To be an OBAMACRAT
I was asked recently why I refer to myself as an “Obamacrat” when I’m a registered Democrat. And it’s a very good question. From 2000 to 2007, I was a registered independent. During that period, I continued voting for Democrats because I liked their agenda and issues, but I scoffed at the notion of belonging to a party. After all, “issue identification” has always been more important to me than “party affiliation”.
But President Obama really inspired me to change my party affiliation…and ultimately, to believe again. My belief in the concept of the politics of hope has always been strong, but now it's bigger than the boundaries of this planet we inhabit. It was just a matter of time before I knew the word Obamacrat fully applied to me. But it's more than a word, it's a bonafide movement.
Allow me to explain.
To be an Obamacrat is to acknowledge (not dismiss) the color-specific differences that make us unique, while also embracing the color-blind commonalities that bring us together. If you see it this way, then you’re happy that President Obama has assembled a rich, cosmopolitan group of smart people that will advance, improve, and transform lives while "visually reflecting" the diversity of America. In a country of shifting demographics, this is necessary. In fact, Obamacrats will be cheering loudly when President Obama names a Latino and an Asian American to The Supreme Court.
To be an Obamacrat is to recognize that nothing, but nothing, trumps grass roots organizing. President Obama beat Hillary Clinton during the Democratic Primary season last year because of his simple community organizing philosophy: city-by-city; block-by-block; person-by-person. But he became the most popular person in the world when he grew his profile using the tools of The New Media: the MySpacing-YouTubing-Facebooking-texting-Twittering component. Obamacrats see this as the smartest way to market your message for a mass audience. And we appreciate how Barack Obama continues to use New Media tools to promote his presidential message.
Obamacrats crave diplomacy, you know, where our country talks to both its friends (like Great Britain and Israel) and its enemies (like North Korea and Iran). In a world that is more connected and inter-dependent than ever before, nations working together can reduce, if not obliterate, the child sex trade; female inequality; global warming; the AIDS epidemic; famine; and never-ending war.
Furthermore, Obamacrats also want a president who can bridge the cultural divide in this country, someone with both BLUE STATE credentials and RED STATE credibility. Indeed, regardless of who voted for him on November 4th, President Obama now represents the evangelical farmer in Montana and the supply-side economist in Mississippi (who probably didn’t support him) as well as the small business owner in California and the union worker in Connecticut (who probably did).
To be an Obamacrat is to believe you can build something as majestic as The Great Pyramids or The Great Wall of China; to believe you can be as historic and life-affirming as P.B.S. Pinchback or Shirley Chisholm; or to believe that regardless of your cultural name (Gupta, Nguyen, Garcia, Omar or, Obama) you can be President of the United States. You know there are limits, but your strong, overpowering belief in the possibilities pushes you, and drives you.
Labeling myself an Obamacrat is a profoundly impressive honor that I take very seriously. I love the fact that President Obama is not only a great communicator, but also an intellectual stud. The Obama Family living in The White House, a building built by African-American slaves, is compelling. Truly earth shattering. But, even more compelling is the fact that slaves also dug foundations, hauled limestone, baked bricks, and cleared timber for The Capitol, where Obama was inaugurated, and for the massive area known as The National Mall, where 2 million people were packed in to witness his swearing in.
Like President Obama, we walk in the spirit of people who championed our rights, who spoke truth to power, and, who even envisioned this great moment in history. Let us all make the most of it.
To be an Obamacrat? Man, right now, nothing even compares to the feeling.
2morrowknight is an internet strategist and community organizer who blogs at 2morrowknight.blogspot.com, and is author of a forthcoming children's book on President Obama.
Add a Comment
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Comment by 2morrowKnight on February 22, 2009 at 3:41am -
Hey ATL Darling. I do appreciate your posts.
No, I haven't heard anything about whether he will name a Latino or Asian-American to the Supreme Court. But if you look at his administration, it is the most racially and ethnically diverse in presidential history. There are three Supreme Court Justices who reportedly will be leaving during Obama time in office: Justice Stevens; Justice Ginsburg; and Justice Souter. There is a good piece on who will go or stay right here.
