Dreams Come True

(peep how the family is all color-coordinated!)

YES WE DID!!! A cynic like me is proud of the USA! I'm so happy and I burst out crying with my co-workers here in Guatemala. I know some of them think I'm crazy but this is history and an achievement that means so much to my generation, my mom's generation, my grandma's generation, and my goddaughters (both of them-one is 5 and one is 18) generations. And don't forget the hip-hop generation too! I saw so many pictures of our elders voting...many traveling for miles and waiting for hours to cast their vote for the first Black (and biracial might I add...big up, Swirls represent!!!) president. It literally brought tears to my eyes all day long. I'm such a hard ass too...I hate crying but tears of joy are kinda becoming :)

I'm a little sad to have missed the celebrations in NYC and especially in my neighborhood, Harlem, but I know that the work I'm doing here in preparation for work that can be done in this new administration. I'm working on sexual and reproductive health rights for women, and while I'm here specifically on an international campaign against violence against women. Bush never gave a shit about the people, especially health, women, sexual and reproductive rights, education...do I need to elaborate? I'm not because we all lived this nightmare of 8 long ass years that never seemed to end.

It's a new day...an inspiration to all of us. This is proof that dreams do come true, especially when you work hard, focus, push, believe and hope. I am happy to be a part of this historical achievement, and I know that it is something that our children and grandchildren will be learning about and asking about. The tide has turned and it's a time to celebrate but to also be realistic and maintain this momentum and support once the real work begins. But right now, fuck the pundits and all the jibber jabber...raise a glass, light one up, do whatever makes you feel good and celebrate this victory. It is ours and the people have spoken!!!

Stupid youtube and Universal won't let me embed this video, but this is all I can hear in my head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqn5f2ISnvo

Oh and my girl repped Mt. Vernon on New York's CBS News, click the title...I know you don't want no internet stardom, but I see you, goddess! ;-)

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Black Love at the DNC

Michelle delivered a solid speech last night at the Democratic National Convention; I'm sure pissing off the G.O.P. She did what she had to do by invoking her love of this country, emphasizing her humble roots and work in the community. Even graciously thanked Hillary Clinton for putting "18 million cracks in the glass ceiling" even as she tries to slice the Obama with shards from that glass, but I digress. She has to convince the (stupid) American public that she's not an elitist, overpowering, baby mama. She did the damn thing; Cindy ain't got shit on her!

My favorite part actually came after when their daughters joined Mama Michelle on stage to greet their dad via conference from some family's home in Kansas City, Missouri. The little one, Sasha, 7, was like "Hi Gerardo Family!" Children are genuine in their excitement and expression; their love for their Dad (and Mom of course) is something that you can't fake or recreate. Not only were the girls sweet, props to Barack who said, "You see why I kept asking this woman out and wouldn't take 'No' for an answer even though she kept turning me down. You want a persistent president." (okay, it's paraphrased but it was smooth)

Point being I enjoy seeing a couple who loves each other so much and truly supports one another, especially a Black couple. More importantly, they aren't afraid to share that with the world. I halfway resent the constant comparisons to the Huxtables, but unfortunately, we have only had that fictional family as a the most solid reference point of Black love on TV and media. Whatever you call them, they provide necessary role models for young men and women of color that we can love and support each other in this world. I believe they personify compromise. Though some of his political decisions have been unsettling; the Obamas give me hope. Hope that you (I) can find pure, true, fearless, mutual love and let myself go enough to express it. If you believe it, it will come.

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