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My grandfather is 12 years old. He is the illegitimate son of a wealthy, white plantation owner and a black house servant. His father passes away, and his will indicates that the plantation shall go to his only son. But my grandfather is black, and his white half-siblings take their claim to court. The court does not grant the illegitimate, half-breed child his rightful home.
My mother is 18 years old. She is standing before the Dean of the School of Engineering where she has applied. She wants to be a draftsman. She’s smart; her grades are good. She’s skilled at what she does. “Quite frankly, Miss, I already have two women in my department, and I am trying have them thrown out. I am disinclined to accept another woman into this school.” My mother walks away, ashamed of her hips, her breasts, her uterus, of being female.
My stepfather is 46 years old. He is a successful Los Angeles lawyer with his own firm and impressive client portfolio. He is trying to buy a new home for his new wife and three children. The neighborhood is upscale, conservative, in a good school district. His initial application is approved. Then the homeowners, and the neighbors, meet him, with his dark, black skin. And suddenly the house is not available. This neighborhood is not for him. Black skin does not go with their carefully manicured lawns.
I am 11 years old. I am watching Dangerous Liaisons. I am enthralled by Glenn Close in her fabulous makeup and beautiful period clothing. When I grow up, I want to be an actress like Glenn Close and wear such fabulous outfits. But I look at my brown skin, and I remember that I cannot play a French aristocrat. I will have to settle for a Creole maidservant, like Thandie Newton in Interview with the Vampire. Hollywood doesn’t make beautiful movies about people who look like me.
My son is 6 years old. He is watching Barack Obama’s acceptance speech. He is watching his mother cry, but he doesn’t understand why she is crying. He watches his father, who is white, come into the room and embrace his mother. He hears his father say, “On behalf of my people, I congratulate your people.” He doesn’t know what that means, or why his mother says “Thank you.” He is watching Barack Obama, and watching the crowds, and he wants to be President of the United States some day. And though he is black, though he is descended from a long line of black mothers and fathers, today we know that my son can.
Today we have done right by my people, and by my son, America. Now we need to do right by our daughters. Let’s keep taking the bricks down. One block at a time.
God bless America.
November 5th, 2008
That was beautiful. Thank you!
November 5th, 2008
If voting for a black president supposedly makes the past wrongs right, you indeed have a shallow view of historical events and of the modern era.
I personally didn’t vote for Obama because his policies are socialistic in nature, and I wouldn’t have voted if he was the whitest person on the face of this earth.
But voting for someone based on race because it supposedly starts to right the wrongs of the past, is ignorant, wrong and misguided. And if that view is what you are teaching your son, you are doing him a disservice.
Rather you should be teaching your son how to value others just as they are without prejudice.
November 5th, 2008
I think it’s silly to assume that anyone thinks this election rights past wrongs.
It’s sillier to suggest that this victory is meaningless to the black community.
It’s silliest to assume I voted for Obama becuase he’s black. Did my post say anything about that? *double checks* Nope.
November 5th, 2008
That was a beautiful post, and I agree with you.
It’s such an amazing time to be a part of history, and I am just blown away by it all. The sense of pride I felt at my polling place on yesterday, seeing the turnout, and all the people who were voting for the first time, and who were desperately hoping for and believing in change — it’s just amazing.
November 5th, 2008
to David W. : i think the point is, being black didn’t *keep* him from the presidency.
November 5th, 2008
“to David W. : i think the point is, being black didn’t *keep* him from the presidency.”
*claps*
It was such a beautiful affirmation of the truth that in America, anyone can achieve.
November 5th, 2008
Beautiful and moving!! Thank you for sharing this!
November 5th, 2008
I am white, have been fairly fortunate with the privileges of life, live in the Southern Hemisphere, but I cried when this history making event happened.
I don’t know if Obama can bring about all the changes America so desperately needed; but the most important change has happened. Anyone, no matter the color of their skin or their socio-economic background need put their dreams on the back-burner. If you believe, you can achieve.
November 5th, 2008
Yes, Anja!
November 5th, 2008
Thank you for writing this beautiful post.
November 5th, 2008
This is beautiful. And I am overjoyed for all of us!
November 6th, 2008
That was fabulous! Heres sending love and blessings to the new hope of America.
blessed be-Sali
November 6th, 2008
Very moving, thank you. I’m a white British guy who, like so many world-wide, watched this election with bated breath and cried tears of joy and relief as the results came in. My son is six years old too and his mother is black Guyanese. Regardless of Obama’s success as President, the fact that the people of the USA voted as they did sends a wonderful message of hope after so many years of despair. Many thanks and congratulations to our American cousins, from all three of us.
November 6th, 2008
Your post brought tears to my eyes. But it seems that is happening frequently this week. I have never felt so proud to be an American. To see so many young people engaged in the process of voting was absolutely amazing.
I think of the last time I felt that the country was united this way and it was the weeks after Sept. 11th. The difference this time is we are united by love and hope, not fear. This is truly a turning point for America and the world.
And though I hesitate to put labels on myself or others, I like your husband say “on behalf of my people, I honor and congratulate your people.” It has been a long time coming!
And to the daughters of America, it is time to stand up and feel that beauty and power within you. Know that it is different from the power a man exudes, but no less powerful!
Love and blessings!
November 6th, 2008
@Martin: Thank you :)The comment means a lot.
@Kim: It has been a long time coming, hasn’t it? Yesterday I would see pictures of the Obama family and I would think to myself, “My God, there’s going to be a black family in the White House.” It’s so surreal; it feels like a dream.
November 6th, 2008
I think it’s beautiful that a country that is widely viewed as quite racist around the world can prove people wrong.
Though as European I do find it quite strange that people in America seem to see the term socialist in such a bad light, when in European politics, even here in Britain which sees itself as an American ally, it is seen a positive trait in a politician, and have always wondered why this is?
November 6th, 2008
@Kevin: I’ve heard many EUropeans express dismay at our political system. My Swedish friend tells me both our parties would be considered right-wing in her country and she doesn’t understand what the big deal is.
I guess Americans just really love their capitalism. *shrug* I really don’t know. I don’t know enough about the economic and political history of America to answer that. But it certainly does make one think.
November 25th, 2008
I am so happy that all our children can be told “Yes, you can.”
O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath–
America will be!