Mad Props: President Barack Obama

Pride, a Deeper Love...

StyleScrybe's sore today. I got spent Monday night on the floor of my cousin's office, woke up at 5:30 AM Tuesday and then walked what seemed like a million blocks in heels to stand in the freezing cold for hours. It was well worth it, though because I was present at one of the most historical events in my life (and this country's history). Yes, I was there... at the Inaugural Ceremony. I stood shivering in the huddled mass of people to see Michelle Obama hold the Bible Abraham Lincoln used at his swearing in while her husband, President Barack Hussein Obama, took the Oath of Office. We received tickets to the standing area at the last minute, and I could barely see the jumbotron through the bare branches of a tree. Still, my grandchildren will be able to tell their friends I was there. My mother, who was unable to make the trip to D.C. was able to live vicariously through me.

150 years ago, I would have been human chattel, 100 years ago I would have been considered a nigger, 50 years ago I would have called myself a negro, 25 years ago, I was Black, and yesterday I was African American. Today, I am American. No, all racial context of my life has not been erased. I am the granddaughter of a Black Panther, the descendant of slaves (and slaveholders and Native Americans). The hardships and atrocities faced by my forefathers and foremothers has not been forgotten nor vindicated. There is still a HUGE racial divide. Hegemony is still VERY MUCH in effect. And, just as any orphan would, my people still have MAJOR issues. (I often say I come from an orphaned race because much our our history, etc is so obscured.) However, President Obama's presence in the Oval Office brings to mind that line from "The Jeffersons" theme song, "We've finally got our piece of the pie!" (I really could go on and on about the significance of the day, but then you'd get bored with me and not come back)













Oh! I wouldn't be StyleScrybe if I didn't take a moment to admire Mrs. Obama's Inaugural fashion choices. She was absolutely radiant at the ceremony in her yellow-green Isabel Toledo ensemble with green J.Crew gloves and patent Jimmy Choo pumps. Later, her white Jason Wu gown was a fairy tale all its own.