The new (old) face of politics

As someone born after the civil rights movement, I have only experienced the thrill and fear that converges during times of real change through the memory of family and friends, books and articles detailing the events, and video footage of great leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John and Bobby Kennedy, and Malcolm X. I have felt awe for the men and women that have stood up against the status quo and outright hatred such as Rosa Parks, The Little Rock Nine, and the SNCC. I have felt rage over stories of atrocities such as the murder of Medgar Evers, the bombing in Birmingham, Ala., and the kidnapping and violent murder of Emmett Till. But never, not once during my lifetime, have ever felt that I was present during a time of true change and witnessed someone that has moved me to "believe" that change is possible.

Until now.

I cannot guarantee that Barack Obama will be a great president. I cannot guarantee that he will make this country better then it is now. But I do know that he has expressed a vision, a vision of change that I have not heard, nor felt in my lifetime. When I listen to Obama, I feel the way that I felt the first time I heard MLK Jr. delivered his famous speeches. It is truly fitting that Barack will be accepting the first African-American presidential nomination to a major party, on the anniversary of MLK's 'I have a Dream' speech. Just as the line "I may not get there with you." seemed prophetic when he stated it in the 'Mountaintop' speech the day before his assassination, the words "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'" seems to speak of this moment, and this day.

We are truly on the precipice of a momentousness occasion; One that I hope we can embrace and own. For me, this election is not just about picking the next president. It is my time to feel that I am truly witnessing what my parents spoke of when they talked about the changes that they observed during their lifetime. It is my time to be excited about politics, my country, and where we can go.

Yes we can!

10 things I learned this week (Dolores Park-ette Edition)

1 - "My cigarettes already lit!"
2 - You can't do this in Cleveland.
3 - "My baby's not fat, he's just big boned."
4 - "It's Sunday afternoon you idiot!"
5 - Entropy in action
6 - "There's potty in my future."
7 - Pumkinbutt
8 - Package-cam
9 - I'm Bob Costas with a beard.
10 - Tickle...

10 things I learned this week

1 - Butt sex? Is that really neccisary?
2 - A new study shows that more young adults are practicing abstinence.
3 - What is wrong with kids these days?
4 - I didn't know it was possible to be aurally Rickrolled.
5 - "I'm happiest in the day time; I love being a daytime drunk."
6 - "Don' gi' himm no muunnie!"
7 - Phelps is an animal!
8 - Lezak is a god!
9 - Lobster wars!!
10 - I'm not a daddy.

10 things I learned this week

1 - Guy Ritchie is back!
2 - "I wanna mark her with my scent..like a Lemur."
3 - I give a good toast.
4 - I'm tired of losing family and friends.
5 - Style = Gay
6 - Zombie Haiku
7 - "If you shit Jesus, I would become religious."
8 - Smack that beav!
9 - "It's no fun if it doesn't taste good."
10 - "I prefer fucking non-picky people."