Thought of the Day - June 4, 2008 GO OBAMA!!!

The thought of the day today is one of profound and overwhelming JOY and PRIDE in the fact the Sen Barack Obama has secured the Democratic Presidential Nomination.

This is HISTORY!! For the first time in my 27 years, I am witnessing HISTORY!! For America, this is a wonderful step in the right direction. In the words of my sister, "America needs a new brand"! For people of color, this is monumental!! Not only is this man qualified beyond measure for the highest job in the world, he possesses dignity and exudes class in a way that makes me PROUD every time I see him! This is the moment made for the history books. I will not venture to say that as a people, we have ARRIVED, however we are taking a step in the right direction.

Today, all the black boys of America have a new thing to add to the list of "what I want to be when i grow up". Today, something trumps basketball player and rapper. Today, they can add Candidate for President of the United States to that list and it is realistic! I am beaming with pride today, for the fight was well fought and the winner was chosen in a fair manner. That is important for the history as well, because NO ONE can take a win from you that is done honestly and with grace!

Finally, the thought of today has a bit of tension in it. On such a monumental day for America and for African Americans, I am disgusted by the way Hillary Clinton handled her defeat. While Barack was preparing a speech in which he praised her endlessly (some of which she did not deserve), she got on the stage last night and DISRESPECTED Barack, his supporters and people of color in general by not acknowledging the importance of Barack Obama's win. It is funny how she uses his race when its convenient for her, yet last night, in a moment when the importance of his race was clear, she couldn't even step aside for a second and give Barack (and people of color every where) the respect that is due. That is not classy at all. For some reason, even with all the ugliness presented, I thought she would be able to give him his moment to shine. I guess that would be too much like right!


Today is a day for ALL Americans, regardless of race to be proud of the willingness of our country to move in a different direction! In the meantime, I pray for Barack's safety on his road to the White House!

Have a day of CHANGE!!!

~Maliek~