Day 3: The Fear of the Unknown

I intern at a GLBT health center three days per week in Manhattan. On my lunch break, I usually grab a slice of pizza and sit on my favorite bench in a park on 9th Avenue. For some reason, today I couldn't sit still. I wandered around, running a few errands and window shopping at Brooklyn Industries (my new weakness). I walked past a bar on 9th & 19th that was showing Obama's first press conference. Naturally, I went inside and sat down. I watched proudly as he gave a speech and answered questions with poise.

There were only a few other people in the bar, and they were also watching intently. A man walked in, looked at the TV and said, "What's happening? Did he get shot already?" and laughed. While his (ill-humored) comment was meant to be a joke, it struck a nerve inside of me.

Our country is full of such an incredible amound of imbedded racism, as evident by the pre-election foiled assassination plan by two skin-heads. According to an international media report, "Obama assassination" is the most searched phrase on Google.com. In addition, the KKK has declared a race war, although they do not necessarily want Obama dead because they claim that would make him a martyr.

Honestly, this all gives me chills. I don't even want to think about it or I might cry.

Obama Wins - Emotional Edition

Almost a year ago, I went to an Obama rally in Hawaii. My uncle is the head of the Obama campaign out there, so he told us to come visit. Obama's sister, Maya, spoke at the rally and was simply fantastic.
Afterwards, she casually walked around the small elementary school auditorium and talked to everyone.
She came up to my aunt and gave her a hug. I figured they knew each other--Oahu is a very small island and my aunt seems to know everyone on it.
Maya then turned to me, hugged me, and said, "Thanks for coming out." I smiled, and she walked away.
My aunt leaned over and said, "She makes you feel like you've known her forever." She had never met Maya before.
Outside, Maya's four year old daughter was picking flowers in a field for her father. For some reason, that's when I subconsciously knew everything would be okay.
Now people are asking, "Where were you when Obama became the next President?"
Well...
I was in Hawaii, a long time ago, hugging his sister and watching his niece pick flowers.
I was there in the beginning, when the odds were against him and he had yet to win over the Democratic party.
I was in the voting booth twelve hours earlier, making sure my voice was heard.
I was smiling as I walked around New York and heard countless people yelling his name as they paraded down 14th street cloaked by the American flag.
I was in a bar full of fabulous gay men when he won Ohio and everyone freaked out.
I was united with my friends and family when my mother called, screaming, "HE WON!" and hung up the phone.
I was crying as he gave his acceptance speech, wowing the nation with his humble demeanor.
I was pinching myself the following morning to make sure I wasn't dreaming.
I was right there, filled with hope for the future, finally proud to call myself an American, and more than happy to call Barack Obama my President.