The DNC: Dreams of My Father

The California delegation had a party planned for tonight but I needed to decompress after tonight’s monumentally moving speeches brought us to the inexorable conclusion of Barack Obama’s nomination as our candidate.  So I’m sitting on a street corner alone with my thoughts as the city’s pulse beats strong into this life-sustaining night.

When Joe Biden paid tribute to his mother tonight, and said how much he wished his father was still here, my thoughts turned to my own father, gone 13 years. He would have been 90 this year, and in his lifetime the events of this week were unimaginable.  I know there must be millions of people for whom this historical moment is like oxygen, the sweetest music, and the warmest light.

I never saw my father cry.  But tonight it seemed that my tears were coming from somewhere other than me.

Comments

[jaelithe]

Yesterday when I was in the First Americans Caucus and the caucus leaders were praising Obama's promises to appoint a cabinet-level Secretary of Indian Affairs, to fix the broken reservation health care system, to fund programs to preserve Native American language and culture, and to finally give Native American veterans the honor they deserve, for a moment I could have sworn my grandfathers were in the room with me. I am sure everyone there was thinking, "Who is this white chick typing everything we say on her phone, and why is she blinking back tears?"

I'll be wearing my First Americans for Obama button for you today, Grandpas.

[George]

I can only imagine how my father would react but I'm sure there would be a huge smile on his face and a ton of pride welling in his heart. In the 60’s I still remember his calling me into the room on a Saturday afternoon to point out a black college quarterback. He was an accomplished physician and statesman but he always noted our society's progress in everyday events. He probably would also be remembering his days working as a railway porter as he worked his way through medical school.

I, too, have pride in my heart. I'm thinking about the hope Barack's nomination gives all our children and society in general that maybe, just maybe; we can take a huge step in establishing character as a basis of human evaluation instead of skin color.

[Cynthia Samuels]

Julie thank you so much for sharing this. I've written about it too. I think the tears and pride would come from the lost parents of every culture; those who fought to end the racism that kept this from happening sooner, those, like mine, who wouldn't sign restrictive covenants in their neighborhoods or let their kids be guests at any "restricted" institution. One of the great things about Barack Obama is that he has made this moment possible for all the sons and daughters remembering them now with such love and pride.