Mahogany Misfit

First of all, let me just say how much I LOVE this picture.

And this from a woman who mostly doesn't even LIKE children.

I love this photo because it reminds me of the way my dad used to hug my little brother when he was just a wee lil' chocolate drop...also, it displays something that most of the world isn't used to seeing, and that tugs the heart strings a bit too.

Something about the image of a Black man...who over the last several hundred years has been mischaracterized and stereotyped as not being compassionate, gentle, or kind hearted, not having an image that is comforting or serene, and DEFINITELY NOT symbolizing hope or aspiration- to see this image of a Black man hugging a child that isn't his, and looking like the picture of everything we've all been told he isn't...serene, compassionate, gentle, loving, kind hearted...it fills my eyes with tears every time I see it.

Not because the image isn't familiar to me, because as a Black woman who has always had a present and loving Black father, and present and loving Black grandfathers- this image symbolizes what I've always seen and known in my lifetime. Myself, and BOTH of my parents grew up in households that were intact. Households that consisted of loving, married Mothers and Fathers.

Maybe some of the emotion on my part is sheer gratitude that everyone else in the world can now see Black men in the way I've seen them. As hardworking, diligent protectors and loving providers who go out into society to endure ills that most of America can't even fathom, to support themselves and their own.

Not as murdering thugs and gang bangers who dominate the TV news. Not as lazy, unemployed absentee fathers whom Maury loves to flaunt on his minstrel-esque talk show every fucking weekday. Not as "boyz in tha hood" doing drive by's ala almost every Black themed movie of the 1990's. Not as sinister, dangerous inmates spewing venom and telling tales of lives embroiled in crime on MSNBC's popular "Locked Up" Series.

The election of Barack Obama isn't going to effectively erase those images from the minds of those who don't "personally know us", but only know "what they see of us on TV". The non-minorities who don't encounter us on a regular basis may always cling to these characterizations.

We're all aware of that, but I think the hopes of every earnest, well-meaning Black person, is that the image of President-Elect Obama the new First Family will put a new picture into the minds of those who are ignorant about our potential and who we really are.

Like almost every other African American who witnessed history on Tuesday, I also never thought I'd be a witness to this. I didn't publicize it here, but for the last several months I've been volunteering with for the Obama campaign, donating money every pay period, and holding out hope for this day to come.

Now that it has, I find myself enjoying and savoring the moment but also HOPEFUL about the future of Blacks in this country...hopeful in a way I have never really been before.

And a side note-I'd be lying my ass off if I didn't admit to having visions of my little brother running for the Presidency in 2028.

LIKE I'M THE ONLY ONE!

I dare ANY other Black person to say they haven't found themselves fantasizing about who in their family could be President one day after this historic election...don't you sit there and lie!

These are hopes we've never been able to entertain before so in my opinion, it's perfectly okay to indulge in a little hope. Look how far it's brought us!

Since I have all this pure, unadulterated hope...and am a forward thinking kind of girl who loves doing WISH LISTS when it comes to Black men (look on the archives if you don't know my history), allow me to present some of the amazing Black men I see one day walking in the footsteps of Barack Obama.

This will be a running theme on the blog this week, I'll do a new person for each post.

Yay!

*Disclaimer- I've resisted the urge to put my little brother on this list since he's only 22 and isn't currently an active politician.*

Today's future Presidential hopeful is....

Cory Booker- Mayor of Newark, New Jersey

First let's state the obvious from a sexpot's point of view.

HE'S HOT.

Now that we got that out of the way, let's talk substance.

After seeing Mayor Booker on my favorite show, Real Time With Bill Maher last Friday, my crush went beyond aesthetics.

This is a man of substance.

*Swoonin' all day long*

His wikipedia page also gives great insight into Cory Booker- The Man.

And what an amazing, phenomenal man he is. Sure I have a huge crush but I'm also in awe of his ideals and in total admiration of his principles.

When I read he was a vegetarian, JUST LIKE ME OMG!!!, and that he has a history of living in the ghettos of Newark and is one on one with the community...I was blown away.

This is an educated man from a prominent, affluent family who CHOOSES to live in "the hood" so he can be unified with the community he serves. This is a man who, for five months in 2000 he lived in a contemporary motor home, parking on street corners known to be places where drug trafficking occurred.

Oh and the Bloods tried to kill him back in 2006 for his determination to rid the city of crime. Can't leave that out. He still lives in the hood too! Ain't that crazy?

Damn, this guy makes me so HOT.

But this isn't about my sexual desires! This is about America and Cory Booker has the potential to be a great President!

He's brave, articulate, educated, and dedicated to bettering the community and helping others. His integrity and Democratic sensibilities remind me so much of Barack...

Could I see myself supporting a "Booker in 2016" run?

America, the answer is, FUCK YEAH!