I'm Touched!

[In It to Win It]

I never thought I would get choked up watching a political convention but I did. That montage for Kamala Harris really made me tear up.

I thought I would share my thoughts as I watched President Obama and Kamala Harris speak last night.

One thing that I always thought about that but I never quite said out loud is that I don't think the right-wing understands the power of representation, the power of seeing someone that belongs to your "group" or someone that looks like you accomplish amazing things! It appears to be that they shrug off every piece of representation that highlights people of color. From my view, one thing they don't seem to understand is that representation for people of color is not about bringing down white people or thinking that PoC are better or magical, it's about lifting up people of color and giving out some inspiration.

I'm a black American. My parents, their parents, and my parents' parents (and their parents) are all black Americans as far as I can tell. I was born in the 90s and I'm in my twenties. I've only had one job before I started my own business. Growing up it was very much a prevalent theme, but implicit, that society will not be on my side because I'm black; that there will be certain things that society will not let you do; that the system is against you.

Growing up, I've had dreams and visions of being successful (however I defined that at the time), climbing the social and economic ladders, and one day buying my parents their own house. However, my dreams and visions were limited because I thought they were just that, dreams and visions. I always thought that I could try but I probably won't be that successful at obtaining those goals because these things just don't happen for black people but I'll give it a shot.

Growing up, watching Bill Cosby (before we knew what we now know), Martin Lawrence, and the Wayans family's many shows on TV didn't make having a television show a distant dream for me. To me, watching them on TV confirmed that I could also do that. I could act; I could write; I could get into cinematography.

Watching Oprah Winfrey becoming black billionaire in America confirmed to me that I could also do that. I could own a movie or TV studio.

Watching Sean Combs, Jay-Z and many others rise to the top of the music industry confirmed that I could also do it. I can't rap or sing but I could learn the business of music.

Watching Barack Obama, with his beautiful black family, be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States confirmed that me that we -my people- can also do it. We could run for any office and make positive change.

By the time I watched Black Panther, it confirmed to me what I already knew, that black people are awesome!

Watching all of this told me that my dream isn't only a dream but I can to bring it to reality. I can go against a system that will do everything in it's power to keep me in the same place and win... and do all that while being black and awesome.

Hopefully, watching Kamala Harris be sworn in as the next Vice President of these United States confirms to all people of color that they can do it too.

[genxlib]

1. This post makes be happy

I do believe it is as important as you describe but I will never truly know it the way you do. As a lilly white guy, I can only understand it in the abstract sense.

Thank you for sharing.

[FM123]

2. And I am touched by your words as well!

[lunatica]

3. This is genuinely uplifting

I am very happy about what’s happening now.

I think if god were into using blinking giant neon arrows to point at his latest writing on the wall about what this election’s main issue is, he’d be saying, “It’s the racism stupid!”

To clarify, I’m a 72 year old white woman and I believe all people are equal and precious. I’m over the Moon that Kamala Harris was chosen as our next Vice President!

[In It to Win It]

4. Thanks! I am over the moon as well.

I will do everything in my power to ensure everyone I can reach is registered to vote so we can make that happen.