A Change Is Gonna Come...

Is it really???!!!

Well, I am finally coming off my hiatus! I have taken some time off from blogging to volunteer with Obama Dallas to ensure a victory, to celebrate my 30th birthday, to volunteer my time with some local non profits and to diligently serve my community through my service on the Park Board.

I have also taken time to do some traveling the last few months and my time away proved to provide many eye opening experiences. (I'll blog about that next week)...remind me :)

I was away from the city last week to support my college in a gridiron battle with our biggest rival, Bethune Cookman College (BCC). FAMU won the game and more importantly won the battle of the bands (Halftime show) hands down! And rightfully so, the Marching 100 (who now stand over 400 people strong) were tapped weeks ago to perform for the historical inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama.

More importantly, while I was away, the life of a wonderful woman was celebrated on the same day that I was celebrating a win for FAMU. I briefly heard the news story the week before I left of a young lady that was gunned down in her car, minutes from my home, as she drove to work early one morning. However, I did not realize that I knew this young woman until I read Mike D's blog posts today. Wyshina Harris was a sweet and caring woman that I was blessed to cross paths with through her work with an after school program and my service as the District 4 park board representative. The after school program operated out of Turner Courts in sunny South Dallas where I was afforded the opportunity to attend high school and the ladies that worked that program really made a difference in the students lives and the community around them. Wyshina invited me over to speak for career day last Spring and I will never forget her son's questions of me. She also made sure that the students properly greeted me each time that I visited. She was a class act! It pains my heart that something this tragic would take her from her family and friends and strip her from changing the futures of the many kids that she would go on to work with. God makes no mistakes and I am made all the better to have crossed paths with her! You can read about Wyshina Harris here and here. I am still a little jaded about this news, yet another senseless crime in the Grove and in this City! If you choose to donate to her memorial fund, please know that it will make a difference in the lives of others and keep your ears and eyes open..if you have any information about this crime, please report it!

Is a change coming? I certainly think so, but it starts with each of us making strides and taking steps to make changes..life altering and life sustaining changes...

As recorded by Sam Cooke in December of 1963, below is an excerpt of "A Change is Gonna Come":

Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees

Ohhhhhhhhh.....

There been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

Many believe that change has come with the election of Barack Obama as the 1st African American President of the United States of America. But I submit to you that change has come and will continue to come as we all continue to do our part to effect change around us!

President-Elect Obama said it best on the night of November 4th, 2008...
"This victory alone is not the change we seek, it is only the chance for us to make that change and that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were..it can't happen without you..without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice..so let us summon a new spirit..where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.."

I am and I will continue to do my part...

LET'S GO TO WORK!

The Simple Things..and not so simple things...

After a long and challenging day...and after a lllooonnnggg game of Uno with my nephew, he came up behind me tonight and said, "I wanna do something I haven't done in a long time"..and I was half working on the computer and half listening to him. Then he asked me to turn around and look and he gave me a great big hug! I melted...then he followed up with an "oh I forgot something else" and gave me a kiss!


The simple pleasures and joys of life! And it came at just the right time! The innocence of children..thanks Kev! AAAHHHHHHH!!!! :)

Now on to the not so simple things...


TOMORROW IS ALMOST HERE AND IT WILL BE ELECTION DAY IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS!


If you have not voted, PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU to go VOTE tomorrow! The polls are open from 7am until 7pm.

For those of us that handled our business during early voting, PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU to return to your precinct polling location to get your CAUCUS on tomorrow at 7pm!


You can call 866-675-2008, ext. 4 or go to http://www.dalcoelctions.org/ to get the information you need on where your voting/ caucus location is.


The Texas Two Step has been in place before this primary came about, but never have so many people participated in the primaries election nor have people cared to be as deeply involved in the overall process as they are now and cared to go back to their precinct convention (caucus). Precinct chairs have had to call friends to get delegates chosen in the past because no one cared to show back up after 7pm.


I have been an avid voter since I was of age to vote and a self proclaimed political junkie since before that..and MOST of my friends and some colleagues have NEVER wanted to hear me talk politics (although they listened to me or pretended to listen). So I am beyond elated to see so many of them now participating in the process, educating themselves on how the world of politics functions & becoming engaged in and versed on the issues and so much more!


On March 4, 2008, let us BaRack the Vote and paint the state Blue for Obama!


I had the opportunity to both meet and share in conversation with some good people while in Obama's Dallas Headquarters this past Saturday, amongst the group...the 4th African American Best Actor Academy Award winner (and native Texan) and his lovely wife (who wanted to take my "Hot Chicks Dig Obama" button with her!)...














until tomorrow night...

Let's Go To Work!

I've NEVER been more proud to be a leftie...

In case you didn't notice... Barack is also a leftie and makes me proud to know that the intelligent people are lefties! :) It is okay for me to be proud of that fact, isn't it?

Well, I went to Obama's rally at the Reunion Arena last week and words can not describe the electricity in that place and even flowing outside of the arena! There were young children in tow, teenagers, college students, young adults, middle aged adults and the seasoned saints were in tha house!!

Obama spoke of hope and his plans for change and was inspiring to me (both for the now and as it relates to my future endeavors) to say the least. I don't understand the critics that say he is all air and puff and contains no substance....hhmmmm..haters maybe?

