"Oh, I'll be there!" I respond to one of my customers who tells me that she will be taking her oldest children down to the National Mall in order to support the inauguration of our newly elected President Barack Obama.
I wouldn't miss it for the world. Honestly, I don't know how anyone that truly supported Barack Obama, and live in the Washington Metropolitan area couldn't. I mean seriously people really had no excuse to miss the momentous occasion.
I know I wouldn't be very close at all, but to me it was about being a part of the movement of change. People coming together to serve and show there voice in a movement of change. My cousins and I walked from his house in NW Washington D.C. down to the National Mall. That walk didn't kill us, it was still early, and we were pretty pumped.
Then, we hit our first roadblock. As we try to cross over into the National Mall, we are met with closed gates, metal detectors, national guardsmen, and police officers. As we stand in line for about fifteen minutes, I overhear a conversation with a man and his preteen daughter, the outcome crushed me. "When we were at the hotel, I decided that if we were standing outside for to long, that it would just be best for us to walk back to the hotel so we won't miss the swearing in." the Dad whispers to his daughter out of his wife's earshot. "You know that your Mom is going to be really upset, she had her heart set on seeing Obama," he continues. "Just tell her Dad!" the daughter responds, as if its that easy. Finally the Dad speaks to his wife, and surpringsly enough, the Mom didn't seem to upset. No less than 10 minutes pass--our line moves, and we all walk in. I felt terrible.
We walk into the security gates, and I see thousands of people everywhere. Everyone was soo positive. As cold as it was, I don't think I even remember hearing one person complain about the weather. I am snapping pictures left and right as our leader/s (that alpha thing kicked in, so the girls just chilled) directed us to the nearest jumbo-tron.
We made it just in time to see Biden and Obama being sworn in! The crowd was so elated. People were crying, hugging, kissing. All sorts of jubliation was happening. I was truly moved. Picking up after hearing his speech we headed towards the exit. One problem ---we couldn't get out. And that in itself, is an entirely different story, for next time.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Monday, September 8, 2008
4 years...
Dear Mom,
Four years have gone by. I can't believe it. I have so much I want to share with you. But everytime I try, I keep thinking about how I wish you were here. Our family needs you. Your heart kept us close. But the main thing is, I miss you. It took me four years to even write this much.
I'll like you forever, I'll love you for always, as long as I'm living you're daughter I'll be.
Your A-Baby
Four years have gone by. I can't believe it. I have so much I want to share with you. But everytime I try, I keep thinking about how I wish you were here. Our family needs you. Your heart kept us close. But the main thing is, I miss you. It took me four years to even write this much.
I'll like you forever, I'll love you for always, as long as I'm living you're daughter I'll be.
Your A-Baby
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Who's Gonna Save the World.... Part Two
Okay, sorry for the hiatus. Now where was I? Oh yeah, my list.
2. We appreciate our American citizenship. Go back to Africa is not a good comeback to this whole racism debate. Yes, I am an American citizen. I am also black or an African-American for lack of better terms. No, I have never lived in Africa, have never been to Africa, but I do hope to visit the motherland one day. Unfortunately, for me (and other black Americans) my ancestors were uprooted from their homeland and savagely shipped to a foreign land with different languages, different customs, and an entirely different culture. Therefore, we created our own which is entirely separate from many cultures in the different countries of Africa. No, we cannot just go back. I don't speak Swahili. I appreciate the significant steps that American citizens of every color have made to ensure that our country is really equal towards everyone. HOWEVER, this does not mean that our work is done. Just because our living conditions are better than many countries does not mean we stop striving for excellence.
Well, I think I pretty much covered some specific things that were bothering me. In the end, we all want the same thing -our children to grow up in a beautiful world, being able to achieve anything that their little hearts desire. Regardless, of what most think, I know it might be a little harder for my children with the present state of the world. I've learned that people are pretty stubborn. I once read somewhere that by the age of 21, we've pretty much lost most of our imagination. We just accept the harsh realities given to us by everyone else. I refuse to accept this. The fiery rebel in me lives on promoting discussion on those topics that we try to keep out of our jobs and our schools. Even if my words only impact one person, or you disagree with my opinions, at least you've heard another perspective. Communication is the only possible i'll ever succeed in change for if not my children, then maybe my children's children. So I guess, I will save the world, if you won't help me.
P.S. If you've never read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho you should really read it.
