America’s Next Black President

I remember in 2008 when I began this blog, I had no doubts about then Senator Obama’s ability to take the White House. I had a few arguments, and some very serious debates with people who disagreed with me. Many doubted he could win the primary, others were clear they didn’t want him to beat Hilary Clinton.

I heard many Americans, young and elderly, say they believed that someday a black man would be President but never in their lifetime. I remember meeting a gentleman in his mid 70’s, a Republican, at a friends funeral not to long before the 2008 election. This man approached me about Senator Obama, asking what I thought of him. Without hesitation I expressed my confidence in his skill, knowledge, abilities and his capacity to hold the Office of President of the United States. The senior gentleman gave me a strange look, turning his head sideways and squinting as if a foreign object had just landed in both of his eyes. He responded, almost apologetically, explaining how wrong I was, and that although very noble and passionate, I was sadly mistaken and caught up in the hype. He went on to assure me that there was no way this man, Obama would ever win the White House. He believed that Democrats were deceiving themselves and anyone who voted for Senator Obama would be wasting a valuable vote. “All this excitement about Obama is notable, but when the curtains are closed, every sane American will vote for John McCain.”

I smiled, respectfully and said to him “I will make you this promise, … not only will Senator Obama win this election, he will be a two-term President. He will win again in 2012. I handed the gentleman my card and told him to call me with his thoughts when President Obama took office.

I never heard from that man. Maybe he had difficulty with the fact that more white people had the courage to believe in a competent qualified African American than he did. Maybe he was ashamed that he missed the opportunity of his lifetime, to vote for the first Black President of the United States. Maybe he lost my card or just forgot to call me. Whatever the reason, certainly that man’s perspective about America and Americans changed forever in November of 2008.

Others challenged me to change the name of this blog, stating there could never be another “Next” Black President after President Obama, again, they said, not in our lifetime. Again, I emphatically disagree. President Obama will win in 2012, as well he should. He is the best candidate and he has started a great deal of excellent work that the America people need him to complete.

What is most important to me when I write this blog, is that the next generation of politicians and leaders read it. That our youth, see it and are encouraged about politics in America. I want them to read this and have it foster their dreams, whatever they are.

If President Obama did not dream that he could be President, he would not be on Pennsylvania Avenue today. If he did not see himself as a tremendously successful man, with the ability to accomplish any goal, he would not be our President. If we as a country do not give our children the power, the encouragement and the freedom to dream the impossible dream, if we do not encourage them to follow that star, no matter how far, they would expect to merely become America’s Next Black prisoner.

The title of this blog will remain America’ Next Black President. I will feature men and women who, like President Obama have the background, skill and capability of holding any position they desire. I want little black boys and girls to dream and to believe that they can be, do and accomplish anything they want, which includes becoming America’s Next Black President. If they dare to dream, like President Obama did, the dreams will manifest and the entire world will awaken to a new reality; another impossibility made possible. Encourage a child’s dream today and change the world.
Living The Dream,
Cathleen

The Impossible Dream : (Luther Singing A Very Touching Rendition of the Impossible Dream)
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
And to run where
the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
And to love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest

To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause

To be willing to march,
march into hell
For that heavenly cause
And I know
If I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart
Will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be
better for this
That one man, scorned
and covered with scars,
Still strove with his last
ounce of courage

To reach the unreachable,
the unreachable,
The unreachable star
And I’ll always dream
The impossible dream
Yes, and I’ll reach
The unreachable star
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
And to run where
the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
And to love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest

To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause

To be willing to march,
march into hell
For that heavenly cause
And I know
If I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart
Will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be
better for this
That one man, scorned
and covered with scars,
Still strove with his last
ounce of courage

To reach the unreachable,
the unreachable,
The unreachable star
And I’ll always dream
The impossible dream
Yes, and I’ll reach
The unreachable star

