I'm all choked up...

[jaysunb]

I'm sitting here listening to the roll call vote & the tears won't stop flowing.

When I was born Black & poor over 60 years ago in rural Mississippi there was no way I could have ever even remotely conceived this moment.

Should I not live to see this election through, I and millions of others will forever cherish this day.

Thank you America....

[speedoo]

1. And reading that got me all teared up.

Bless you.

[CatBO]

51. I cried during the nom too & I made my husband watch!

Hubby hates politics, but he votes the right way so I leave him alone.

I paused on C-SPAN as soon as Hillary showed up and made my husband come down and watch with me. "This is history! You make me watch great football plays. For me this is a great play!"

He watched.

It rocked. Thank you Hillary. I loved how it played out.

[gratefultobelib]

146. Same husband here! However, I did get him a t-shirt to wear to the gym!! How about that?

[Sander]

148. 68 Year Old White Guy Tearing Up as Well

As I started watching the roll call, I couldn't first figure out why I seemed so teary. Then I recalled watching the roll calls for Adalai, JFK, and even Ike. And as I started to listen to not only northern states, but southern states as well vote their delegates for a woman and an African-American, I became so choked up that I couldn't respond right away when my wife came in and asked me if the roll call had started yet.

What a night! One that will be remembered for generations to come. What a great way to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary! :headbang: :patriot:

[jaysunb]

190. Happy Anniversary !

:party:

[farmboy]

2. Beautifully stated....may you live to see all of Obama's eight years as President and many more.

[rurallib]

3. Thank you for hanging in ther. Now I am crying also

I never thought I would see this day either.

[TahitiNut]

4. I'm right alongside you, cousin.

:hug: :pals:

[PassingFair]

158. We shoulda hada party!

I would have provided the Kleenex.

[NashVegas]

5. I'm Happy For You

I just wish that certain *white* people on this board and in the "liberal" blogosphere had the decency to not be such assholes and work to play African-descended people against women during this cycle.

peace

[bjobotts]

99. What a thing to say. I'm voting for a good man who just happens to be black.

[bjobotts]

100. I hope his being black is not the reason you're happy he's our nominee.

[RichGirl]

150. I'm not black...and I support Obama....

...because of the person he is in his heart and mind, not his skin color. But, I do think that the fact that he is black is the delicious mocha icing on the cake!!

The previous 43 presidents were white, Christian men. That mold needed to be broken so that we can get the best person for the job.

[fadedrose]

153. If it isn't the reason, I'd be shocked...

The blacks in this country should ALL be happy because one of their race was selected. Black doesn't mean they're not human...they see for the first time that America doesn't hate blacks, as least a good majority of it doesn't . . . and jaysunb is not a racist because he's happy.

Something like a miracle has happened and he's loving it.

[noiretextatique]

164. this is a huge step in american history and african american history

my father, who grew up in the segregated south, did not live to see this moment. i don't think he thought this would happen in my lifetime, but it is. you're damn skippy i am happy to see an articulate, intelligent black man as the democratic nominee. sure beats what we've had since the inception of this country.

[Peacetrain]

6. Iowa here sharing your tears...

[PolNewf]

14. Proud day for the Democratic party

and the people of Iowa who paved the way.

[Peacetrain]

19. Passing Kleenex to PolNewf...

Great day to be a democrat isn't it

[polichick]

7. I'm thrilled to be here celebrating with you!!! This roll call has me all choked up too.

[NanceGreggs]

8. Now you have ALL of us teared-up!

I'm just so happy we can share these tears of absolute joy with each other.

:grouphug:

[OwnedByFerrets]

9. What a beautiful post....ty jaysunb

[11 Bravo]

10. Bless your heart.

This 57 year old, white, ex-combat infantryman, is getting a little misty as well.

[yardwork]

11. I'm so glad to be with you here on DU, sharing this moment.

Thank you.

[monmouth]

12. Oh jaysunb, you make me cry, I am so happy and joyous for you.....n/t

[Booster]

13. It's time.

:hug:

[The empressof all]

15. Damn You

Now you got me blubbering like some old fool.

This convention is making me go through the tissues like no tomorrow.

[Faygo Kid]

16. Congratulations - to all of us. It is indeed an historic moment.

Thank you for this inspiring post.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

17. It kicks ASS, doesn't it?

:D :hi:

When I think back to the 60s when I was a kid, and all the civil rights actions I witnessed, I can't help but think that folks like Rosa and Malcolm and Dr. King and all those involved with the movemnt helped free us all -- blacks from their oppression and whites from their bigotry.

What we are seeing here today is the direct result of that hard fought freedom.

Today, in that convention center in Denver, America ROCKS!! :party:

[Raksha]

97. I wish Rosa and Malcolm X and Dr. King were still around

to see this day...can you imagine what they'd be feeling now?

"We've lost the South for a generation," said LBJ as he signed the Civil Rights Act. And he was right, and I guess it couldn't have happened any other way. But if he were still around, I think he'd say it was worth it.

