Well Familia,

What is there to say?   It still hasn’t quite sunk in for me yet.  My mind knows well and good that our next president will be Barack Obama.  Logically I understand what went down last night.  At the same time it still seems surreal.  So much so that I didn’t have quite the emotional reaction I thought I would.  It was there at the tip of my spirit, but it couldn’t break through because it’s so amazing. 

I didn’t think I would have a lot to say today.  So much is being said already.  But I will document some thoughts just so I can remember how I felt today and what crossed my mind last night.  In no particular order:

What a convincing victory huh?  It started to get real when he won Pennsylvania.  PENNSYLVANIA!  And that came pretty quickly.  But then you add in Ohio, Michigan, Iowa,Wisconsin and Florida!  FLORIDA?  Missouri and Indiana are close and even if they go for McCain at the end of the day, considering the last few elections and the divide caused by ultra conservatives who touted the three G’s (God, Guns, & Gays) they were unsuccessful in high jacking this election.  Just on a side note; In spite of what the NRA said, President Obama is not going to take your guns from you.

Keys to Victory~

First and foremost to Barack Obama and his campaign staff who fought two vigorous campaigns with a first class dignity not seen before.  When Hillary Clinton was predicting assassination attempts and her supporters vowed to not support him, he remained steady, respectful and smooth.  They never wavered but held steady throughout the fire and brimstone.  There were times many of us including myself wanted to see him be more aggressive.  But that’s why he is president now and not me.  Obama surrounded himself with great people, and was able to keep those people unified and focused on the goal.  That says a lot about what his presidency should be like.  This allowed the fund-raising to be that much easier – and he was able to bankroll the message that he wanted to get to the American public with ease.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean for his belief that the Democrats should attempt to campaign significantly in every state instead of focusing on those where liberal interest were favorable. 

The forerunners – Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.  Regardless of what you think about them – (I happen to have great respect) none of this would be possible without their blood sweat and tears.  If Barack were the first face of color America would have seen for the highest office – this doesn’t happen.  I am convinced of that.

Black radio – especially the likes of Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey and Michael Baisden.  Baisden was the most vocal day in and day out in bring the issues to bear and keeping young and old potential voters up to speed.  Joyner was responsible for singer Joe getting registered.  They continuously informed of the facts and we responded. 

YOU the voters who got politically involved and searched the issues as opposed to falling for the okee-doke of scare tactics and Joe The Plumber nonsense.  Many of my white brothers and sisters saw past their trepidations and fears of being led by a black man.  You saw his ideas as favorable to our nation while not ignoring his color.  I imagine for some of you a reverse of the Bradley affect took place.  While you felt you had to tell some friends or family you were voting for McCain, you got in the booth and did what you thought was right at the end of the day.   Much love to whites in the heartland who normally think color first (after all what else were you taught but to trust what looks like you?) and for Hillary’s supporters specifically who buried the hatchet to think “country first.”

Speaking of country first, let me give a shout out to Senator McCain who gave a very gracious speech recognizing the times and taming the boos that marred his campaign previously.  He really did go “country first” and though he didn’t campaign at all to people of color – from his speech last night it makes me think he is more afraid of us than he was merely ignoring us.  I am sure he got some very bad advice too.  He really took this thing for granted similar to Senator Clinton and felt that because he was white he was going to win regardless.  Unfortunate.  Still if he goes back to Maverick-ism, I think he can help work with our new president on some great ideas going forward.

This is not merely a victory for Black America.  It’s a victory for all of America.  This man will be a strong president.  He has a strong woman by his side who will lovingly support her husband while still offering a wisdom that dates back ages from the foundations of strong families.  Michelle Obama will do this nation well and represent us in a way that has never been done before.  Barack and Michelle Obama together are like having two great entities for the price of one to both represent and lead our nation.

Later as it gets closer to the inauguration I will share what I feel we should expect from President Obama.  In what ways we should hold him accountable and how he should hold us accountable.  Its a two way street.  More than ever we have to learn to pull together as a nation and be a part of the solution for all that makes us the nation we think we are.  Again that’s for later. 

For President Obama, there is a lot to do in terms of getting up to speed and transitioning to the White House.  But for today, heck for the rest of the week, and maybe the rest of the month – I just want to celebrate, reflect, and be thankful that I as well as my children are alive to see this day.  Thankful that many of the civil rights leaders of all races got to see this day.  Glad to share this moment with you… fellow Americans.