the debt

being the crybaby that i am, even in the midst of my conflicted political leanings, i still recognize this moment and this day for what it is. driving on the South Side this morning to drop off PC, i passed a polling place, and my eyes instantly-welled up with tears. OUR PEOPLE ya'll, many of whom prolly never voted before today, were standing in a (very) long line, waiting to vote. young, old, middle-class, working-class, homeboys from around the way, single moms just trying to make it.....all just waiting patiently for their God-given right to participate in the electoral process.

no matter the outcome, history has been made simply by ppl just showing up. they are predicting 80% voter turnout in IL--80%?!!! the likes of that haven't been seen since the early 70s, i'm told.

my friend and i have been talking about how proud her dearly-departed grandmother would be if she were here to witness this. i think about my great-grandmother who has also passed on...i also think about my maternal and paternal grandmothers who are still living, voted absentee, and are just chilling, waiting for their man Barack to win it all! never in their lifetimes did they think this day would come when a black man would even be an option...and yet here it is.

i passed an elderly lady as i was walking into the polling place. she was by herself, pushing a walker, with her Obama '08 button on her sweater, and a smile on her face. she moved slowly, carefully, but also victoriously.

we have much to be thankful for...our ancestors fought the good fight...and now, maybe, we will win the race!