[PassingFair]

159. How right he was!

It WAS and ALWAYS WILL BE worth fighting
for civil rights and common sense!

Let's hope the south (and a good chunk of
the north)is up to the challenge.

[Parche]

18. We Are All Americans Today

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hi:

[Sparkly]

20. Your post just got me teary!!

:hug:

[clevbot]

21. YES, it is a great day!

[merh]

22. I'm crying with you

:patriot:

[DeepModem Mom]

Thank you, thank you for sharing your thoughts, so eloquently, with us. nt

[LSK]

23. your post brings tears to my eyes

:toast:

[Coexist]

24. THIS ROCKS!

[redwitch]

25. Bless you jaysun!

It is a great, great day! :hugs:

[Cha]

26. I'm there too and I had no idea I'd

be so hyperventilating during all this...my emotions are way over the top!

[jaysunb]

33. And you know it !

:hi:

[jillan]

27. We are all celebrating this historic election and I promise you -

that I will do all I can to get Barack Obama elected in November.


Yes we can!!!

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

28. Thank you for this post

I'm white and 46 (today) and am sitting here crying with you. I am so proud of the Democrats today!

:hug:

[jaysunb]

35. Happy Birthday !

:party:

[PA Democrat]

29. It is indeed a wonderful day!

Thanks for sharing. :hug:

[potone]

30. Now I'm getting weepy, too.

Thank you for your post. Sometimes I feel like giving up on this country, and posts like yours remind why I should not do that.

[asjr]

31. Now I'm going to cry!

[Wheezy]

32. I cannot believe

how choked up I am watching this. The tears are flowing. I'm so surprised that this process is having such a profound effect...but this is history in the making.

[Gregorian]

34. Yep.

I can't stop thinking about it either. This white boy feels the same way. Not from personal experience just as much as empathy.

I'm so glad. Let it continue.

I was thinking last night how dearly my friend, Willis Jackson, could be here. He grew up in Montgomery.

This is the mountain top.

[Blue Diadem]

36. I'm right there with you.

Tears are rolling.

:hug:

[JustAnotherGen]

37. Thank you

Neither could my dad. Black Farmer born over 60 years ago in Alabama.

I'm really happy for you both. For my age group - that shouldn't matter . . . but for yous? ;-) I get it! :hug:

[jaysunb]

45. Fist bump for Dad !

:hi:

[JustAnotherGen]

56. Just talked to him

He just spoke with my 97 year old Great Aunt! :rofl: She's hollering, and yelling, crying and saying - I wish my parents could see THIS. :pals:

ETA: He says? This just made what happened to Emmett Till Right! :pals:

[jaysunb]

120. EmmitTill was murdered 53 years ago today.

Also 45 years to the day of MLK's prophetic speech.

Double fist pump for Dad ( for remembering Emmit) & a shout out to Auntie for getting us here. !

All my love....

[TexasObserver]

38. The Roll Call Vote was absolutely the RIGHT thing to do.

er, left thing to do

you know what I mean!

[theboss]

39. America should thank you

For sticking with it.

[SeattleGirl]

40. Proudly standing with you, jaysunb

I'm 52 and white, but I spent a lot of time in rural Arkansas when I was younger.

I remember the white's only and colored only signs.

I remember the "n" word being tossed about like it was nothing.

I remember the blacks who wouldn't look me in the eye.

I remember not understanding why people with dark skin weren't treated the same as those with lighter skin.

I, too, never thought I would see this day, but Lord, am I thankful I have, and am especially thankful that YOU have!

[BeyondGeography]

41. Here's to living up to the creed every now and then

:toast:

[sellitman]

42. There is hope for the human race on days like these.

You have shouldered the hurt and I as a white have shouldered the embarrassment.

Glad to share this wonderful event with you and all the fine people who made it happen.

[mzmolly]

43. New Hampshire unanimous for OBAMA!

:toast:

[eleny]

44. It's a wonderful day for us all

And this long roll call of all the states keeps it going. I'm enjoying each and every one.

:grouphug: :yourock:

[NEM]

46. I, too was filled with tears....

GOD Bless you jaysunb.

[rufus dog]

47. Congratulations to you and all of America. n/t

[Miss Chybil]

48. It's a great day for Americans and the world! nt

[tekisui]

49. You got me going.

Thank you.

[Bluerthanblue]

50. we're living

this incredible moment together-

:hug:

it seems surreal- but it is SO REAL.

:grouphug:

thank you- thank god- thank __________

HOPE lives.

[VenusRising]

52. I'm crying right along with you.

And I'm a 32 year old middle class white girl. It's a very proud day for all of us. :)

:hug:

[David Zephyr]

53. Cherish the day.

Your post made the day sweeter than it already was. Hold this moment proudly. It's bigger than I think most of us can even imagine. And here's something for you, jaysunb: :hug:

[EFerrari]

54. I can hardly read the thread titles.

Well done, Democrats. So very well done.