I also had the pleasure to attend his Town Hall meeting yesterday afternoon in Duncanville. It started out with his usual speech (minus a few new additions)...but things took a turn when he ended his speech earlier than normal and entertained questions from the audience!

This was an exciting time for me because naturally questions were asked AND ANSWERED that had never been dealt with in any of the debates or in any pre-produced campaign materials. Great questions were asked (the highlight for many was when Obama called on a high school student and the volunteers didn't get the mike to him quickly enough, so Obama went to him and gave him his mike- a moment I am sure that the young man will never forget) and it was even more exhilarating to see Obama genuinely answer the questions. And as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Caraway pointed out to me during this period, Obama looked each and every last one of them straight in their eyes as he answered their questions! (No matter how far back they may have been sitting from him) Gotta love a politician that deals with you eye to eye on the issues before them!!

Although I did not necessarily experience the same feeling that ran through the arena last week, it was still a packed house and overflowing people outside that couldn't get in and fired up people ready for TRUE and LASTING change!

As we left the building I took a momentary low as we were approached by Clinton campaign workers! I understand that the crowds for both Hill and Bill in Dallas County can not seem to get out of the hundreds, but I can not believe the unmitigated gall (shout out to Pastor Haynes..lol) of them to be standing right outside the arena doors of the Obama Town Hall meeting! It was disrespectful and pitiful!

That low only lasted a minute, because I was reminded that Obama WILL win Dallas county and their tactics were yet another attempt at bringing Obama and his supporters down!

I concluded my evening with some slammin' fried chicken, catfish and fries at Emerald City on MLK. (who knew!!!)

Obama quickly left the arena headed to catch a flight to Austin as he was due to speak in San Marcos at 9:15 p.m. My lil sis made it to the rally in San Marcos outside at a park and snagged herself a front row seat without waiting in the long line!

Check him out..still in the same suit..guess he doesn't sweat like the baptist preacher preaching several sermons a day! :) (Lil Sis gave this photo the following caption "I LUV this look. Reminiscent of your mother's "I will come down there and snatch..." look." HA!

Tomorrow is the last day of early voting and the polls are open until 7 p.m. Let your voice be heard and please be sure to complete the second part of the Texas Two Step and return to your neighborhood voting location on Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. for the precinct convention and get your caucus on!

Let's Go To Work!!!

Je suis en vacances!!!!

ok..so I just wanted to put my 10 years of French classes (7th grade through college) to use..

But I am on vacation! I've been in Atlanta since last week and have been having a blast..

I came down for the Twins (my college roomies) 30th B-Day celebration..

and I've had the opportunity to visit with old friends, new friends, mentee's and distant family members..

however, while enjoying my time off and away from Dallas, one of my dictators informed me that I need to continue updating my blog. So here goes...

I just read that the early vote numbers continue to set records and I beg of you to continue to go early vote, take your family and friends to go early vote (my grandmother called me Friday to ask me to take her and I sadly told her I was not in town but would take her as soon as I got back!) and PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN THE PRECINCT CONVENTION!

SIDE NOTE: Don't continue to be hoodwinked and led astray by anyone (including any local elected official or state elected official that tells you that you don't need to attend the precinct convention [caucus as you may call it])-

There is a lot of work to be done across this great nation and I want to put one thought on your mind..and this is for my generation and even those younger than I (and even those older than me that are concerned with the now and security for their posterity...

check out the staff for Clinton and take a close look at Obama's staff..both their national staff and their state grassroots/ field directors.

One noticeable difference is that Obama believes in us and has consistently and convincingly hired staff of a younger generation that have fresh and innovative mindsets! I'm excited about that and excited to know that he values the future while paying attention to the past! It's an exciting day and more about that after my siesta and relajación!

Vote for the one that believes in PRO- activeness, PRO- gression, but most importantly vote your conscience!

Let's Go To Work!!!!

Barack in Dallas..FINALLY!

Obama will be in Dallas Wednesday, February 20th, 2008. Hope to see you there!

Join Barack Obama for a special Stand for Change Rally in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday, February 20th.

The event will be free and open to the public.
Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama
Reunion Arena 777 Sports StreetDallas, TX
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Doors Open: 10:30 a.m.- but the event doesn't start until 12:00 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is encouraged.

For security reasons, do not bring bags. No signs or banners permitted.

Also, FYI, parking will be tight and limited and the Arena, so you may want to hit up DART! or get dropped off! :)

.....

Well, as endorsements are coming in daily with the State of Texas positioned in a place of importance. There is a great deal at stake and an important number of delegates to be gained here in the GREAT state of TEXAS! I am still on a high after hearing Barack Obama's speech last night, but more about that later...

Also local elections taking place and local campaigning going on around us for the November election. Pay close attention to how your local elected officials react and respond to certainly all things, but more importantly to this Presidential election. Ask yourself, do they embody the same values as yourself, do they support the same candidate as yourself, do they stand for the same ideas and morals as yourself, do they go against the grain and the desires of the majority of their constituents? I won't continue the path of some of my elders and tear down my people, but I ask you to search yourself...and if your elected official does NOT line up with you, then cast your vote accordingly when they are up for re-election. Or better yet, enter the race yourself!

Until your MINDSET (thanks Obama!) becomes free...

Let's Go To Work!