Yes, I did!!!

I grew up in a democratic family. That is what I knew; so that is what I was. I walked around and proudly proclaimed myself to be a democrat before I knew how to spell the word. That's what my parents were and their beliefs were mine.

Each time I cast my political vote, I did it as a democrat and for democrats. I cannot tell you how many times I've participated in presidential elections. My age would reveal that it could not have been that many. The fact that I can't tell you how many votes I've cast combined with the fact that it could not have been that many tells a story. It tells a story of a young woman that ventured to the polls to make a hollow voice heard. I did not follow the elections nor the candidates, I did no research, hell I barely knew who was on the ballot. All I knew was that I was a democrat and if their name had "democrat" next to it, they were my choice.

Although I still call myself democratic, for the first time, I am proud to say that I voted as an "independent". I voted as an independent woman. I voted independent from the beliefs that I had to support a candidate because he was black. I also abandoned the belief that I had to remain loyal to democrats for democratic sakes. I walked into my polling area empowered with the knowledge that I have gained using a filter that I developed via research, observation and numerous debates.

I am overwhelmed with the outcome and the numerous things it represents. I am proud of the vast movement of people that fought through long lines, rain, broken equipment, and intimidation to cast their vote for change. I am proud of my vote and what it represents for me.

When I "spoke" at the polls, my voice was no longer hollow.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would like to thank the women that run the blogs listed in the sidebar. They may not be aware of the impact their words and work have on many; but I hope and pray that they continue.

Fox's Attacks Against Michelle Obama Are No Longer Tolerated

Hat Tip to SjP of Soujourner's Place

Fox seems to have it in for Michelle Obama as they are constantly found assaulting our potential First Lady. The attacks have no merit and hold no weight.

What is about Michelle's honesty and strength that bring out the donkey in these folks??

The ignorance must come to an end. At FoxAttacks.com a petition to stop the unwarranted and insulting attacks against Michelle Obama is available to be signed.

"FOX must stop injecting racism, prejudice, and fear into our political dialogue. We intend to hold FOX, its advertisers, and its personalities accountable for FOX's attempts to smear the Obamas."

People are always asking me "How can I get involved?". Well, click here to join the chorus of voices that are loudly yelling "Leave Michelle Obama the hell alone!!!"

Color of Change will deliver the signed petition the week of July 13th; so, you don't have much time.

If you haven't been keeping up, view the video below for a preview of the ongoing foolishness:

Your Voice May Be Heard: Developing the Democratic Platform

(Hat Tip to Gina of What About Our Daughters)

It looks like the Democratic Party is ready to listen and they are now soliciting our issues. I don't know if you remember my previous posts "Now What?" and "A Movement Has Begun"; but those particular posts addressed the lack of attention our issues as black women receive on the political floor as well as the lack of urgency we have displayed in putting them there.

Well, now an opportunity is staring us all square in the face. It is time to put our money where our mouth is. From July 19 to July 27, Platform Meetings will be hosted all across America. The purpose of these meetings is to "develop a specific position, recommendation, or policy that [we] believe needs to be addressed" and submit it "directly to the campaign". These submissions will be reviewed and could possibly become a part of the Democratic Platform.

“The platform is an official statement of the Democratic Party’s position on issues. Each statement of policy is called a ‘plank’ in the platform. Traditionally, the process of developing this platform is run by political insiders in Washington. This time we’re doing it differently. These Platform Meetings all across America are the bottoms-up process to generate ideas and information that may be directly incorporated into the platform. Reports from these meetings will be reviewed by the team responsible for the Democratic Platform. Some will be incorporated into the final platform, ratified at the Democratic National Convention.”

Click here for more information on how you can participate in existing Platform Meetings or host your own.

This site eliminates all excuses, by providing you with a list of meeting locations near you as well as step by step instructions, tips, explanations and agendas needed to host your own successful meeting.

It is time to really start thinking about the changes that we would like to see. Let's not continue to be the spectators that sit around and complain about the bad plays that are being made. Get your gear on and get in the game.

I have a feeling that the black blogosphere is going to explode around this topic. Be sure to visit sites like What About Our Daughters and Black Women Vote. They, among MANY other sites (see my "Blog Watch" on the sidebar), are extremely passionate on this topic and provide great insight. The owner of the blog Black Women Vote, SheCodes, is working to form a Black Female Political Action Committee whose primary focus is ". . .to use every political, social and economic weapon to make the improvement of black female experience a top priority in America" while Gina of What About Our Daughters is constantly shedding light on black women issues and has received press credentials to cover the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

It's time to get uncomfortable ladies. Let's make our voices reach beyond our cubicles. Gather your weapons of knowledge, education, resilience, strength and meet on the battlefield. . .