I recently sat with my two nieces and watched Tim Burton’s remake of Alice in Wonderland, a whimsical, quirky and somewhat dark interpretation of the original innocence of the classic fairy tale. In one scene of the movie there is a tea party being hosted by the Mad Hatter brilliantly portrayed by Johnny Depp. Flying tea cups along with a bunch of misfits as guests were so entertaining in it’s over the top imitation of a real tea party, that it had us all laughing.   I couldn’t help but think about the current tea parties being magnified and super-sized by the media and led by a string of Mad Hatters.  In noisy attendance are the 99% white and disgruntled activists claiming financial and racial oppression, blindly cheering the Mad Hatters’ call to take back America (I didn’t know it was missing?)  Today, many supporters of the President wrongly feel outnumbered and marginalized as they “duck the flying tea cups”.   As I watched one of the many televised tea party events, something hit me. I recognized that this grass roots call for change by members of the long protected majority race although odd, seemed very familiar.  It dawned on me that it was just a brief two years ago that a very vocal multiracial coalition (“tea party”) was involved in electing President Barack Obama. Back then, we stood exactly where these folks are: fired up, determined and anxious to fight the good fight.  As a matter of fact, “tea party’ type movements have always been a vehicle for political change in modern day America. Let’s recall that the largest, most effective and purest ‘tea party’ was the civil rights movement. The leaders of that most prestigious tea party were at the “Head of the Table”. Their legacy was realized by the nomination of Barack Obama for President on the anniversary of the “I have a dream” speech.  That single event solidified our seat at the ‘tea party’ table. So now, the questions that beg to be asked are: When did an Ideal so noble and dignified in its message become high jacked by the Mad Hatter leaders and their motley crew?  When did we decide to leave the table set and graced by the giants of freedom, and opt instead to drink the ‘kool aid‘of non-participation?Recently, our President challenged us to “guard the change” and we can only do this by taking back our seats at the table.  Like Rosa Parks, we should never have gotten up in the first place. Right now, the stakes could not be higher because we are dangerously close to witnessing the unraveling of not only what was won in 2008, but also many of the gains that were achieved through great sacrifice during the 50‘s and 60‘s. We must never forget that the original ‘Tea party’ participants in the civil rights movement fought for and died for our voices and our children’s voices to be heard.  The ‘tea party’ that fought to elect President Obama continued the tradition of civil rights activism by registering millions of first time voters.  This enthusiasm is crucial in every election cycle, especially in local races. Whether you like your tea ‘strongly brewed’ by volunteering time and finances to democratic candidates or’ lightly brewed’ by simply  registering and turning out to vote, participation by all is essential. Therefore facing the possibility of a major reversal of hard fought gains, and with a solid legacy of effective ‘tea party’ movements to follow, the question is “how do you take your tea?’

Ann V. Norris  is a  freelance political journalist  living in the New York Area.  She can be contacted at annvnorris@yahoo.com  

8:30 PM on all major networks. Tune in!
I’m Just Saying,
Cathleen

WE CAN
VOTE!
WE CAN VOTE
FOR CHANGE
WE STRIVE ON
HOPE
WE ARE
THE PEOPLE
JUST
HAVE TO
GO VOTE!
8YRS OF BUSH ,THEN 4 FROM
MCCAIN
IF YOU DON’T VOTE , YOU CANT COMPLAIN
IF YOUR SILENT VOICE
MEANS MORE OF THE SAME !
WE NEED
A NEW PRESIDENT
THE TIME HAS COME
FOR CHANGE
BECAUSE
JOHN MCCAIN IS
THE SAME OLE SAME
GEORGE W. BUSH ALL OVER AGAIN

YES WE CAN

BARACK OBAMA 2008

FOR CHANGE

copyright2008 WDMII

Don’t take my word for it, John McCain may have been involved in a fatal car crash in 1964 that caused the death of another person. The investigation is being blocked by the US Navy. Why is this relevant after 44 years? Well, it might not be if it had been disclosed or dismissed in the early days of the election. If McCain was comfortable attacking his opponent for events that happened when he was 8 years old (Obama was 8 when Ayers was involved in terrorist activities).
I think this needs to hit the airwaves, just like everything else does, and allow McCain to address it and allow “my [his] friends” as he calls the American people, to be the judge. .
Check it out for yourself in the Huff Post here.
I’m Just Saying,
Cathleen

Check out the Calypso song and video. Very telling and very nice!

I’m sure you all have heard about the waffle boxes that were sold at an event co-sponsored by Focus on the Family with Obama’s caricature oin the front making him look like and Uncle Tom and Aunt Jemima type…well have a look. Anyway, it is NOT an urban legend it’s all true. A friend forwarded me the apology from Focus on the Family. The apology is poste

If you have not seen the waffle boxes that were sold at an event recently co-sponsored by Focus on the Family, click here. It is true, it was real. They did it. Here is the apology. Thanks to Melanie for forwarding this on. Ms. Harris is a pastor in the Cleveland area who wrote to Focus on the Family asking for an explanation after she heard about the Obama Waffles on “The View.” If you recall, a few weeks ago I wrote about a video that Focus on the Family media director produced asking Christians to Pray for Rain on the night of the Democratici Convention when Obama was to deliver his acceptance speech. Focus on whose family??? Obviously Focus is not focusing on people of color. They need some diversity training and some serious prayer.
I’m Just Saying,
Cathleen

