ol' same ol'. Yawn.

Wouldn't it be something if John McCain's VP is from out side his party? Someone who would really rock the boat? Didn't think that was possible. Now I think otherwise.

Barack Obama, I've been in your corner. I'm not as confident as I was a couple days ago about you, Michelle and the girls, taking up residence in that house on Pennslvania Avenue. Right this minute, I ain't feelin' it. I hope I'm wrong.

By November, I'll overdose on articles, DVRs of George Stephanopoulos, and listen to all that's said about the Obama-Biden ticket. Gotta be shown why you two are Olympic Gold. Because right now, as I look at the replay of this presidential relay-you're close to the line--close to being disqualified.

Right now--alot of work to be done.

Headlines....Oh Jesse Jackson....

what were you thinking?!??!?! How you thought Barack Obama speaks and then to say what you wanted to cut off?

This is a time where we Blacks need to uplift each other higher. There was a time, a Black Man would be beaten into a stupor or even death, if it was thought he even glanced at a white woman. Now one such woman may be a vice president to the new president, who happens to be a Black Man.

At a time where this 2008 election makes history daily, without a sign saying: "Coloreds Only" blocking the way. Just a few decades ago, you sought the Democratic nomination to be President of our United States. What would your reaction be if someone said you spoke down to folks? Wait a minute--didn't you have to apologize to the Jewish population because of something you said, that you thought occurred in private--just like you these currents remarks were said in private--oh yea, with a microphone on? My question to you is, how did/does Barack Obama speak down to our people? Especially after you uttered a slur that degraded a population?

Yes, you marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. You witnessed history. You made history. You planted seeds so Barack Obama, along with any other girl or boy, of any color can rise to be leader of the strongest land on Earth. Now with your remarks, it just stirs the pot of what Black really want.

For that, I'm tired of this race to the White House. For that, I wish it were years into the future after our United States experienced several presidents of either gender of any ethnicity, so this question of how every cough, pant suit, or gesture would not need to be scrutinized.

However, we're not at that point, Jesse Jackson. For you, I'm sorry this isn't 1984 or 1988, with you receiving the kind of recognition that Barack Obama garners. When you ran for president, yes, it was thrilling. Yet it wasn't your time. Or our time. Maybe now it is. Embrace Barack Obama, for without you he may not even be at this point.

You are not the voice of all Black America. You are not my voice. The Voice of Black America comes from those who speak on their own. Give folks enough credit to understand what they hear and speak what they know. Especially on November 4, 2008, the voice may be the loudest its ever been, with spirits of our ancestors engulfing us.

Languish in the harvest you started, Jesse Jackson, not chop it down.

Shame on you.

Unity in the Democratic Party....maybe...

Barack and Hillary will meet Friday in Unity, New Hampshire. For their first joint campaign stop. As much as they are the same, their thoughts differ. Quite the interesting campaign it was. I'm sure there is some bitterness and 'what if..." I always believed it was her nomination to lose.

He is our Democratic nominee for President of these United States. My opinion is there can be no other Vice President. She should be that nominee. Both had ancestors that were not allowed the right to vote. Now here we are.

This is his presidency to lose. She should be Vice President. I personally feel Barack would be wrong to not invite her. While I believe Hillary would be wrong to not accept.

History.

The pages await.

The Final Two....

Quite the red hair Fantasia had.......
nonetheless....the battle between the Two Davids brews....I'll be watching--ice cream in tow...

Why can't the presidential election be held like American Idol? John, Hillary and Obama, just get on the stage. Debate each other. Chat with the audience...maybe even show that creative side---after all Bill did play sax on Arsenio....Leave it to the audience vote....>BAM!<>

Oh wait..David Cook might just win that too!

Headlines....What's Love Got to Do With It?

I watched a bit Meredith’s interview, this morning on Today, with a long-together married couple with children. To me, the couple were so into each other. They held hands. The way the wife gazed at her man. When the husband admitted he got embarrassed when she praised him, and cut her off. And when she repeated, ‘I am proud of you.” He beamed. They’ve been through a lot these past few months, including just recently. You knew the husband was tired of questions about clergy. The wife held her man’s hand throughout. That was nice.

Oh, and did I say the husband just happens to be running for president?

Barack and Michelle Obama. Good to them together. To talk. To share. I liked it.

Whatever happens in November, history’s paint is already over the pages.

A black man and a woman—two of most oppressed groups in our nation’s history—are on the cusp of holding the highest post in the land. A land, that once upon a time, sold his ancestors as if they were livestock. Forbid him to be a man. A land that still didn’t permit her vote until the 20th century and still doesn’t have a paycheck as much as her male counterpart.

History is being made.

Today, I saw a couple, despite their experiences-good and bad- are still into each other.

That was nice.

Martin Luther King Jr was silenced 40 years ago today. I remember being a fourth grader, invovled with my daily after school TV dose of Huckleberry Hound, when ABC broke into regular programming. My mom said, "Oh Lord." My dad said, "I'll be damned."

Didn't all the way get it. I just know Huckleberry Hound wasn't on. I didn't get what this man tried to do for 'colored folks' like me. I lived in Iowa. I drank from the same fountain and there weren't any buses to ride in my hometown of 6000. I know some kids called me 'nigger'. Yet, it was never bad enough to be scared to go to school.

I felt sorry for Martin Luther King Jr's kids, because they wouldn't have a daddy anymore. Just the same way I felt when JFK was silenced and saw Caroline at his funeral. What would they do with out her daddy? Just the same way I felt when Robert Kennedy was silenced two months later.

I get it now. Martin Luther King Jr had a dream. Shivers still go up and down my spine when I hear now. Alot has changed in 40 years. Yet alot has stayed the same-Jena, Louisana, any one? I grew up watching our country's unrest on TV. It seemed so far away from my Iowa town. Today's kids just know what they learn in school. It's historical to them. Things aren't that way now, some may conclude-as they stick in their ear buds. .

In the 60's, I watched Martin Luther King Jr on TV walk through a crowd talking if he were president. I thought how strange it would be to have a colored man as president. For some reason, as a kid, I was scared of that thought. Could a colored man do as well?

It's 2008. I'm not so scared anymore. Honestly Black may be color of the next president.

I get that. .