50 years later…
Presidential
Yesterday the President was in Connecticut to give a very important speech on gun control, speaking for the tragic Newtown victims and countless others on this issue that in my opinion needs attention, action and a vote NOW.
Well, he choose my DD’s college sports center as the venue to hold that speech. On Friday she was one of the many students to line up and score one of the hottest tickets in town. She and her friend were so excited when they called me screaming after getting their tickets that I was feeling giddy right along with them.
And here my beauty is, looking quite Presidential herself, sporting some old school Jackie O style with her peplum dress. Definitely ready to meet the press or President Obama if the opportunity should come up.
Finally, here are some pics from inside the arena. She told me it was amazing to see him (yes , the word handsome came up, but that could have been from me) and to hear him speak. She said it was quite life changing to be in the presence of a sitting President and feel that energy. I know I was so excited for her.
I was also so proud. You see as a parent of young African-American adults, in moments like this, I can’t help but think back to a history not that long ago when a moment like this was nothing but a dream and a struggle in this hearts of a people. And in the minds of some, a reality to never be seen. But here it is. In front of our eyes.
All the best,
KMJ
No Dream…
Is ever too big to dream.
As we go from here…
To here…
Wonderfully, yet again!
Happy inauguration and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
All the best,
KMJ
Forward…
A new storm may be coming but I’m so thrilled today that the storm of the election season has passed. I got 2 wonderful late night happy calls from my first time voter twins with tales from the college campuses and the excitement of the moment when the election was called for The President. I so enjoyed hearing the joy and the expectant optimism in both their voices. What an amazing and proud mama feeling.
(flag pic taken fm my local polling place)
Now I feel energized and ready to move forward to finish up the current book I’m working on (book 2 in my Creative Hearts series). Let’s hope I keep the power through this next storm. But no real worries because either way I’m pushing #Forward no matter what.
All the best,
KMJ
Beautiful First Family image from here and beyond
Keep Sanity Alive
A Festivus for The Rest Of Us
What’s Jack up to? Though I wanted to sleep in this Saturday but Jack was having none of it and had the DH and I up pretty early pushing his strong little body against one side of the bed, shake, shake, then, scratch, tap, tap, running to the other side to push some more until we gave in and he got to go out. Once again we know who’s in charge here. LOL.
Thanks to all of you who read my work, commented and voted for me in the Mills & Boon New Voices contest. It’s so hard to step out and be judged. If you haven’t had a chance to read and be all judgy there is still time. Grab a cup of tea and head on over here now. Thanks.
On a lighter note…finally a rally I can get behind well just about any of us can that is if I can get off the couch. I love you Jon Stewart.
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Rally to Restore Sanity Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c March to Keep Fear Alive Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election Fox News Best,
Kwana
No p-p-Poker Face
So I’m watching some of the supreme court conformation hearings yesterday for fellow New Yorker Elena Kagan and realize that though I have strong opinions and ALWAYS believe I’m right, I’d never make it as a supreme court judge because I’d never make it past the interview process.
Why?
1. I don’t do well in jeweled toned brights and
2. There is no way I’d be able to keep such a straight poker face while someone went on for an endless amount of time either for or worse against me. Um, ex-cuse me sir! You said what?
I’d look like Andy Cohen during a Real Housewife Reunion with all my expressions. And yeah my glass would probably not have water in it either.
Tell me would you be able to keep your poker face in this situation?
Have a great Tuesday.
Best,
Kwana
Legacy
There are some struggles that thankfully my DD will never have to face but sadly some that she already has. And with the great election of our first Black President old wounds have been reopened and sometimes things are uglier than they have been in a long time.
And now I find that even me, a girl one time removed, kinda like a second cousin, from the civil right moment (and honestly not as conscious as I should been, that is until I had children of my own and a real reason to care in my heart) am profoundly moved by the passing of these Black women pioneers of late like Dorothy Height and now Lena Horne.
Oh Ms. Lena what a beauty, but more so, what a talent what a spirit, what a legacy.
Looking back at the age of 80, Ms. Horne said: “My identity is very clear to me now. I am a black woman. I’m free. I no longer have to be a ‘credit.’ I don’t have to be a symbol to anybody; I don’t have to be a first to anybody. I don’t have to be an imitation of a white woman that Hollywood sort of hoped I’d become. I’m me, and I’m like nobody else.”
quote from the New Tork Times
Best,
KwanaReally? And what year is this?
So I have this YA book I want to sell called Diva Slave. You can read about it on the books page if you like. And in it this modern Black girl goes back in time to pre- civil war days and one of the details in it is her father is a free Black man and has to walk with his papers at all times.
So to this I say really Arizona? What year is this?
I have this Daily Show clip and I kid but there is nothing funny.. really.
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Law & Border Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party Best,
Kwana
P.S.
I will end this by saying your state is beautiful and I have had some of my best ever vacations there. Sedona, and The Biltmore.. I swoon. Get it together please.
Things To Do
Happy Monday everybody!
And a happy one it is indeed. Last night the House passed The Health Care bill despite all attempts against at. At some points at the end it got so nasty that it took us back to the days of 60’s civil rights and was terribly reminiscent of reels of school segregation that I’d been shown in school of young black children having to be guarded while crossing through lines of angry mobs hurling nasty words at them. But now these were not school children but minority members of congress. How far we still have to go and all to be good stewards of our fellow man. Thankfully we are on our way. I hope. I know Nana will be so happy.
In the meantime I won’t stay on my soapbox. This was really not my planned post for the day. See I’ve got plenty of things to do this week. Gotta stay on top of my list or I’ll fall behind and I don’t want that happening. Strange transition I know but watch and laugh anyway.
How do you keep on track when life tries to throw roadblocks in your path?
Have a good week.
Best,
Kwana