————————————————————–> Comment on recent political event> > > Discussion
Thread>—————————————————————> Response (Ron Hall) - 09/19/2008 08:04 AM> Thanks, Mrs. Harris, for your e-mail. We> appreciate your sharing your concerns about reports> that a product called “Obama Waffles” was available> at the Values Voter Summit.> > We agree that this merchandise was in poor taste. > It’s important to note that this item was sold by a> vendor and was not specifically approved by the> organizers of this event. When FRC Action, the> primary sponsor of this gathering, became aware of> this content, they asked the exhibitors to dismantle> their display and remove their materials. As the> primary conference sponsor, FRC Action accepted the> responsibility of approving vendors in advance and> has apologized for its failure to adequately perform> this
task.> > Again, thanks for writing. Your willingness to come> directly to us with your reservations and to allow> us to address this matter means a great deal. Grace> and peace to you!> > Ron Hall> Focus on the Family Action> >

Customer - 09/18/2008 10:35 AM>
I recently heard about an event co-sponsored by> Focus on the Family w/another organization, where> Sen. Barack Obama’s image was used on a Waffle Box.> The back of the box depicted him w/a turban on his> head and rap lyrics on the box. These boxes were> apparently being sold at the event.> > If this is true, I am outraged as a Christian! I> would expect our conservative christian> organizations to be above the tactics used by other> political bodies.> I would expect that though you may not agree with> and/or support Sen. Obama’s views
or platform, that> as citizens we would vote w/our feet verses racially> stereotyping the person.> > I have been a supporter of Focus on the Family> radio, conferences, book purchases etc. . . I am> extremely disappointed and ashamed that your> organization would even partner with another group> who would allow this to happen.> > If this is not true, please correct me and explain,> as the media has already shown the pictures of the> waffle box (”The View “, 9/18/08), and a hot topic> for discussion.> > Really disappointed- Mrs. Harris in Ohio> > Auto-Response - 09/18/2008 10:35 AM> Focus on the Family> > >

Kilpatrick sentenced and resigns all becuase of sex, lies and text messaging. To check out the new mayor click here.

This is Your Nation on White Privilege

By Tim Wise

9/13/08

For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.

White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.

White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fucking redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you’ll “kick their fucking ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.

White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some course work at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.

White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don’t all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you’re “untested.”

White privilege is being able to say that you support the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance because “if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for me,” and not be immediately disqualified from holding office–since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the “under God” part wasn’t added until the 1950s–while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school, requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.

White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.

White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto is “Alaska first,” and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you’re black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she’s being disrespectful.

White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do — like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor — and people think you’re being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college and the fact that she lives close to Russia — you’re somehow being mean, or even sexist.

White privilege is being able to convince white women who don’t even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because suddenly your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a “second look.”

White privilege is being able to fire people who didn’t support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.

White privilege is when you can take nearly twenty-four hours to get to a hospital after beginning to leak amniotic fluid, and still be viewed as a great mom whose commitment to her children is unquestionable, and whose “next door neighbor” qualities make her ready to be VP, while if you’re a black candidate for president and you let your children be interviewed for a few seconds on TV, you’re irresponsibly exploiting them.

White privilege is being able to give a 36 minute speech in which you talk about lipstick and make fun of your opponent, while laying out no substantive policy positions on any issue at all, and still manage to be considered a legitimate candidate, while a black person who gives an hour speech the week before, in which he lays out specific policy proposals on several issues, is still criticized for being too vague about what he would do if elected.

White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God’s punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone ca n still think you’re just a good church-going Christian, but if you’re black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you’re an extremist who probably hates America.

White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a “trick question,” while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O’Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.

White privilege is being able to go to a prestigious prep school, then to Yale and then Harvard Business school, and yet, still be seen as just an average guy (George W. Bush) while being black, going to a prestigious prep school, then Occidental College, then Columbia, and then to Harvard Law, makes you “uppity,” and a snob who probably looks down on regular folks.

White privilege is being able to graduate near the bottom of your college class (McCain), or graduate with a C average from Yale (W.) and that’s OK, and you’re cut out to be president, but if you’re black and you graduate near the top of your class from Harvard Law, you can’t be trusted to make good decisions in office.

White privilege is being able to dump your first wife after she’s disfigured in a car crash so you can take up with a multi-millionaire beauty queen (who you go on to call the c-word in public) and still be thought of as a man of strong family values, while if you’re black and married for nearly twenty years to the same woman, your family is viewed as un-American and your gestures of affection for each other are called “terrorist fist bumps”

White privilege is being able to sing a song about bombing Iran and still be viewed as a sober and rational statesman, with the maturity to be president, while being black and suggesting that the U.S. should speak with other nations, even when we have disagreements with them, makes you “dangerously naive and immature.”

White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism and an absent father is apparently among the “lesser adversities” faced by other politicians, as Sarah Palin explained in her convention speech.

And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren’t sure about that whole “change” thing. Ya know, it’s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.

White privilege is, in short, the problem.