Our Time has Come.... Part Deux

The evening of November 4th 2008 brought waves of emotion that I am still riding.

After my election party, I headed downtown San Diego to the victory party at the House of Blues. Mary and her son came with me...

Walking downtown you could see that there was something different. People were smiling.. And though it is not unusual for people to smile in San Diego, it is unusual for everyone to have a grin on their face. As I walked, I fist bumped some young black men on the corner.. I said to them "you're next"... why not? I ran into a young black woman who asked for money.. I didn't have much, but I gave her what change I had on me.. She grabbed me and hugged me and said "Things are going to be different now, sister". I believe she was right.

When Mary, Andrew and I got to the HOB the line was around the corner.. we waited a few minutes chatting with folks and swimming in the excitement of the moment. By the time we got to the door, the President Elect was speaking. I had to hear it... so I ran to a glass door, but could not get to other side.. I stood there and watched the speech, crying uncontrollably. I could see young Andrew watching me, but the tears would not stop, so I went with moment, and let it be.

Once the speech was over, the crowd inside dispersed and we were able to find seats. We all got a Stella Artois and settled in to take in the moment, the news pundits and our surroundings. I met a man who sat alone, drinking from a chalice, with flip flops and pedicured red painted, flower adorned toes, wearing a skull cap with fake braids hanging from it and smiling brightly. He came over and chatted a while, telling us how he has been working for the Obama campaign.. that he traveled to Nevada and Texas to sign folks up to vote, detailing what that experience was like...  (And my curiosity peaked as I pictured him in Texas, dressed as he was this evening... interesting interactions indeed!).  

After our braided friend, left our table, we finished our beers and headed back out into the streets to go home. People were still smiling, honking their horns and screaming "Obama"! Mary, and Andrew and I were recapping the evening when stopped at a crosswalk, with a crowd of strangers, one of them jumped into the street, aimed her camera at all of us and said "smile, i want a picture of all of you". We did, acting as if we were all old friends, it was hilarious and joyous and strange. I liked it.

At home, I could not sleep..I just watched the news until exhaustion took me gently into her arms and let me rest. 

The 44th President and first family...

Election Night Text messages

"We did it! Pres. Obama!"

"Girl, Girl, Girl..."

"Can you believe what is happening now?"

"Thanks b 2 God, and God be with Obama!"

"Yafucking hoooo!"

"Did you cry?"

"My heart is beating like I have been running a marathon"

"Maybe this can bring a greater hope to our brothers"

Our Time has Come.... Part 1

"Obama wins Historic US Election" BBC 

"Kenya Family in Party Mode for Obama" Kazakhstan news

I know that many will read this title and believe that, by that statement, I am saying that it is now the time for African Americans... But I really mean is that it is now "OUR" time. Our collective time to breathe..to exhale.  To look forward together to a new future. 

This day was amazing to me from the beginning.

New to my area, I was walking to find my polling place and met one of my neighbors, Maxine, for the first time. When she said she was headed to the polls I asked if I could walk with her. We chatted as we headed further into downtown. Maxine, an older white woman, told me a bit of her personal story... being 10 during the Great Depression, but remembering that it did not seem so bad, because everyone was so poor. How excited she was to vote today, and how her husband chides her for not voting absentee. As the rain fell, our votes cast, we separated into our collective day feeling good. A little apprehensive maybe, but good. Voting somehow does that to you...

"Barack Obama elu presidente: C'est votre victoire" Le Monde

Walking back from the polls in the light rain, I felt a little euphoric... Excited even. People on the street had the same look on their faces as they made their way home or to the voting booth. 

This evening, I drove over to a friend's home for an election party (and I am glad that I did). Marcia had all of the fixins for a good party... lots of food to nibble and a great area to watch the election in. It was an eclectic group of Black women... no men for some reason but Black women seem used to this dynamic. We joked and ate and told stories of our voting experience. We watched with high anticipation those electoral votes rack up on each side..red then blue.. Blue then red.. It was maddening! How could Louisiana be won by McCain anyway? I ask myself. My family is there and I know they are not voting Republican. I tend to forget all those other folk who live there... those not quite ready to let go of their Confederate Flags.

As we sat in the comfort of this space and company, we were prepared for a long night. 

"Obama sweeps to victory, says change has come to America: Japan Today

Then it happened. The CNN screen read: Barack Obama predicted President Elect....

After a few quiet moments of quizzical conversation... we broke out into spontaneous and collective screams.. The "predicted" part was removed from the headline and they told us that Barack Obama was our 44th President. 

My mobile began singing to me incessantly...  My Sister... when I answer she is screaming and we scream together...  My Mother and Father... when I answer they are crying, and I start to cry. They tell me this is an overwhelming experience. Having lived the Jim Crow years of this country and moved into the silent racist years.. none of thought we would live to see the day an African American would take the big desk at the White House.  More tears...

This is an extraordinary day and time to be alive.  Each time I think of it...the impact... the message it sends to each every person of color in this country...each and every young Black male who thinks there are no options... every little girl who can now see herself in that House.., I weep.

Gob Bless America