[madura]

55. I'm crying too. I will remember this day forever.

I think it just hit me, what this really means
Barack Obama, the first African American president of the united states.

a fresh flower of hope and change, pushing its wya from the layers of corruption and greed and murderous intents of this administration.

[Subdivisions]

57. For you...

For you, jaysumb:

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." - Dr. Martin Luther King

[madmax]

130. As I read the words of Dr. King

I could hear his voice and remember watching him deliver that speech on the mall. Thank you for posting.

:cry: :hug:

[AspenRose]

58. I just called my dad crying, too.

There are no words.

[akbacchus_BC]

59. Gosh, what a lovely and heartwarming post! Am at work ....

and decided to check-in on DU for news about today's Convention and saw your Post. You have me all teary eyed too. As a Canadian, I have followed the Primaries and now the Convention.

It's a wonderful time for all Americans to celebrate and rest assured many people from all over the world are rejoicing with you all.

As a person originally from the Caribbean, I really do share your sentiment. Stock up on those tissues, you will need them for Inauguration Day.

Regards,

[johnfunk]

60. I've never been as proud to be an American as I am today.

The party has nominated the man this nation needs. This is how tectonic change -- needed change -- begins!

[Coexist]

61. it was pretty darn cool.

[ronnykmarshall]

62. God bless you ....

You'll see the election. And we'll toast victory along side of you.

[glitch]

63. This makes me sadder because my 77 year old parents, who worked very hard for this day

didn't live to see it. I console myself with thinking they can see it from another plane.
:hug:

[ailsagirl]

175. I'm sure they can-- really. Bless your heart

:hug:

[glitch]

180. Bless you back, and thank you!

:hug:

[ruggerson]

64. Cheers

it's a great day for our country!

[anitar1]

65. jaysunb, I'm with you. Tears are flowing here and I am

sure they are flowing all over the country. this is a wonderus day for all of us.

[Duppers]

66. you're not the only one

this old white woman found herself crying too.

I was not a Hillary supporter, but she has moved me to tears 2 days in a row now.

The is not the end of racism, but IT IS, FOR CERTAIN, THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF RACISM.

MLK would have been so proud!

Hugs to you.

:hug:

[No Elephants]

67. You'll live to see him finish his two terms, and a lot more. God bless.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

68. thank you, dear heart

[me b zola]

69. I cried during the nomination, now you have me crying again

:grouphug:

[Maureen1322]

70. It has been a very emotional day.

God Bless America.

[LibDemAlways]

71. Hey jaysunb

I met you years ago at an early DU get together at dougdecker's house in the Valley. (Wonder what ever happened to him. He's disappeared from this site.) Anyhow, reading your post made me even prouder to be a Democrat. It's certainly a historic day for this country and speaks volumes about our party!

[jaysunb]

113. Hey Lib

Good to hear from you.

I was looking at the pictures from that gathering ( 2002 ) at Dougs not long ago, and could help wondering where my waist & hair lines went since then. :rofl:
I'm still in touch w/ many of the DUers from that time.Lot's of us work to gether in Democratic activities to this day.

Aint DU grand ?!

:hi:

[myrna minx]

72. jaysunb, it's a beautiful day.

:hug:

[KatyaR]

73. It made me wish my grade-school teacher was still alive.

Mrs. Mack was probably my very first non-white adult friend. She and my mother became colleagues when we integrated schools in my little town in 1967. She was the most amazing woman, and I miss her to this day. She would have been absolutely blow away by that roll call. I felt like I was watching it for her.

Damn, today was good . . . .

[SallyMander]

74. Proud, proud, PROUD to be a Dem today

:hug:

[Jokinomx]

75. We are all in this together my friend.....

Thanks for sharing your personal feelings. As a white man in his fifties I shudder when I hear of our past.

To you I salute for never giving up. The battle is far from over...but with President Obama there to lead.... we can continue to make strides for equality.


:toast:

[defendandprotect]

76. It's about time that "blacks" in America had a good day --- !!!

and the next 8 years!

[Serge A Storms]

77. me to

I'm a white ,57 "son of the south " who is proud not that Barack is black, but that he will be a great President

We got ourselves the best and the brightest (he needs to be to clean up the mess )

[Marrah_G]

78. A historic day, far to long in coming.

I wish I could hug you.

[WillyT]

79. *sniff*

:cry:

:grouphug:

:pals:

[antigop]

80. jaysunb, I never thought I'd see this moment either.

What a great day!

[tallahasseedem]

81. Thank you...

for sharing this. I am more than thankful to be witness to this history.

[BlooInBloo]

82. One small step for the Democratic Party, one giant leap for America, eh?

:)

[doublethink]

83. Oh shit .... now I'm crying .....

way to go ... see what ya started. ....... :hug: LOVE U.

[YvonneCa]

84. Now you made me cry. Remember...

...we'll make it happen, if we work together, for the kids. :patriot:

[Erin Elizabeth]

85. HELL YEAH!!!!!

HELL YEAH AMERICA!!! Historic! My family and I are witnessing this incredibly historic moment and it's just amazing.