2. We appreciate our American citizenship. Go back to Africa is not a good comeback to this whole racism debate. Yes, I am an American citizen. I am also black or an African-American for lack of better terms. No, I have never lived in Africa, have never been to Africa, but I do hope to visit the motherland one day. Unfortunately, for me (and other black Americans) my ancestors were uprooted from their homeland and savagely shipped to a foreign land with different languages, different customs, and an entirely different culture. Therefore, we created our own which is entirely separate from many cultures in the different countries of Africa. No, we cannot just go back. I don't speak Swahili. I appreciate the significant steps that American citizens of every color have made to ensure that our country is really equal towards everyone. HOWEVER, this does not mean that our work is done. Just because our living conditions are better than many countries does not mean we stop striving for excellence.
Well, I think I pretty much covered some specific things that were bothering me. In the end, we all want the same thing -our children to grow up in a beautiful world, being able to achieve anything that their little hearts desire. Regardless, of what most think, I know it might be a little harder for my children with the present state of the world. I've learned that people are pretty stubborn. I once read somewhere that by the age of 21, we've pretty much lost most of our imagination. We just accept the harsh realities given to us by everyone else. I refuse to accept this. The fiery rebel in me lives on promoting discussion on those topics that we try to keep out of our jobs and our schools. Even if my words only impact one person, or you disagree with my opinions, at least you've heard another perspective. Communication is the only possible i'll ever succeed in change for if not my children, then maybe my children's children. So I guess, I will save the world, if you won't help me.
P.S. If you've never read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho you should really read it.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Who's Gonna Save the World....
I used to be a revolutionary.
But, somehow, between high school and now, I lost my fire. I didn't even notice it beginning to dwindle my freshman year of college, but as I got deeper and deeper into my education, became more, and more of an adult, my flame diminished little by little. Luckily, I caught it before it extinguished fully. Seems as if I caught it just in time.
Now, racism is a part of American culture that I fear might not ever go away. With the wins of the civil rights movement, and the implementation of affirmative action I believe our country has made mega-strides in a positive direction. And although, Jim Crow has been dormant for about 50 years, in the words of the Rev. Al Sharpton, "his son James Crow Esq." is rapidly picking up speed. The events, prosecution, and opinions of the Jena 6 assure me that racism is still alive and well.
In a perfect world, we would all be equal. And, Lord willing, when I get to meet my maker, he will treat me the same as he would any other soul. But, guess what??? I don't live in a perfect world. As a matter of fact, the world we live in is far from perfect. And like, my Dad always says, "Life isn't fair." Maybe because of my upbringing its hard for me to understand, why some folks just don't get it. So in efforts, to brighten my once diminished flame, I want to clear some things up.
But, somehow, between high school and now, I lost my fire. I didn't even notice it beginning to dwindle my freshman year of college, but as I got deeper and deeper into my education, became more, and more of an adult, my flame diminished little by little. Luckily, I caught it before it extinguished fully. Seems as if I caught it just in time.
Now, racism is a part of American culture that I fear might not ever go away. With the wins of the civil rights movement, and the implementation of affirmative action I believe our country has made mega-strides in a positive direction. And although, Jim Crow has been dormant for about 50 years, in the words of the Rev. Al Sharpton, "his son James Crow Esq." is rapidly picking up speed. The events, prosecution, and opinions of the Jena 6 assure me that racism is still alive and well.
In a perfect world, we would all be equal. And, Lord willing, when I get to meet my maker, he will treat me the same as he would any other soul. But, guess what??? I don't live in a perfect world. As a matter of fact, the world we live in is far from perfect. And like, my Dad always says, "Life isn't fair." Maybe because of my upbringing its hard for me to understand, why some folks just don't get it. So in efforts, to brighten my once diminished flame, I want to clear some things up.
- Black folks just can't "get over" slavery. Slavery happened, and it happened for a long time. The pyschological, and financial, and emotional effects of enslaving a particular group of people for so long do not just cease once you free them, give them the "right" to vote (but not enforce this right entirely) , and put in place affirmative action laws. I've heard ridiculous responses; for example, Adrienne Curry from ANTM says that as rape survivor she had to get over it, and basically empower herself. It is ridiculous for her to believe that all rape survivors could react in the same positive way she did. If we are going to celebrate our individuality and uniqueness, then we have to understand that all of us are different, and what works for some might not work for others. Sure there are many blacks, that against all odds, and by odds I mean lack of income, lack of role-models, lack of a proper and decent education, etc, etc. end out on top. But, everyone can't succeed with so many shortcomings from the start.
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