Stay Tuned. . .

Michelle Obama Watch Blog

If you look around, you will probably notice (as most others have) that it seems to be open season on Michelle Obama. There has been much debate on whether or not she should be "fair game". Well, according to the media's comments/labels, inappropriate "art" exhibits, and liberal bloggers I'm guessing they have decided that she is.

Gina of the blog "What About Our Daughters" has created a blog to keep watch of Michelle Obama news (the good, the bad and the ugly) and bring awareness to the situation. She has issued an open invitation to others to maintain this blog. I have volunteered to be one of its contributors.

Be sure to visit Michelle Obama Watch often to stay updated on the situation and let it be known that this will not be accepted.


----------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information regarding Michelle Obama news mentioned here and to learn more about the Michelle Obama Watch blog or how to participate, visit What About Our Daughters.

Until next time. . .

Now What?

Barack has clinched the Democratic nominee. Hillary Clinton has FINALLY conceded. Now what? Do we all just wait for our turn at the polls and blindly select our choice for president? Or do we actually take this opportunity to hold each candidate's feet to the coals and make them actually TALK about something.

To many elections have passed where we allowed well-written speeches and entertaining (and sometimes disturbing) mud-slinging matches to determine our vote. When is the last time a presidential candidate felt the pressure to provide DIRECT answers to questions and concerns that were issued from the community. Other than the universal gas issue, when is the last time you heard a presidential candidate speak, in detail, about how he/she will address YOUR concerns. Have you ever watched debates and press conferences and wondered where in the world the questions were coming from. It seems as though they put a collection of news headlines in a hat and pull them out at random. Now, we all know that not all of our issues are highlighted in the news. I want to know what the candidate plans to do for me and my family. I don't want their "high-level" views. I want them to get down to ground level and make it CLEAR what they plan to do and what they represent. You (the candidates) are asking for my vote. Now, tell me why you should have it.

I'm a single mother with two kids to raise, feed and protect in a world that seems to profit, thrive and turn a blind eye to violence and corruption. Sure, I can teach my children the "right" way to live. I can shield them from becoming desensitized by monitoring what they watch and hear. I can even teach them to live by the golden rules. But, eventually, they have to step out into the real world that the government encourages us to view through rose-colored glasses. Doing this almost feels like raising victims in the world today. Something has got to give and I feel like it is my responsibility to make sure that that "something" is not me.

This election is the perfect opportunity to make a shift in power. The people sitting in office are there to represent US. They are suppose to represent our ideas and needs and then work together to bring them into fruition. There was a time when the government was held accountable for what they did and said. The Civil Rights Movement is a perfect example of this. But today, it seems we have learned to be complacent and adapt to whatever situations they create. We don't seem to question much anymore. We watch the news to learn of the new living standards that have been set for us. Then we go to work and complain about it and go home to make whatever adjustments we need to make to try and survive in it.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired. We need to take our control back. We do have power and that power is not limited to just our vote. It just starts there. There are more new voters on the scene than ever before. There's a whole new group of voices standing in line at the polls. Don't waste your presence there. Make them EARN-YOUR-VOTE. Make them say to the world what they will do for you. This way, you can call the world to the stand as your witness.

So, yes, I am going to take some time to really identify and pinpoint what my issues are as a single-mother, a black woman, and human-being. I will do my research and look for ways to get involved and get those issues out there. If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, I recommend you do the same.

Hillary Sticks Her Foot in Her Mouth ONCE Again

What is going on in the world today? Now, I usually try to steer clear of posting my views on the democratic election because, despite the nominee, I have every intention of voting democratic. However, I MUST make an exception this time. I was doing my usual blog-hopping when I ran into my friend's latest entry and was very disturbed with the most recent comments of Hillary Clinton.

I guess it is true when they say that she is willing to win this election at all costs. Of all the available scenarios to choose from, why would she select the possibility of assassination as her means of winning the democratic nomination? Is this what she is hanging in there for? It's very sad.

I originally, blindly supported Hillary. I couldn't WAIT for her to run. I too bought into her pre-campaign image. However, it did not take long for her to shed her disguise of integrity. I once thought she actually stood for something and would fight for what she believed in. The problem is, no one truly knows what that "something" is. This "something" seems to change with her location and audience. Hillary has made several "blunders" throughout her campaign, but this one takes the cake. Listen to the following clip to hear for yourself:

Unbelievable. . .I'm truly disappointed in who Hillary has shown herself to be. Thank goodness Obama is ahead and is likely to win the nomination; because each time Hillary asks the country to excuse, forgive and/or disregard her and her campaign's ignorance, the more disturbed I become at the idea of our choices boiling down to her or McCain.

Visit www.natashasworld.com to see some very interesting reactions from the media.