[greyghost]

86. This reminded me that witnessing history can be a great thing.

[MadrasT]

87. Aw, shit.

I busted into tears just reading your post. I'm thrilled. This is SO awesome! :pals:

[lonestarnot]

88. Come here and let me give you a

:hug: :grouphug: :woohoo: :bounce:

[jaysunb]

115. Thanks !

:)

[blossomstar]

89. Glory to God! It is a great day for America!

[TayTay]

90. And my daughter, born near Boston 22 years ago, cried too!

She cried because Barack Obama is her dream too!

My daughter sees this as her dream, her time, and Barack Obama is her guy. She would do anything for him.

Stand for a second, just a second my dear friend. Reach your hands out as far as your can get them to go. Pause for a heartbeat and just feel it. I swear to the good Lord, if you just give it a second, I swear, you just touched my daughter's hand. She is, in a sense, your daughter too right now. This is the legacy, this is what it was all about. Reach out and touch it for a second.

Yes. We. Can!

[jaysunb]

116. Dear daughter

the future is yours & I hope we will leave you an enlightened path. :hi:

[ailsagirl]

176. I'm running out of tissues!!

:hug:

[jeff30997]

91. K&R

Bless you jaysunb.It's an Historical event indeed.

[trickyguy]

92. Thanks for sharing that significantly beautiful moment with us at DU. We get choked up too.

O8)

[petwlkr]

93. The job is only half done though

There's no stopping now. We simply can't be content with him just getting the nomination. We mustn't rest till Obama is residing in the White House.

[beyurslf]

94. My best friend--all of 33 years old--said he never thought he would live to see this day.

We all stand behind you proud of what we have accomplished and ready to fight on for our final prize!

[Raksha]

95. I'm so happy for you...

I only wish justice didn't take so damn LONG!!!

[democrank]

96. Bless you, jaysunb.

~PEACE~

[kestrel91316]

98. We (whites) have had so many opportunities to be proud -

(and maybe it's gone to our heads at times) - now it's YOUR chance to be proud and have your day in the sun.

My mom and dad made sure from the time I was little, in the very early 60s, that my sister and I knew that black people were the same as us, had the same rights, could do the same things we could, and were to be treated with as much respect as anybody else. It has grieved me at times to see how many were not taught this by their parents, and we still fight ignorance every day.

We women will have our turn soon enough. Today it's YOUR party! United we stand, divided we fall.

[webDude]

101. God bless you.

[Riverman]

102. And We having been shedding tears all week!

My significant other and I, both from blue-collar, working class white families, me Phila and she Calif, cried when we watch Michelle Obama the other night and how wonderful it is that this woman, this beautiful Afro-American is so able to express basic, real family values that we identify with that we said she ought to be running for office. We cried when Hilary gave he exceptional courageous speech supportinf Obama. She and her elderly mother have been staunch Hilary supporters and has often told me to shut-up about making fun of and criticizing her - I did not like Hilary - sorry, but I felt that her campaign tied her up in ways that did let let her show who she really is a tough, smart and warm, caring woman who could easily run things, get things done and fight to preserve the rights of children and familes, not to mention keep the Supreme Court from turning further to the right. We cried tonight with Joe Biden's story - she said all these Democrats up there seem to be decent people. As an Irish Catholic kid from a large blue-collar family from the Philly inner burbs, we are the people that Joe came from and Obama needs in Pennsylvania. I even cried on Saturday, cried hard actually when I saw Joe Biden and Michelle Obama hu each other so warmly, one human being to an other. I have long fought racism and I as a white guy feel the pain of nation falsely separated from each other over issues of skin tone, I have not lived but have noticed and studied the history of racism and the horrible holocust of slavery and Jim Crow in the USA. I cry with joy as I see a Michelle Obama and a Joe Biden hug warmly as they stand together with her husband, a black man, to take this next step in this improbable journey to take over the government of the United States. WOW! To live to see this is a highlight of my life. I would have been as thrilled to see a woman in that position. That I agree with most, but not all of each of their policies, is tribute to where we are as progressive democrats!

[jaysunb]

107. Great post

:thumbsup:

[FloridaJudy]

103. Looking at those people in the Convention Center

I'm so damned proud I could bust a gut (granny would have said "Kvelled until I plotzed!). All ages, races, religions and sexual orientations coming together to forge a platform that addresses the real issues facing this country, and not mincing words to disavow the disastrous policies of the past seven and a half years.

This is what America really looks like, world! Not the strutting plutocrats and fear-mongers who've held us hostage for far too long.

And that "exotic-looking" guy with a weird name has reminded us of our highest aspersions. I'm crying for joy that I was privileged to live this long.

[VolcanoJen]

104. K&R to share in this historic night!!

:dem: :dem: :dem:

[ColesCountyDem]

105. "Free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

God bless you, my brother, and this blessed republic of ours! Having been born during de jure segregation, I, too, never believed I would live to see this day!

