Since this is not the first time a Black man has run for President of the United States, it is not the first time I have voted for one, but this is the first time that other races of people in this country are voting for him, as well.
A very good friend shared the following poem with me a few days ago and I can definitely relate to some of the emotions the writer expresses about voting in this year’s Democratic Primary. Although I did not cry after casting my vote this morning, I definitely had tears in my eyes because of the historic significance of this primary and because I, too, have had a variety of different thoughts concerning my grandfathers, father, uncles, brothers, nephews, brothers-in-law, cousins, my husband and my son whenever I have pondered the candidacy of Sen. Obama.
Here is the poem my friend sent to me:
I have no idea where this originated – too powerful not to pass on!
TODAY
2/12/08
Today, I cried…..I voted for a black man and, I cried.
I cried for my father and my grandfather and all grandfathers before him.
I cried for my uncles, my four brothers, my seventeen nephews, my two sons, my six grandsons and one great-grand son.
I cried for the black men I have loved and those that have loved me.
I cried for the millions of little black boys (not forgetting the girls)
over the centuries that did not, in their wildest dreams, imagine that they could run for [the] Office [of President]. I cried for their despair…
I cried for all the men and boys incarcerated [justly, as well as unjustly] that lost hope in themselves and [might have taken] the low road.
I cried, I cried and I cried ….
I know that this was “just the primary.” But whatever the end result may be, today I voted in the United States of America for a black man, and .. I cried.
If I should die before the presidential election it will be OK, Because today I voted. I voted for a black man and I cried.
