Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Happy Hump Day!
It seems so strange to me that it's Wednesday already. These past couple of days have been an emotional whirlwind for me! First, it was a Monday filled with anticipation and reflection. Then yesterday, it was a Dream realized. I'm still high even though I'm exhausted today!
So many people from my job were off yesterday. Everyone is telling their stories of how they spent their day - how they were either in D.C. at one of the balls or sitting home watching the parade on their couch. It'll be one of those "where were you when?" moments that will be discussed and re-lived for years and years to come.
At first, as I was watching all the coverage of the people gathered down in the mall, I felt a twinge like, "man, I should have gone down there." But it quickly disappeared as Kyce and Ibrahim (my nephews) BOUNDED all around the living room screaming and clapping, "OBAMA! OBAMA!" In that moment, there was no place I'd rather be. 
Would it have been great to meet people from around the country and around the world who came to witness this historic event in person? Absolutely. Would it have been great to stand arm and arm with folks who never thought this day would be possible? Of course. But as Kyce sat on my lap hanging onto Barack's every word, it hit me - this is exactly the way I was supposed to be witnessing history.
I didn't need pictures, and buttons and souvenirs. The best thing I got to take away from Inauguration Day was that, to my nephews, this was normal. Barack Obama was the first President they've seen being sworn in. A Black man, just like them. The most powerful man in the world is a man with an African name, just like theirs - he is THEIR President. What a sight to see - the glimmer in a child's eye - that he can be ANYTHING he wants to be in this world - whether he's Black or African or Muslim. Anything. This is all they know. Mini Obamas in the making.
I can't wait to see all the pics that my friends took in D.C. and hear all the amazing stories. If any of you have anything to share of your Inauguration Day experience, then please - let's hear it! As Pranny would say, "Spread Love!"
-b
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
Today isn't just the eve of the historic inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama. It is the day we celebrate the life and contributions of one of our greatest Americans and champions of freedom and justice for not just people of color, but for ALL Americans.
Before Barack, he set the tone as one of our greatest orators of all time. This speech still gives me chills!
How appropriate that we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the eve of Barack Obama's inauguration. Dr. King was a prime example of how one man can bring about powerful change to a crippled nation. Our nation is weak at the knees once again, and in THIS time, the man to bring about change will be sworn in tomorrow. President-Elect Obama will call on all of us to make a difference, to serve our communities and to share a spirit of renewal for ourselves and our country. And there is no better day than today to open up that renewed spirit.
If you'd like to help Renew America Together - click on that link and sign up. The grassroots movement we helped build was always about more than an election. It's about bringing much needed change to Washington and our communities.
One more day til history! I was hoping to get down to D.C. for the inaugural festivities, but it just didn't work out that way. I will be following the coverage on CNN or ABC with my family in Philadelphia. If you'd like a breakdown of the 44th President Inauguration, go to that link to find all of the events leading up to and including the day of the inauguration.
So, what is everyone doing tomorrow? If you're around, let me know how you will be celebrating this amazing day in history! Now is the time!
-b
