Obama steals the convention…Michelle that is.
Don’t expect a play by play from me on the Democratic National Convention in Denver. I’ve long understood the convention to be more pomp and circumstance than anything else. I’m, for the most part, not interested in watching the extremely scripted theatrics though I will be popping in every now and then for history’s sake.
I tuned in last night after getting in from church. Kennedy was finishing up his speech which touched many in attendance and impressed the talking heads well enough.
A few other folks got up to speak after him, but the moment everyone was waiting for centered on the presentation of Michelle Obama. And boy did she deliver.
After a video montage of her life and a rickety speech by her brother, Craig (who happens to be the head basketball coach at Oregon State), Michelle stood tall at the podium and began the most important speech of her life.
She was passionate as she talked about her values, her upbringing, and what drives her. The video montage was narrated by her mother who sat in the audience and watched with pride as her daughter wooed delegates to tears and approving headnods. She spoke of her beautiful daughters who afterwards playfully came out to stand on a platform that to them was probably just another stage.
In my estimation, Michelle did what I expected her to do. She gave a heartfelt speech that showed America the type of intelligent grace that a First Lady should have. She opens her mouth and far outshines her husband’s oratorical skill.
I remember back when I was a student at Morgan State when Phylicia Rashad (Claire Huxtable from the Cosby Show) came to speak on campus. The auditorium was packed and students sat on the edge of their chairs hanging on Mrs. Rashad’s every word because as “80’s babies”; she had been our “TV Mom.” Michelle was almost cosby-esque in that sense.
It should come as no surprise then that she is my favorite Obama (of the two grown up ones anyway). Not only do I think she’s a more polished speaker than her husband, but I feel that she’s a more believable one. She arouses a certain sense of familiarity in me - perhaps because all my life my eyes have been trained on beautiful and strong Black women who are the heartbeat of their families and our communities.
While I’m unsure about whether or not my beliefs will allow me to vote for her husband; at the very least Michelle Obama gets a vote of support from me. I sat on my couch saying to myself, “This is the type of woman that our community produces and should be proud of.” Along with other contemporary examples like Jill Carter, Sherrilyn Ifill, Cynthia McKinney, Angela Bassett, Angela Braden, India Arie, Bonnita Spikes, Sunni Patterson, and a host of others - I want every little Black girl in particular to see these women and aspire to be like them.
As she concluded her speech and her daughters ran out from the back to embrace their Momma; Stevie Wonder struck up the band and “Isn’t She Lovely” began blaring out from the convention speakers. Right on, Stevie. Right on.
August 27th, 2008 at 11:50 am
The majority of the credit for the success of the Obama family goes to 25 years of love and careful grooming by the man that the Obama’s turned their backs upon, the Wright Reverend/Jeremiah Wright!
Clearly the Wright Reverend did a yeomans job with the Obama family just as he did with his other parishioners. The Wright Reverend is the unsong hero and deserves credit whether or not the Obama’s prevail!
August 27th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
You’re not sure if your beliefs will permit you to vote for Obama?
What beliefs could you possibly hold that would permit you to vote for McCain?
A ‘war hero’ who dropped bombs on civilians?
A Senator who supported and still supports the war in Iraq?
An economist who can’t count to seven.
A pillar of character who is hot and vile in temper.
Not withstanding who the opposition is, what insanity would permit you to vote for McCain?
August 28th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Hi Gordon and thanks for the comment.
I guess I should clarify a bit about what beliefs have me hesitating on supporting a Barack Obama presidency. For one, despite his repeatedly stated opposition to the war in Iraq, Sen. Obama has repeatedly voted in favor of war funding. Here’s a snippet from his own senatorial website:
Sen. Obama has voted in favor of $300 billion plus in war funding since entering the Senate in 2005. [SOURCE: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/03/22/obama_defends_votes_in_favor_of_iraq_funding/
In a nation that has a military budget that is almost as much as the rest of the world's military budget combined; I fear that this nation has disregarded the warning of Dwight Eisenhower who painted a bleak picture of what we would become as a nation if we continued to grow our military industrial complex.
With his vote in support of funding for a war that he has professed disagreement with, he continues to nurture one of the elements of what Dr. King called the Triple Evils - war, poverty, and racism.
As a Follower of The Way and a Believer, I feel great angst when thinking about supporting a candidate who could not locate the fortitude to resist allowing his name to be placed alongside John McCain's in backing more money for war.
Also, two months ago Sen. Obama spoke before the American Israeli Political Action Committee (AIPAC). He made some disconcerting statements that point to what types of policies he would champion as the Commander in Chief of this nation. For one he said that the founding of the Jewish State of Israel was "just and necessary." [SOURCE: http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=39525
Rev. C. Solomon wrote a great piece on the historical injustice committed against the Palestinian people that came as a result of the forced creation of the Jewish State. [Source: http://faithinactiononline.com/2008/06/09/guest-commentary-obama-the-new-world-order-by-rev-c-solomon/ ] Also, Jewish Voices for Peace outline positions that Obama holds that do not align well with a social justice and human rights ethic. [SOURCE: http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/publish/article_1096.shtml
For these reasons and more, I am hesitant to support a Barack Obama presidency, however, please don’t presume my support for John McCain. He also holds policy positions and a voting record that doesn’t align with my beliefs.
I find greater alignment with the political platform of the Green Party. If you’ve not heard of this party, you may want to check them out: http://www.gp.org
November 8th, 2008 at 1:45 am
Pastor: This is my first time reading this post. Wow!!! Thank you so much!
Brotha, I’m stunned and humbled by the mention of my name, especially along side those other outstanding women. Again, thank you.