:patriot:

[jaysunb]

108. Hey now !

:hi:

[YOY]

106. I said it before in the primaries and was called nasty names by many now "PUMA" folks

Somewhere in heaven Dr. King is laughing his ass off. Not the laughter of shardenfreude but true laughter of joy.

[neuvocat]

109. I'll always remember this post.

Thanks for sharing.

[buzzard]

110. Sitting here tonight listening I am sad that it has taken so long for this moment. I am a white

female and was raised to respect all peoples regardless of race colour religion social status etc. I was taught to value each person no matter where they came from or what their race religion colour or any other divisions suggested, my parents always stressed humanity and opposed mans inhumanity to man (a cliche I am sure). They have been good people in every way.

[jaysunb]

111. UPDATE

Wow ! You guys really know how to make a guy even MORE goofy. :rofl:

I've been at DU since it's inception and have never felt more love, kindness, compassion, insight and solidarity as this thread has brought.

We are all witness to something of extreme importance and of great historic value. We are now on the verge --thanks to the internets-- of reaching mankind's best instincts.

I hope we'll all work hard to take a "giant leap forward " to a place where common sense trumps tribalism.

We're in it together.


Never been FRONT PAGED...what a thrill ! :)

[grantcart]

114. one of the happiest days of my life

[jaysunb]

117. Thanks Grant

We were very lucky to have such good choices....:hi:

[AmericanUnity]

112. I am so happy for you! God Bless I've dreamed of an America where color isn't an issue since JFK.

I'm white. The first campaign I worked on was Bobby Kennedy's.

I've dreamed that America would one day live up to the promise that bullets took down that fateful summer of 1968

I am so proud of the Democratic party.

PS I've been an Obama volunteer since March 2007. He is another JFK. Inspiration, idealistic, you name it. He's a winner. The one my wife and I have been waiting for.

[nene1985]

118. I already posted this

But I thought I would post it again, because it puts everything I feel today in words.

I cried today because I related this historic moment to my own roots. I cried for both of my great grandfathers who came to this side of the world in the belly of a slave ship. I cried for my great grandmother was someone's property. My mother has told me stories of helping her grandma get dressed the lash marks on her back from all the beatings she took. My grandfather is the youngest child of two slaves. Three of my grandparents didn't get past grade school. I cried for both of my grandfather's who spent their lives cleaning up and driving people around, being their chauffeur and butler. One of my grandfather's had cancer and he still had to smile and clean until the day he died. They both hoped for something better for black people. I cried for my father who lived under Jim Crow, who could only go to black school, go to the store on negro day only, who at 7 started helping his father clean because he was getting to sick to do it alone, who marched in civil rights protests, who today in his 60s still has the mark of dog bites on his body. I cried for my mother who when her family was the first black family to move into a black neighborhood her neighbors snubbed her and one of them hung a slave bell in their yard to let them know their place. I cried for myself, for even now as a 22 year old in the post 2000 era, have had people ask me do I play a sport because a black girl could not be in my college without being on some type of athletic team or people asking me how I made a certain grade because surely black kids can't do that well in science, and for being the only black person that year to graduate with a degree in Biochemistry. I cried today because this was not just Barack's moment, it was all of our moment.

[Heidi]

121. Welcome to DU, nene!

Glad you're here! :pals:

[nene1985]

122. Thanks

Thank you very much:hi:

[jaysunb]

128. Bless you...

and your family.

Keep on keeping on.....

[nam78_two]

144. Welcome to DU

Great post! Thanks for sharing.

[wryter2000]

154. Welcome to DU

Thanks for this awesome post. :applause:

DU has me bawling again today. How am I going to explain that to the people I work with? :loveya:

[FloridaJudy]

178. Welcome to DU!

And thank you for an amazing post.

Damn. Now I'm crying again.

[calimary]

119. Pretty darn cool, isn't it?

Please make sure you DO live to see this election through. So you can vote on that monumentally historic election day!

:patriot:

[ClayZ]

123. Your post is making me cry again.

I think our neighbors must think we are crazy. We have been wooooo hoooooting and hollering all day while watching the convention on CSpan! I can't wait for tomorrow night.

It is a dream come true!


K and R

[Dystopian]

124. Thank you jaysunb....

I could feel your words...and am sharing your tears of joy...

This is beautiful....

:hug:

peace~

[newtothegame]

125. CMON GUYS!!!

Let's move past this, I want to see the day when we can celebrate and cry for a great CANDIDATE for president and all the posts aren't crying because we nominated a "black" candidate. As a mulatto male myself, I strongly believe that as a nation we can never "get over" the race issue if we constantly remind people of racial differences by celebrating every little accomplishment by us African Americans. I know this sounds stupid, but I feel belittled when the MSM and even DU has to remind me constantly about the first AA doing this, first AA leading this. We're perfectly capable and don't need your sympathy! That's just what the neocons want, a constant dialogue about race instead of the issues; cmon, let's move on and kick some McCain ass!

