Greetings! At 11:00p on November 4, 2008, Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th President of the United States. At that minute, I was stunned, but as the reality of it all hit me upside the head I began to reflect on this 22 month journey, one that I was on board with from day one.
This journey started for me on a fall day at Boston College when my cousin, her friend and I had an opportunity to be a part of a select group of freshman, faculty, alumnae, and guests who came to see him speak about social responsibility. During this conversation, he notified the incoming class that they needed to be a part of something that was bigger than them selves – something that would stand as a testament to their parents, their children and their grandchildren. It was here that one student wanted to know when he was going to announce his candidacy for president. Obama slowly smiled and seemed to dismiss the notion that he could be a viable candidate. That was the fall of 2005 – what a difference a day makes….
I am beside myself right now. During the campaign, I allowed myself to dream about the possibilities. I have to admit that I got a little scared on Monday, thinking about the people who were not voting, the various reasons they made that choice and how far the right would go to get their peers to the polls to bring the McCain/Palin to the White House. At about 6:00p, after the first polls closed, they showed the electoral count and it was McCain 8, Obama 3. That worried me because in sports, 9 times out of 10, the one who gets on the board first, gains a momentum that sometimes can’t be stopped. I got my swagger back when Obama won Pennsylvania. When Ohio came in, my hopes escalated. At 11:00p the networks simultaneously called the race. The tears rolled down my face before my brain, my heart and my soul could reconcile the fact that history, our history was just made. It was difficult to go to sleep last night, but it was amazingly easy to get up this morning. I watch the BBC and saw all the celebrations all over the world as they congratulated us for being smart enough to choose change over fear.
I got text messages from a lot of folk – when they voted and when Obama won. The most profound message came from one of my closest childhood friends who said “I feel blessed that in my lifetime I was able to see a black man become president and more importantly that my children get to see that the sky in the limit.”
I went this morning to pick up the locals newspapers which I will save. I will also buy a half a dozen magazines I am bound to pick up that will chronicle Obama Rising.
As I rounded the corner to go to my desk, I saw this lady who many months ago said that she would support him; however, she was afraid that someone would try to kill him. I told her that we all should be aware of the danger, but not let that fear discourage us from our destiny. I reminded her of that conversation. She gave me a big hug and said – we did it!
And though it seems heaven sent / We ain't ready to have a black president."
Tupac said that almost ten years ago – I am glad he wasn’t right, but sad that he did not see OUR dream realized.
I am thoroughly distracted, extremely proud and very hopeful for all us – black, brown, white, yellow, purple and striped!
Tell me how you felt at 11:00p on November 4, 2008.
With that said all the best today and always.
G
This journey started for me on a fall day at Boston College when my cousin, her friend and I had an opportunity to be a part of a select group of freshman, faculty, alumnae, and guests who came to see him speak about social responsibility. During this conversation, he notified the incoming class that they needed to be a part of something that was bigger than them selves – something that would stand as a testament to their parents, their children and their grandchildren. It was here that one student wanted to know when he was going to announce his candidacy for president. Obama slowly smiled and seemed to dismiss the notion that he could be a viable candidate. That was the fall of 2005 – what a difference a day makes….
I am beside myself right now. During the campaign, I allowed myself to dream about the possibilities. I have to admit that I got a little scared on Monday, thinking about the people who were not voting, the various reasons they made that choice and how far the right would go to get their peers to the polls to bring the McCain/Palin to the White House. At about 6:00p, after the first polls closed, they showed the electoral count and it was McCain 8, Obama 3. That worried me because in sports, 9 times out of 10, the one who gets on the board first, gains a momentum that sometimes can’t be stopped. I got my swagger back when Obama won Pennsylvania. When Ohio came in, my hopes escalated. At 11:00p the networks simultaneously called the race. The tears rolled down my face before my brain, my heart and my soul could reconcile the fact that history, our history was just made. It was difficult to go to sleep last night, but it was amazingly easy to get up this morning. I watch the BBC and saw all the celebrations all over the world as they congratulated us for being smart enough to choose change over fear.
I got text messages from a lot of folk – when they voted and when Obama won. The most profound message came from one of my closest childhood friends who said “I feel blessed that in my lifetime I was able to see a black man become president and more importantly that my children get to see that the sky in the limit.”
I went this morning to pick up the locals newspapers which I will save. I will also buy a half a dozen magazines I am bound to pick up that will chronicle Obama Rising.
As I rounded the corner to go to my desk, I saw this lady who many months ago said that she would support him; however, she was afraid that someone would try to kill him. I told her that we all should be aware of the danger, but not let that fear discourage us from our destiny. I reminded her of that conversation. She gave me a big hug and said – we did it!
And though it seems heaven sent / We ain't ready to have a black president."
Tupac said that almost ten years ago – I am glad he wasn’t right, but sad that he did not see OUR dream realized.
I am thoroughly distracted, extremely proud and very hopeful for all us – black, brown, white, yellow, purple and striped!
Tell me how you felt at 11:00p on November 4, 2008.
With that said all the best today and always.
G
1 comment:
Yes it was!!!! And what an awe-inspiring time it is. My thoughts also went to my parents and how they never thought such a day would come in their lifetimes. I also thought of my nieces and nephews who will reap the benefits of this historical event. But finally, I thought of myself and my part in it. I thought of what my duty now becomes - a duty that we cannot put solely on the shoulders of our President. The burden falls on all of us to be role models and to strive for more so those who come after us will be as blessed as we are today. Strive to walk closer with God, strive to keep a healthy spirit and mind, take time to take care of yourself physically, strive to cultivate positive relationships, strive to be more understanding, reach for more in your professional life and don't get comfortable with what folk give you, step out on faith and go after something you really want. If we all take just one lesson from President Obama, his legacy will stretch far beyond his ascent to the White House, it will touch generations for years to come. -Jaybird
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