Congratulations to the New First Family!!
Today I Will Celebrate
Words can not describe the sense of pride I feel for my people and my country. On August 4, 2008, while tearfully watching Obama give his first speech as our new President; I became overwhelmed with emotion. Even though I’ve always told my son that with hard work and determination he could be anything he wanted, even President; I never really believed it. But, August 4th changed everything! Not only is Obama the change that our country needs; he also symbolizes the change that our people [African-Americans] have needed for a very long time. He’s the change that Martin Luther King spoke of in his “I Have a Dream” speech on that historical day, August 28, 1963. He’s the change that Nat Turner, Sojurner Truth, Rosa Parks and so many other civil rights activists fought for. He’s the change that Sam Cooke sang about in his infamous song, “I Know a Change is Gonna Come.” BARACK OBAMA IS CHANGE! More importantly, he did not let those who fought and died for this moment, die in vain. His presidency has given African-Americans hope for tomorrow along with a renewed sense of pride in our people and our country. Personally, it has also sparked a change in me. Because of Obama, I feel that I am officially apart of this country and my vote does matter. And, for the first time, I can say, with pride, that I am proud to be an American, an African-American.
And so, today and the days to come is a celebration, and I plan to celebrate this monumental moment! I will celebrate for all of those who never thought they’d live to see this day, and for those who unfortunately didn’t. I will celebrate for Medgar Evers, a civil rights leader, killed by a sniper’s bullet. I will celebrate for Thurgood Marshall, who fought and successfully overturned segregation. I will celebrate for my mother, who lived in Mississippi during the era when she had to enter through the “colored only” door and drink out of the “colored only” fountain. I will celebrate for all the men and women who marched in Selma so that my vote would count. I will celebrate because now I know that no matter how my people were beaten, verbally, physically and mentally; with faith in God and ourselves, we can overcome. Finally, I will celebrate because now I can look at my son and say, with confidence; “with God, hard work and determination, you can be anything you want to be, including President of the United States of America.”
This is a lovely photo of the first family. The color in the background and the smiles on their faces are beautiful. I look forward to seeing more of them and wish them all the luck in the world and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
It is a lovely photo, Sharae! I view it with such adoration and admiration every time I see it. I am so proud of our first family. WE DID IT!