Jackson Free Press

Daily Kos contributor Kenyada wrote a creative diary entry about what Obama's inaugural ball could be like if those who went on before him could celebrate with him:

Guests began arriving early. There are no place cards and no name tags. Everyone knows everyone else here. Now, there's a grand foursome - Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz sharing laughs with Martin and Coretta Scott King. Looks like Hosea Williams refused the limo again, keeping it real. And my goodness; is that Rosa Parks out there on the dance floor with A. Phillip Randolph?

Seated at a nearby table, Frederick Douglass has a captive audience in W.E.B. DuBose and Fannie Lou Hamer, and Medgar Evers has just joined them. Marian Anderson was asked to sing tonight, but she only agreed to do it if accompanied by Marvin Gaye, John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix. Look, there's Harriet Tubman. No one knows how she arrived, but there she is. And my guess is that, when the time comes, no one will see her leave.

There's Jackie Robinson swiftly making his way through the hall as the crowd parts like the Red Sea to the unmistakable sound of applause. "Run, Jackie, run!" Along the way he is embraced by Jessie Owens. Three beautiful young women arrive with their escorts – Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney. Ms. Viola Liuzzo flew in from Michigan, exclaiming, "I could not miss this."

Richard Pryor promised to be on his best behavior. "But I can't make any guarantees for Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley," he chuckled. Joe Louis just faked a quick jab to the chin of Jack Johnson, who smiled broadly while slipping it. We saw Billy Eckstine and Nat King Cole greet Luther Van Dross. James Brown and Josh Gibson stopped at Walter Payton's table to say hello. [...]

The President and Mrs. Obama looked out across the enormous ballroom at all the historic faces. Very many smiles, precious few dry eyes.
Someone shouted out, "You did it! You did it!" And Obama replied, "No sir, you did it; you all – each and every one of you – did it. Your guidance and encouragement; your hard work and perseverance..." Obama paused, perhaps holding back a tear.

"I look at your faces - your beautiful faces - and I am reminded that The White House was built by faces that looked just like yours. On October 3, 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was laid, and the foundations and main residence of The White House were built mostly by both enslaved and free African Americans and paid Europeans. In fact, most of the other construction work was performed by immigrants, many of whom had not yet become citizens. Much of the brick and plaster work was performed by Irish and Italian immigrants. The sandstone walls were built by Scottish immigrants. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that The White House is, ultimately, The People's House, with each President serving as its steward. Since 1792 The People have trimmed its hedges, mowed its lawn, stood guard at the gate, cooked meals in the kitchen, and scrubbed its toilet bowls. But 216 years later, The People are taking it back!

"Today, Michelle and I usher in a new era. But while we and our family look toward the future with so much hope, we know that we must also acknowledge fully this milestone in our journey. We want to thank each and every one of you for all you have done to make this day possible. I stand here before you, humbled and in awe of your accomplishments and sacrifice, and I will dedicate my Presidency, in your honor, to the principles of peace, liberty and freedom.

If it ever appears that I'm forgetting that, I know I can count on you to remind me." Then he pointed to me near the stage... "Kenyada, isn't it time for you to wake up for work? Isn't it time for all of us to wake up and get to work?"

Suddenly I awake and sit up in bed with a knowing smile. My wife stirs and sleepily asks if I'm OK. "I've never been better," I replied, "Never better. It's gonna be a good day."

Please read the whole thing. I'm amazed that this guy wrote all of this almost a week before Obama won the election. Such vision, such power. If only this could happen for real.

Previous Comments

ID

140652

Comment

This is fantastic, LW. As I read it a knat got in both my eyes and caused water to run. It took a knat for I'm far too macho or manly to let my eyes catch water purposely or intentionally no matter how amazing this reading was.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-11-13T12:50:25-06:00

ID

140653

Comment

You see, LW, the people mentioned in that column and many more not mentioned make it so easy for someone like me to be proud of our ancestry. Look at those great achievements in the face of slavery, James Crow, Sr, James Crow, Jr, the republican party, and who knows what's next for us to overcome. We have a glorious history despite so many obstacles, a testament to our greatness as a people. No matter our failures or years spent lost in the wilderness.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-11-13T13:06:11-06:00

ID

140657

Comment

Absolutely riveting, L.W. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Author

Kacy

Date

2008-11-13T13:45:31-06:00

ID

140664

Comment

Walt, I know a good way to get rid of gnats: Kleenex. :P You're welcome, Kacy. :)

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-11-13T15:31:44-06:00

ID

140665

Comment

That would make it look like I was crying. I ain't no girly boy and I don't cry. I don't use kleenex. I use my wool sleeves or fingers. Somebody got to be a man else the man loses his divine place on the mountaintop.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-11-13T15:35:16-06:00

ID

140694

Comment

So thoughtful - I enjoyed that. I found myself adding faces and names to the crowd. Like my father-in-law who lived to be 100 and my grandmother who lived to be 96. The struggles of our ancestors made all this possible! WOW. Even a week after the election, I still find myself in awe of what has happened....

Author

lanier77

Date

2008-11-14T11:11:57-06:00

ID

140703

Comment

Thanks for highlighting my essay, Inauguration Ball 2009. It seems to have taken on a life of its own on the Internet and through e-mail attachments. It should be noted that this is the short version of the essay. The original version is included in my new book, Reflections in the Dark Room, due to be released in late January. Thanks again and Best Wishes.

Author

Kenyada

Date

2008-11-14T15:42:56-06:00

ID

140704

Comment

You're so welcome, Kenyada. I would give up 5 to 10 years of my life to be in the room with the people mentioned in your essay, but I know Richard Pryor and I would get thrown out for talking too much trash and making fun of the preceding administration. Richard was a sho nuff nut and some people think I'm crazy too.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-11-14T15:49:44-06:00

ID

140705

Comment

Tru Dat! Well, if you like this version, imagine adding Emmett Till, 4 little girls in Birmingham, Bernie Mac, Lady Day, Ella, Miriam Makeba, Abe Lincoln, Ossie Davis, a group from the New Orleans Superdome, James Baldwin, Zora... and many more. Check out the book, which will be available on Amazon and other online stores. In addition, there will be a new website www.RichardKenyada.com set up to make available autographed copies of both the book and a suitable-for-framing poster of the essay. All of this happened quite by accident, but it makes sense because such recognition of those who came before Obama is long overdue.

Author

Kenyada

Date

2008-11-14T16:16:37-06:00

ID

140706

Comment

You're welcome, Kenyada. I read about your narrative on another Web site and just had to share it here on my blog because I knew the readers would love it and appreciate it. I'll be checking out your Web site. :)

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-11-14T16:23:19-06:00

ID

140707

Comment

Thanks, LW. I really believe we are now entering a new AA cultural renaissance in music, literature and art. Your blog continues to lead the way.

Author

Kenyada

Date

2008-11-14T16:31:01-06:00

ID

140709

Comment

Thanks for the compliment. Keep it real!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-11-14T20:14:15-06:00

ID

143048

Comment

Hello everyone. My new book, Reflections in the Dark Room: The Black Essays is now available at http://www.KenyadaEssays.com and Amazon. Along with the full version of Inauguration Ball 2009, the book also includes essays on the New Politics, the Obama Effect, Prison - Slavery Part 2, Keeping the Love You Make - A Black Man's Guide, Black Privilege, the denial of HIV/AIDS, etc. In other words, this is not another romance novel (not that there's anything wrong with that:-)

Author

Kenyada

Date

2009-01-23T05:26:12-06:00