What I'd Like to Leave Behind in 2008

In 2009, I would like to leave behind the fear, self-doubt, self-hate, insecurity & lack of self-confidence that plagues us as Black people. For the first time, on January 20, 2009 we will have a competent, capable Black man as President--one who won the election with a majority of almost every voting segment [African Americans (96%), Jews (77%), gays and lesbians (71%), first-time voters (68%), Latinos (67%), Asians (63%), voters under 30 (66%), union members (59%) and women (55%)]. I can remember on so many occasions prior to November 4 hearing other Blacks and Black leaders talking about how Barack Obama couldn't possibly win, wasn't Black enough, acted too White, would be assassinated, our votes wouldn't count anyway, and many other reasons why Blacks should not support him. On a local level, we heard similar questions when Colonel Daryl Jones ran for Lt. Governor of Florida with Jim Davis in the 2006 election.








In 2009, I want my people to learn how to support each other whether shopping at a local Black business, voting for strong Black politicians, or re-building institutions of the Black community. We saw in this election how powerful a united Black vote is in bringing Change to our country. There are many more battles to fight and if we can arm ourselves with courage, confidence, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, etc. we CAN change our lives for the better, reverse the cycle of poverty, educate and inform ourselves, build wealth for our next generation, and more. In short-we can change our world and make a positive difference in the lives our our people!

How to Get Tickets for the January 2009 Inauguration

In regards to the January 20, 2009 Presidential Inauguration (flight tickets are inexpensive if you book now via Southwest Airlines). Regardless of what you may have heard, tickets are FREE to the public! All you have to do is contact your Congressional representative to put your name on the list to receive tickets. Several companies and websites claim to have tickets for sale, and several have sold tickets for hundreds to thousands of dollars, please DON'T purchase any tickets!! Tickets are distributed only 1 week in advance of the inauguration and must be picked up in person in Washington D.C. 240,000 tickets are available for distribution by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Refer to this following Chicago Tribune news article for more information, "Calls for inauguration tickets through the roof". This blogger believes that there will be over 1 million attendees at the inauguration, and this will be an event not dissimilar in its significance to the Million Man March of 1995 which saw over 1 million African-American men descend upon Washington, DC for a historic occasion. This time though, the attendance will be highly diverse with all races and nationalities represented.

For those living in Hillsborough County, FL - your Congress person is Kathy Castor, her phone number is 202-225-3376. You may also sign up at the JCIC's website for e-mail updates and inaugural events at http://inaugural.senate.gov/. The theme will be “A New Birth of Freedom” and refers to President Abraham' Lincoln's historic Presidency. Already at least one inaugural Ball, the Hawaii State Society Inaugural Ball at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel ($200-per-person tickets) is sold out, but of course there are multiple balls during this festive week. Also those who want to be involved in the parade, whether singers, artists, marching bands, etc. have to submit a request to the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC) at http://www.afic.northcom.mil.