Today I was a part of history.
Along with millions (billions?) of people around the world, I watched Barack H. Obama officially become the first African American man to lead the free world.
America is great!
I wanted to be a part of history in some way that is decidedly NOT Rachée ( in which I mean I would have missed the whole thing and then kicked myself later). The twin, her hubby and I were going to take the kids with and travel to DC for the festivities. We had a place to crash and long underwear. However we were not lucky enough to win tickets to the inauguration, save a plane full of people (thus garnering an invite) or be related to any of the players. This coupled with the realization that there were going to be millions of people milling about Washington D.C., and the fact that the temp was like 18 degrees meant that I was going to stay local.
Not to worry; The Bee and I will get a taste of history when it’s warmer and less crowded.
My sis, her hubby and I were invited to the Life Center of Eastern Delaware County to watch the events. Let me say now that if people want to see how the trickle down theory works then they ought to head to Upper Darby cuz zer rum not a thing has trickled down. Except a hard time. But I digress.
At the Life Center we were treated to an impromptu, yet moving history lesson from the center’s director, one Jim Shelton (who looks like Dr. Kelso from Scrubs-my celebrity look alike siting for the day). He was quite moving as he shared his history as a man who lived through segregation, reverse integration and calling Blacks “Colored”.Know your history he growled at us. And I agree. I need to know the whos and whys and whats.
Know you history sport!
I must say that before this year I was never a political type. Yes, I vote but it was more along party lines than actually being an informed voter. This past election I found myself glued to the television as I wondered whether a Black man or a woman (hear us roar) were going to be our leader. This was and is better than a soap opera, The Biggest Loser and the aforementioned Scrubs all rolled into one!
The residents of the Life Center were a curious bunch. They heckled Dubya a bit, cheered Obama a lot and all were humbled. It was such a positive joyous day. I even got a bit teary-eyed as I realized that change has come.
We can. We Will. We Did.
Now. As much as I love me some Obama I also feel a bit cautious. I hope people are not looking at him like the Great Black Hope. Pinning every ill in society on him. I feel like we have got give dude some time to get in office before we can expect the changes that need to come.
Uh oh!
Open a window. It’s getting all political in here.
-r
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