Jackson Free Press

First, yesterday was the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington. Whenever I saw clips of his speech, I would wish that I was there to see it, even if it was just live on TV. Of course, that would not have been possible since I was born over eleven years later. Then, in an interesting turn of events, I watched the first black man to become a major-party presidential nominee, Barack Obama, give his acceptance speech on TV last night, on the anniversary of the "I Have a Dream" speech. My heart was beating so fast that I thought my chest was going to pop. Good thing I wasn't there in person - I probably would have fainted. It doesn't matter whether you're red, blue or purple - it was still a historic moment. Regardless of whether he wins or not, I will never forget what I saw because he did the unthinkable.

Then on today, I remember the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina which occurred three years ago and all the people who lost their possessions, their homes, their lives. We still have survivors in FEMA trailers right now, and now we're keeping an eye out for Hurricane Gustav. I wonder how they're dealing with the situation, and I wonder how New Orleans is going to hold up.

Also, today is Michael Jackson's 50th birthday (the same as John McCain's, in fact). Despite his quirks and imperfections, he's a talented man who had a major impact on music as we know it today. He helped blur the line between "black music" and "white music", and his influence can still be seen in some of today's current performers.

I'm so glad that I have stories that I can share with the next generation - stories of triumph and tragedy that they can learn from.

Previous Comments

ID

133715

Comment

I am proud this morning to see Barack Obama achieve a level of political success that Dr. King could only dream of seeing happen.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-08-29T08:03:45-06:00

ID

133717

Comment

Amen, LW. Barack walked out there, smiled and said to the enemy throw me the ball. He knocked it out of Denver. I want him to win too but if he can't beat racism he won't be the first or last one to fail. The speech was the absoulte best I ever heard. I would name my next child Barack Obama if I had one for his brillance and courage under fire at that great moment in time. Indeed, Michael is the king of pop. I have a dream that more Baracks are coming and James Crow must die sooner or later just as Dr. King envisioned and preducted.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-29T08:13:15-06:00

ID

133719

Comment

Game. Set. Match. Over. Aretha Franklin has sung. Cancel the election. It's over. Obama wins! Heeheehee! (My Michael Jackson impersonation of the day)

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-08-29T08:37:42-06:00

ID

133720

Comment

Raise your hand if you have ever owned a leather jacket with zippers all over it. Bonus points if it was red. I wanted one but never got one. I didn't ask my parents because I thought they would think I was nuts. I must admit that when Obama came out, I was saying to myself, Please don't shoot him, please don't shoot him, please don't shoot him... Maybe I should have clicked my heels together, too.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-08-29T08:41:37-06:00

ID

133721

Comment

I agree. Watching Obama last night placed a pleasant weight on both my heart and shoulders. My heart felt heavy and breathless while watching in amazement. My shoulders weighted with the realization that more work must be done. It's not over yet we must keep working to get him elected. www.bookerdaboy.com

Author

bookerdaboy

Date

2008-08-29T08:43:56-06:00

ID

133722

Comment

booker, I took a peek at your blog. Loved the August 27 entry. I'm a BIG Whoopi fan, by the way. I'm going to add you to my blogroll when I get a chance. Here's my other blog.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-08-29T08:51:23-06:00

ID

133723

Comment

Thanks, it's a work in progress. I am going to add yours too. Booker

Author

bookerdaboy

Date

2008-08-29T08:54:14-06:00

ID

133726

Comment

It is being reported McCain has picked Sarah Palin, the female Governor of Alaska. This hit a nerve with me and upped the ante/anty tremendously. We will see where white women and feminists really stand now.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-29T09:07:20-06:00

ID

133727

Comment

I take this to mean that the republicans are saying, no matter our past, overlook it, the cause of race and sex in America ought to be enough to maintain the status quo. We will see. A great chess match is unfolding.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-29T09:09:56-06:00

ID

133728

Comment

Perhaps someone should start a Palin thread. I'd hate to see this one get derailed.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-08-29T09:11:08-06:00

ID

133730

Comment

Walt, that's a move of desperation. He just took away the ability to even bring up "experience"—considering that she would become president in the even that an 70-something-year-old man happened to pass away. So I'll trust we won't hear that word out of his or his supporters' mouths again. Remember, it's not like women flocked to the campaign of Elizabeth Dole. It's not just about being a woman. It's about caring about issues that matter to women. Oh, and on Obama. He. Is. The. Man. Simply amazing. So proud to be an American this morning after that speech last night.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-08-29T09:13:09-06:00

ID

133731

Comment

OK, Jeff, will do. Give me a second.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-08-29T09:14:17-06:00

ID

133733

Comment

Yes, Obama nailed it! What a speaker!!! He inspires lot of folks. He is such a rock star, he has to play arenas now. Wow!!!

Author

Tre

Date

2008-08-29T09:17:24-06:00

ID

133737

Comment

Gentlemen, Hillary's actual feminist supporters aren't going to go for a pro-life, pro-Alaskan drilling woman. The media have snookered McCain into believing that all those so-called "Hillary supporters" calling C-SPAN to bash Obama because they wanted her in there are actually voters for him to pull in. Methinks the joke's on the GOP on this particular talk-radio talking point. Meantime, go talk about Palin on the new thread about her. This is going to be fun. I'm breathing easier today.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-08-29T09:30:48-06:00

ID

133754

Comment

I hear you Baquan.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-29T09:55:57-06:00

ID

133808

Comment

I hope that people will vote on issues not personal choices. Women who want abortions will always get them legal or not. People who vote on race will also continue. What about our children's future and the future of this country. do you really want 4 more years of this mess we are in now?

Author

jada

Date

2008-08-29T13:08:17-06:00