Note: Edited for sp

[jamesatemple]

139. FREE AT LAST!

As a Texas "white" boy back in the '40's, growin' up in the cotton producing area of North Texas, I would ask mom why "colored" folks had to ride on the back of the bus, have their own restrooms in the courthouse, couldn't drink from the public water fountains in the park, have their own schools. The answer was, "That's just the way it is, honey". Any kid might accept such an answer but a reasoning kid will continue wonderin' about it.

I realized that skin color tones varied among "colored" folks as they did among "white" folks. Yet, any shade of brown was likely to be classified as "colored"; that the slightest bit of negroid blood was sufficient to relegate a person to a certain "class" of people. I wondered why the Cherokee blood that my mom's folks were so proud of didn't classify us as "red" folks. And, I wondered why I was told that you can't question religion.

It has taken a lot of livin', a lot of changes, a lot of courage to finally state that the old folks were wrong; that they were good folks shackled by their "raising" from another time. At the time, to announce that conclusion in an environment wherein every one of your peers still held a non-reasoned allegiance to the "old ways" was tantamount to inviting mob furor, isolation, and condemnation.

Dr. King's message about "Free at Last" encouraged me and a handful of others with whom I grew up to "come out of the closet"; to state that we didn't appreciate "negro" jokes; that we didn't countenance bias and prejudice as a norm; that we didn't believe that people of different skin color were different in their ambitions for the American dream. "Free at Last", indeed!

I'm certain that Homo sapiens of all skin tones have a natural, inherited survival instinct of distrusting strangers, of prejudice and bias. But, at least in this old man's mind, what make us more than "just an animal" is our ability to act in opposition to our inherited traits; to act according to reason rather than indoctrination.

Things are so much better now. Perhaps, when my generation with its inculcation of bias and prejudice are gone, positive social changes can accrue more quickly. Mayhap, a man or who is half black and half white won't be referred to as a "black" man...or a "white" man. I hope to live to see the time when he will be referred to as a "man".

[cilla4progress]

151. Fabulous post, and thread. Thank you, Jamesatemple

There's an awful lot of wisdom and philosophy there. You echo my thoughts in so many ways. Thank you for enriching my day...and this whole thread

I think the only way I'm going to get through today is taking a "mental health day." I'm riveted at being on the precipice of change. In the future, let's hope, it will be expected that a person of color - man or woman - could rocket to the top. But for today, let's relish the new world this heralds!!

[wryter2000]

155. Welcome to DU

:hi: Wonderful post. Thanks!

[TahitiNut]

160. Dr. King served our souls ... EVERYONE'S souls, regardless of skin color.

He's not "theirs" ... he's OURS. He gave EVERYONE an enormous gift, one for which I'll always be grateful. Like a Santa Claus, he's had many "helpers" ... each of which is fueled and guided by the crystal-clear articulation of a perfect vision. We are all benefited ... ALL of us.

[jamesatemple]

169. Yes, he did,

neighbor. Yes, he did. I reckon it seems silly that an old white man would get misty-eyed at listenin' to the beautiful and powerful orations of Dr. King. Yet, I wonder, is there a person with soul so dead as to not be moved by a gleaming flicker of truth? A flicker that is growing into a flame? A flame into a firestorm?

I'm so happy to be alive when uncommon decency comes to the fore. I'm goin' to try like hell to live long enough to help Barack Obama become the POTUS; to see him guide this wonderful young country back to the greatness it was only eight years ago; to see him take it on to heights that I can't even imagine.

I'll stand hand-in-hand with my grandchildren and tell them, "You live in a time of greatness; the result of a magic moment when our country came together with a single-minded effort to assure each and every citizen that there were no limits to the goals and aspirations of those who worked hard; a doorway into decency where our Country stoops to help the less fortunate."

Yep. Dr. King is ours, TahitiNut. His inspiration and courage blossoms in the hands of men like Barack Obama. Thank you for your kind comments.

[noiretextatique]

166. you are new to the game

this is a historic moment, whether you can grasp that or not. i have a hard time believing your story, btw.

[TahitiNut]

171. Consider yourself hugged, m'luv.

It is, indeed, an historic moment ... one in which we can all be thrilled and ennobled. To think I should have lived long enough. Wow.

:hug: :loveya:
(I miss you.)

[noiretextatique]

172. yes...it is historic, i too am blessed to be alive to see it

:loveya: when are you coming this way? it would be great to see you :hi:

[TahitiNut]

173. I wish I could visit ... it's just not in the cards, I'm afraid.

My caregiver "duties" and finances and health and total abhorrence of today's air travel seem to conspire against it.
I'm glad I never wasted a single day in the Bay Area (in 15 years) not appreciating it and the wonderful human beings there.

[jaysunb]

185. I'll buy you a ticket

or get one for K & me and we'll come see you ! LOL

:hi:

[newtothegame]

193. I guess I feel sorry for you then?

[jaysunb]

184. Sorry if my post offended you....

I just got caught up in the moment, and it brought lots of memories flooding to the fore all at once.
You see, I was one of those "freedom riders" 45 years ago,and an organizer, mentor ,tutor and Viet Vet that believed America would one day live up to it's promise so that you and my grandchildren WOULD ask: what's race got to do with it ?

