Tuesday, January 22, 2013

What Watching Barack Obama get Sworn In Abroad did for Me

Today Barack Hussein Obama aka "Barry" aka "The Coolest President EVER" got sworn into office a 2nd time. I honestly never thought I'd live to see a African American man (biracial or not) get sworn into the Oval Office in my lifetime.
My children's, but mine? No...but on November 4, 2008 something happened. History was made and we were happy. So happy in fact, that we had his face on every t-shirt, mug, flyer, even on church fans. The first family was OUR family and we looked forward to 4 years of his motto: Change.
Welp, after the honeymoon was over and the real work began we saw that this presidency was not your average one. It was filled with natural disasters, economic uncertainty  and most of all- a underlying hate that can only be described as vengeful racism. I am not playing the "race card" In fact, I don't even carry that card in my pocket because it becomes a crutch to use too often when bad decisions catch up to us.
But 2008-2012 was filled with racism. Blatant disrespect for our Commander In Chief was the norm. Media outlets like Fox and Rush Limbaugh's radio show lead the charge in calling our President..OUR President a failure.

Once the election season started, it was an all out war. The gloves came off and each debate was like watching a boxing match. Each opponent bobbing and weaving their way out of the line of fire. National polls across the country depicted Mitt Romney the winner, they yelled that -the economy was awry- job numbers were down. They failed to mention the passing of the most important healthcare legislation to hit the US since Franklin D Roosevelt signed in the "New Deal" during the Great Depression. They failed to mention how the Lilly Ledbetter act signed in a the equal pay for equal for equal work. They failed to mention the repealing of DADT a national ban on openly LGBTQ military serving our country and putting their lives on the line for our freedom and safety. They openly questioned, perhaps Barack's largest weapon- the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Bringing to end a very painful memory we all felt on 9/11. It seemed like Barack's "Change" motto was a one term possibility...but then, on November 6, 2012 as the Electoral College numbers came in- and the world literally held it's breath (I know I did) - Barack Obama won a 2nd term as the President of the United States of America *Hits Dougie* I cried, I screamed, I thank God and I saw that we did it!
                                                                      This was me
gif courtesy of  http://www.awesomelyluvvie.com 
We knew this road was not easy, and some of the decision's he made may have not been one's I personally agree with. In fact, I criticize him often, but unlike the GOP and their constituents, I saw that he was trying- and his policy (there is more than enough for all of us) spoke louder and more firmly to me than one of a party whose policies and comments left me feeling like unless my income exceeded 6 figures, I like, 47% of America- was unimportant. As I watched the Inauguration from my laptop, dressed in pajamas and alone in a country where 1.3 billion people live in a Communist society I felt so thankful and proud. I walked the campus with a smile because no matter where I was on earth-I can gladly say I am American. History had been repeated!  MLK, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and countless others whose name we will never know- smiled down on us and I felt like My President, Our President had given me hope that no matter where you're from, who you love, or what you believe in, change is possible-change is good and change is happening NOW. Congratulations Mr. President!

Look at Michelle's Coat- TOO Fly













2 comments:

  1. There is definitely something special about watching it abroad...I was in France the first time and I damn-near did back flips. This time around, watching from Cameroon was even greater because I was surrounded by non-Americans who appreciated his victory almost as much as myself. And let me just add that I totally did the running man (and the cabbage-patch), lol.

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  2. To watch that abroad, I'm sure felt good. To witness the reaction of others watching as well. That was an amazing moment in our nation's history.

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