Of the three he will name, I'm betting he will name a Latino, and an Asian-American. That would be awesome because this is a growing country with rapidly developing concerns. And we need a U.S. Supreme Court that looks like the country is handing decisions for. Trust me, look for him to do this.
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Comment by ATL Darling on February 22, 2009 at 2:49am - Hey 2morrowKnight...I saw in the piece where you wrote that Obama was going to name a Latino or Asian-American to the U.S. Supreme Court? Is that true? What have you heard? Man that would be truly earth shattering.
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Comment by 2morrowKnight on February 20, 2009 at 8:06pm
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There are plenty of articles written about people who are so happy about Obama getting elected that they are having lots of sex. The result of this surge in sexual activity will result in lots of babies from July to September. In fact, President Obama himself was also born 8 months after John F. Kennedy, which was the last time this country was so wildly enthusiastic about a president getting elected.
So I agree, the LA Singles idea, and any singles/dating idea dealing with President Obama will work.
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Comment by Rock & Roll Baby on February 20, 2009 at 8:00pm - Definitely a good idea to meet people who are conscious of what Obama is doing, especially in a romantic setting. That LA Singles idea will work.
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Comment by LOVE & HAPPINESS on February 18, 2009 at 5:44pm - Tonya, I like the idea of a singles service of conscientious people, around the Obama Campaign. That's going to work.
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Comment by 2morrowKnight on February 18, 2009 at 4:42pm
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Thanks Tonya. Wow, "LA Singles for Change", I love that name, and I'll certainly look at your website. I think the idea is great Tonya. I really do. You'll find that Obama is a great motivating force for millions, and the agenda he seeks to implement is a great discussion. I have my disagreements with a few things he wants to do (or doesn't want to do), but, for the most part he is right on! Wow, I will have to come to LA for some of your events. Congrats on your event-planning ambition.
Thanks for your kind words on my blog posts. I worked for The Obama Campaign last year as a internet strategist. That was a profoundly impressive experience. My posts are literally a continuation of those great feelings. With every bill or executive order he signs, I am so happy I voted for him. I wanted to convey that to the reader, while also educating people. My blog posts are also on my pages on myspace, blackplanet, asianavenue, tagged, Hi5, and my other sites...thanks again for your compliments.
I'll make sure to check out your website and get back to you.
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Comment by Tonya on February 18, 2009 at 12:28pm - Awesome blog, 2morrowKnight! You have a great way with words and write compelling, inspirational blogs. Obama truly did change the way that many people view politics overall. In LA, I'm an aspiring event planner whose working with a seasoned event planner on putting together events for intellectual, professional singles that are socially-conscious. The events are based on the Obama campaign and provide discussion topics and hands-on projects. Its called LA Singles for Change (www.lasinglesforchange.com). The website is just a rough draft right now, but I'd be interested in your views on this, if you get a second to check it out. Keep up the good work and thanks for stimulating the Essence community with your fascinating blogs!
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Comment by Rock & Roll Baby on February 18, 2009 at 6:07am
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But don't forget about their lovely kids. Their kids are creating a sensation everywhere they go. In fact, right now, modeling agencies coast to coast are looking for Malia and Sasha look-alikes. Its crazy, but its very real. If you have children who even resemble them a little bit, your kids could be in advertisements. That's all over the internet right now. Companies want their products for kids to be marketed by African-American children.
That's not because Black folk have now "made it" so to speak. It's because of The Obama Family. And I ain't mad at any black family that's paying their bills by taking advantage of the the Obama kids fascination.
The entire Obama Family has it going on.
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Comment by 2morrowKnight on February 18, 2009 at 5:44am
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Hi Sabrina. Thanks for your comments. I believe Barack and Michelle are going to have plenty haters during his opresidency. It comes with the territory. But I believe the Obama Family is going to be fine.
Barack Obama's influence on popular cuture has sensational. And his impact on the presidency will be imitated by every president in the future. And Michelle Obama is so freakin' awesome in her own right.
A whole generation of kids will grow up with a black man as the president. The thought of that is just powerful.
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Comment by sabrina on February 18, 2009 at 3:48am - Break Through! loll, that's all I can say, a burier that has finally been broken!
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