So now you ( and my 18 year old grand daughter have ask that question) so I'll just shut up and go back to registering voters and all that other "stupid" stuff....

Take care and always remember, you got to where you are on your merit and sensibilities. :sarcasm:

[arthritisR_US]

126. it is indeed a wonderful thing to behold....what a beautiful day! :-) n/t

[TexasObserver]

127. Amen. I remember the vicious fights with Wallacites of 1972.

We literally had to organize rump conventions at the precinct level to get any black citizens selected as delegates in Texas. We had to organize challenges, many of which went all the way to the State Party convention for resolution. We won, based upon the new rules, and delegation after delegation of George Wallace delegates was removed and replaced by one of our sets of rump convention delegates, which included blacks who had never been a delegate to the convention.

I'm white, but I was working with blacks all over Texas on those efforts, organizing many of them and handling their appeals to the senatorial and state conventions.

I remember growing up around "whites only" signs. Many across Texas were still basically Dixiecrats.

THIS is really a momentous occasion, and we will all remember August 27, 2008. It gives me chills just thinking about it. We are living history.

[Maraya1969]

129. Oh damn. Now I'm crying too.

:grouphug:

[Enthusiast]

131. Thanks jaysunb,

thanks for sharing your emotions. This 56 year old blue collar white guy pretty much feels just like you do. :pals:

[DUlover2909]

132. I hope you and others live long and rejoice!

[Norrin Radd]

133. kr

[Highway61]

134. Bless you

Great post...simply stated and powerful.

[CreekDog]

135. Me too, me too. I've cried more times during this primary season than ever

I'm invested in Obama's success, so much is riding on it.

I invested in the right person. I look at the class and dignity that shows through in this convention, the kindness, the inclusiveness.

When we were all freaking out over what Bill Clinton might say, Obama was saying, "President Clinton can say whatever he wants to say." Now that was classy. Obama saw an opportunity in having the Clintons speak for him at the convention just as he sees opportunity that our cynical eyes are blind to.

He is a gift. If we only nominated white people, we would've deprived ourselves of Obama. I'm glad we didn't.

[bdamomma]

136. we still have to get them elected

we got to step up to the plate on this one. It cannot be repeated enough WE CANNOT AFFORD 4 MORE YEARS OF MORE THE SAME.

[SeaLyons]

137. .....

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[suffragette]

138. I wasn't able to watch this live

and was so exhausted after work that, although I struggled to stay awake and watch coverage (I caught some of Bill's speech) I couldn't keep my eyes from closing.

So I came to DU this morning and was able to see the NY part in the video section and was in tears.
And now I see your post and am in tears again - and they are tears of joy.

He did it.
We did it.
And this moment is historic and wonderful.


:grouphug:

[redqueen]

140. I missed the roll call vote...

thank you so much for sharing this, and making me all choked up too.

:loveya:

:hug:

[sinkingfeeling]

141. Very moving post. It's a great day for the Democratic Party. And, I'm sure you'll still

be around for Obama's re-election!!

[nam78_two]

142. ......

:hug:
It is a great day for everyone...

Now you have made me tear up...

[BklynChick]

143. thank you. k/r

[MGKrebs]

145. The courage of so many made this moment possible.

Let's not let them down.

[Virginia Dare]

147. I'm pulling for you to see it jaysunb!

as a descendant of slave owners I cried tears of joy too-- and I'm pulling for all of us to be here to see President Barack Obama sworn in.

[gratefultobelib]

149. It is indeed a wonderful time. May you live to see many years of the Obama administration!

[wryter2000]

152. I was crying, too

It was a great, great moment, and Hillary did it up proud.

[trashcanistanista]

156. America has risen.

I'm choked up that your choked up and I couldn't be happier.

[jcla]

157. AMEN! Jaysunb...

So did I. I have to work late on Thursday until 8:00... I hope they have plenty of kleenex on tap for me and my radio! (I just hope I don't flood out the library!)

[Mabus]

161. As a 40-something biracial female, I understand

I think a lot of people do.

[mike_c]

162. it's an historic moment, and I'll always treasure your response....

Thank you for sharing it.

[smoogatz]

163. The only thing I can add to that

is: WTF took so long? Better late than never, America.

[noiretextatique]

165. i wish my dad had lived long enough to see it

:hi: where the hell are you going? you'll be here for his next term, and so will i. :loveya:

[jaysunb]

186. Mr M would have been beaming...just like me.

Sis & Mom too ! :)

I'm not "planning" on going anywhere, but when things get this good, it seems something always happens. Ya know ?

Check your e-mail later today.

:hi:

[bunkerbuster1]

167. Dang. Got me welling up here.

Thanks for your post.

[Kajsa]

168. I cried too, Jaysunb.

I remember when things were very different.

History was made yesterday!

