For now
June 3, 2008 | Filed under: Whoopdie Doo
“What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it”. ~Ezra Pound
I will write a more extensive post in regards to politics come Thursday or Friday but for now I shall leave you with this:
My father is from Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up there during the dead heat of the Civil Rights Movement. It was to the point where he stopped reading Jet magazine because they put a full spread of Emmett Till in their centerfold and then when I saw those photos I didn’t sleep for months because I thought someone might do the same to me*.
Tonight a black man became the presumptive nominee for the presidency from the Democratic party. My father called me and his usually snarky tone in regards to my short game in golf was replaced by tears and seriousness because he honest to God never thought he would ever live to see this day.
*I was eight at the time and I insisted that I see what he looked like when he died and then I did and I cried. IN FRONT OF HIS MOTHER none the less.
LCA says:
I don’t think I’ve commented before, but I adore your blog, and especially, this post.
Thank you.
Katrina says:
I also, have never commented, but I wanted to say yes, me too.
I am babysitting for my God-niece (the granddaughter of my Godmother) this month and so this morning I was standing in my Godmother’s kitchen, talking with my God-sister (my Godmother’s daughter), as she prepared to go to work. I am a white woman, and my Godmother, God-sister, and God-niece are black. Just before my God-sister walked out the door she said that she never ever ever thought that she would live to see a black man as the nominee for a major party for President.
Dagny says:
I called my father who grew up in southwest Georgia and Alabama to see his take. He was ecstatic. Then I spoke to my mother, who is originally from Virginia, tonight. She said that she has been dancing with glee for hours already. Oh, and my parents met when they attended Tuskegee University back in the early 60s. So I think they can relate to your dad in many ways. My mother has said at least a few times, “Are we marking Obama by supporting him?”
Alison says:
Hi, nearly-38-year-old white woman here. I don’t know how to say what I’m feeling about this without coming across as this or that or x or y.
Let me just say that for me, it’s all good, and I’m so happy to have witnessed this and been a part of it.
Suebob says:
Yeah, like Alison, I feel a bit awkward commenting on the subject, but one of the 4,000 reasons I like Obama for president is that I think electing a black man may go a long way to healing some terrible old wounds.
I also think it is great that he is Hawaiian. Because Hawaii? Is cool.
Camels & Chocolate says:
I agree with the above two, but I will say I think it is fucking awesome (sorry Heather’s mom! Didn’t mean to curse in front of you!).
And also that my dad grew up in Birmingham, too. He’s 57 at the end of the year. Maybe they knew each other!
Dave2 says:
And the fact that he would make an amazing president is icing on the cake.
amy says:
I feel so proud today. I loved yr post, the truth, the light…
Torrie says:
Woohoo!
Being a parent has made this even more awesome.
Also, I like you.
ɹǝƃƃolquǝʞoʇ says:
God bless your dad, too!
Kristabella says:
Honestly, I never thought I’d see the day either. I am so excited that he did it!
Jamie says:
Everything I type here comes out sounding very naive and white girl, so I’ll just say this - As an Illinoisan, I am HUGELY proud of Obama and where he comes from - where’s he’s chosen to be educated (Chicago!), make his home (Chicago!), and raise his children (Chicago!). I think he will make an excellent president, and that opinion has everything and nothing to do with the color of his skin.
Em says:
I think my father and your father feel much the same way about this, as evidenced here:
http://flickr.com/photos/emjs/2244466858/
sizzle says:
That was powerful- thanks for sharing that. It lends even more emphasis to what is truly a momentous moment in American history.
I stand for change!
Angella says:
Beautiful, Heather.
I loved this.
Jen says:
I think you might have to be a cold-hearted snake (look out Paula Abdul) to not be excited about this election.
Thanks for sharing this.
Ellen says:
I also have never commented before, but I’m so thrilled with this news. I cannot imagine what this means to someone such as your father. I’m simply happy that you shared.
eddo says:
I’m not even a democrat, but I am multiracial and delighted to see progress. I’d like to see a world where color isn’t an issue at all when it comes to humans. I’ve been following you on twitter for a while now. I get your posts on my phone. This is my first visit to your site.
E. says:
I’m not a democrat either, and I have some fundamental differences with Sen. Obama’s belief in the role of government.
But I believe that all men are equal in the eyes of God, and I am very VERY happy to see proof at last that maybe men are equal in the eyes of the people of the United States. This is something to celebrate, not matter what your political party is.
(Just a note of clarification for the Illinois commenter above, Sen. Obama’s education took him to Harvard Law, which, while a very nice school, is unfortunately not located in Chicago.)
Katie says:
I keep telling my husband last week that we are truly at a turning point in history. A black man and a woman, the front runners for the Democratic presidential nomination. And now Obama *is* the nominee…history truly is being made and how wonderful it must be for your father to witness this after the past he lived through.
Velma says:
Beautiful post, really.
Allie says:
Yes, it’s incredible!
I got to see Obama when he came to my city about a month ago. It was quite exciting, we were about 50 feet from the podium. My friends husband couldn’t understand why we wanted to see a maybe candidate who may be president. We couldn’t understand why not!
Lissa says:
It truly is amazing and I don’t get how some people don’t understand the magnitude of it all! This was a great post.