Yes We Can? No...Yes We Did!

(photo credit: NYDailyNews.com)

I am too overwhelmed and excited to even blog right now, but I had to post this right this very moment. America has elected Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America. 400 years ago, Black people were slaves in this country. Less than 50 years ago, we didn't even have the right to vote. And now....a Black Man will bring his beautiful Black wife and two beautiful Black children into the White House!

But you know what? It wasn't about race. It couldn't have been. Not with Obama winning the way he did tonight. It was about the issues. Mr. Obama ran a classy and dignified race. Substance. Style. Truth. So much truth.

McCain is giving a beautifully eloquent consession speech. I have to respect him for that. The country just did not want the possibility of four more years of the same.

I will definitely post more about this later, and will definitely start a countdown to Inauguration Day. But for now? God is Good. All the time. All praises & blessing to Him. It is now when President Obama will need you the most, as he leads this country into a new direction.

Obama y'all! Yes We Can? No, Yes We Did!

(photo credit: abcnews.com)

***Edited at 9:00am 11/5/08*****

I didn't go to sleep until around 1:30am and bounced right up at 6:15am. Between following all the play by play coverage of what was going on in Harlem via @AroundHarlem and staying up to watch Obama's acceptance speech, I didn't want to go to sleep. And now, I hardly want to even focus on the tasks I am supposed to be focusing on today.

I found this picture on Brittany's blog this morning and it sums up what is truth right now. I will break down the ramifications of this historic election more in on another day. For now, I can just smile.

The Race 08: Six Days & Counting!

Election Day is a mere six days away! I can hardly wait to place my Vote For Change. Until then, I am leaving you with these two very different, but very poignant Youtube Clips.


The Wassup Guys Are Back with a Message for Change



You Can Vote However You Like
(The kids from the Ron Clark Academy speaking TRUTH!)

The Race 08: Michelle Obama

A Note From Ms. Aja B.

Hello Ladies & Gents!

I haven't discussed politics much on Belle-Noir Mag because I am admittedly very biased. I am a proud Democrat and while I would have voted for whomever was the Democratic presidential nominee, I couldn't be prouder that it is Senator Barack Obama.

I have been watching the National Conventions since I was old enough to vote. Bill Clinton was the first President I was old enough to vote for back in 1996. And I remember four years ago watching this young man from Illinois (whose name I admit to always reversing at first--calling him Obama Barack with enthusiam LOL) dazzle the crowds at that Democratic National Convention and wondering--maybe?

Who would have known then that my favorite part of his race to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue would actually be his wife, Mrs. Michelle Obama. A friend teased me the other day and said that my infatuation with her was because she is now a soror. While that might have admittedly increased the admiration, I was a fan. Long before the "controversial" fist bump, it was this picture that made me want to find out all the more about Mrs. Obama.

The love, the compassion--it was something that I didn't recall ever really seeing (nor believing) with the Clintons. But here they were: Mr. and Mrs. Obama, sharing the moment together. Husband and Wife.

For those who are unfamiliar with who she is, I'd suggest checking out the cover story article about her in Ebony Magazine, as well as the article on the Obama family in the recent Essence magazine as well. They provide insight into this family that might, in just a few months, bring this nation it's first Black President & First Lady.

I loved her speech last night. I think she definitely silenced her critics who keep replaying her mispoken comment in which she stated that this was the "the first time" she was proud to be American. I feel her speech truly got to the heart of how so many Americans are feeling right now (the part about the empty seat at the dinner table made me misty-eyed) and definitely spoke to not only unifying the party, but reminding the country that we have more in common than we have actual differences.

This morning on several female-orientated blogs, I have seen people (mostly men) come out of nowhere in comments sections still spouting the same old "oh, he's Muslim and she's a militant" rhetoric. I don't know if they just refuse to listen, or they are hearing something I'm not.

The rest of the Convention will be equally as interesting. Especially with the Clintons taking center stage tonight. I'd love to do the live blogging thing that folks do, but I think I will leave that to the wonderful people over at MichelleObamaWatch.com.

So what did you think ladies & gents? What did you think of Michelle's speech? What do you think of the commentary that has ensued?

P.S. Please note: the opinions expressed above are obviously my own. While I am definitely Pro-Obama, the most important thing for anyone to do in November, regardless of who you support, is to VOTE in November.