No one can ever take that away from us.

:pals:

[jgforbarack]

170. My Thoughts on Obama

For Barack
A leader must possess character, will, ability, and luck. If these four characteristics form a harmonious unity in a brilliant person, we have a man called by history.

Character is the most significant factor. Knowledge, book learning, experience and practice do more harm than good if they are not based on strong character. Character brings them to their best expression. It requires courage, endurance, energy, and consistency. Courage gives a person not only the ability to recognize what is right, but also to say and do it. Endurance gives him the ability to pursue the chosen goal, even if apparently impossible obstacles stand in the way, and to proclaim it even if it is unpopular, even if it makes him unpopular. Energy mobilizes the strength to risk everything for the goal and the persistence to keep at it. Consistency gives his eye and mind the sharpness of knowledge and logic in thought and action that gives truly great people the ability to reach the eternally wavering masses. These virtues together comprise that which we call character. Character, in short, is style and behavior in the highest form.

Will raises character from the individualistic to the universal. Will makes the person of character into a political person. Any person of significance wants something, and indeed is ready to use every means to attain their end. The will distinguishes the person who acts from the person who merely thinks. It is the intermediary between knowledge and action. It is much more important for us to want that which is right than it is simply to know what is right. This is particularly true in politics. What good is it for America to make enemies because it doesn't have the will to talk to them! Many know why America has collapsed, but few have the will to end its misfortunes. What distinguishes he who is called to leadership from all the rest is this: He not only has the will to want, but also the want to will.

But in politics it is also important not only what one wants, but what one accomplishes. This leads us to the third characteristic of the able political person: ability. Progress requires accomplishment. Leadership means to want something, and to be able to show the way to realize what one wants. History judges by what has been done. We Americans need to realize that. Politics is a public affair, and one cannot apply the laws of private matters to public matters. We Americans often tend to confuse the desire for something with the ability to do it, and to forgive the incompetent who says that he wanted good and proper things. "We have not brought about peace," say the November Republicans, "but at least we wanted to." That is irrelevant, just as we do not care if someone wants to play the violin. He must be able in fact to do so. He who wants to rescue a people must above all have the necessary ability.

Character, will and ability, the three prerequisites to leadership, show themselves in capable people. They are either there, or they are not there. The fourth characteristic binds the other three together: luck. The leader must have luck. He must have a blessed hand. One must be able to see that all his actions stand under the protection of a higher power. A leader can lack everything save luck. That is irreplaceable.

The masses do not oppose leaders. They do instinctively oppose usurpers who claim power without having the necessary will and ability. The leader is hardly an enemy of the masses. He shuns only the cheap tricks of mass flattery that feed the people with phrases rather than bread.

The leader must be able to do everything. That does not mean that he understands all the details, but he must know the basics. There are other helpful people who can keep the wheels of politics spinning.

The art of organization is one of the most important factors in the capabilities of political leaders. Organization means rightly assigning work and responsibility. The leader is the master in the clockwork of an intricate political machine.

Today we celebrate the nomination of Barack Obama. We believe that fate has called him to show the American people the way. We greet him with honor and devotion, and wish only that he be preserved for us until his work is finished.

[jaysunb]

187. Welcome to DU

Great first post. Very insightful.

Stick around, we need more people like yourself. :hi:

[ailsagirl]

174. Thank you for sharing that with us-- I'm teary-eyed too

I never thought I'd live to see the day...

:grouphug:

[ailsagirl]

177. KICK

[shaniqua6392]

179. Amen.

When I see the mixture of black and white cheering in the crowds for Obama, it is just an awesome sight!! God bless America.

[catrose]

181. From the deep South and the bottom of my heart

Amen, K & R

from the whitest of the white bread girls

[BrklynLiberal]

182. It is historic..and hopefully a sign of good things to come.

[ejbr]

183. My parents share your journey

As sharecroppers in Mississippi in the 1930s, could they have imagined that they would send their child to an Ivy League University, let alone see "this" day?

When Obama joined the presidential race, I was embarrassed for him. I have never been more thrilled to have pie in my face!

[jaysunb]

188. You were not alone in your skeptism.

But a healthy dose is always good because it helps you develop strong alternatives and/or a stronger resolve.

We are all proud of America today. :hi:

[ejbr]

192. Very proud! n/t

[snappyturtle]

189. When I listened to the roll call I cried too! I can imagine your emotions.

Although I'm not black, I cried too....just so relieved to see a great candidate formally nominated and done! I was so afriad something would muck it up like most of my political aspirations have been destroyed the last eight years. K&R :woohoo:

[Historic NY]

191. A "Ripple of Hope"

"Few will have the greatness to bend history;
but each of us can work to change a small
portion of events, and in the total of all those
acts will be written the history of this
generation ... It is from numberless diverse acts
of courage and belief that human history is
thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for
an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others,
or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth
a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other
from a million different centers of energy and
daring, those ripples build a current which
can sweep down the mightiest walls of
oppression and resistance." RFK