Feb
39

Michelle Obama: A Woman After My Own Heart

Annie Lebowitz,First Lady Michelle Obama,Sophia Nelson,Vogue,hay adams hotel,photos,white house
By now everyone is America knows that Mrs. O (sounds a lot like Jackie O) is going to be featured on the cover of Vogue Magazine next month. That is a great accomplishment for a magazine that has not featured too many women of color on its covers over the years. Michelle (as we all affectionately call her–as if we know her) is changing things and I like it.
The photo to the left is one that the famous Annie Lebowitz captured with her fabulous lens of Mrs. Obama casually writing on her note pad while resting on a couch at the historic Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. where the first family resided before the President was sworn in on January 20, 2009. I think this photo captures the essence of her as does one other one.
For me and for millions of black women, professional sisters (doctors, lawyers, engineers, nurses, executives, professors, journalist, etc.) this day has been a long time coming. We see in Michelle the embodiment of all of our hopes and dreams come to life. It is as a fairy tale has jumped off the pages of yesterday and the handsome Prince (that would be the President) and the captivating princess (the First Lady) are meant to live happily ever after–only in this fairy tale, they are black, stable, healthy, happy, and grounded with their two young children.
I can’t stop gushing about him or her. I know, I know–I have Obamamania syndrome (LOL), but its nice to feel good about someone else’s success in life. It is nice to see so many supporting the Obama’s love and their family. It’s nice to see a sister, who is strong and powerful, be also gentle and loving to her husband and kids. She truly has it all, which is a great example for young black women who fear they cannot. You go Michelle, we love you girl.
Mrs. Obama is captured below talking on the phone as she stands near the balcony subtly overlooking the White House and Lafayette park below.

Jan
40

America Has a New President & A New First Lady: My Thoughts & Reflections

Alexandra Nelson,Chief Justice Roberts,Essence.com,First Lady Michelle Obama,Kids Inaugural concert,President Obama,Sophia Nelson

Let all the ends thou aimst at be thy country’s, thy God’s, and to truths be noble and the nobleness that lies in other men, sleeping but never dead shall rise in majesty to meet thy own. (inscribed on the top mantle of Union Station, Washington, D.C.)

I WAS A FIRST HAND WITNESS TO HISTORY YESTERDAY ALONG WITH MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. As our new 47 year old African American President took the oath of office, hand placed firmly on the Lincoln Bible, Michelle looking at him adoringly and approvingly (although when he and Chief Justice Roberts had an oath of office malfunction she shot him a look like, “Baby pull it together, we have worked too hard and traveled too far for this moment–get the words right so that you can be nice and legal and we can move into that great new home.”) the favored quotation above came instantly to my mind.

I see in this man, humanity at its best. I see in him someone who can bring us back to who we are supposed to be as Americans. I hear in him the human compassion and servant oriented call to arms that we as a country so desperately need in our leaders right now. Do I think he is perfect, or messianic, of course not. None of us is above being human. He will disappoint us. He will have rough moments. He will stumble, he will stammer, but he will prevail and he will make us all proud.

What I like most though is what he had to say to us yesterday as Americans and I like even more the imagery of his historic rise to the United States Presidency. Those images embody L-O-V-E of his family and his country. I so like the LOVE that is so apparent and genuine between him and his wife of 16 years. I like the image of a powerful black man, his elegant wife, and their daughters being broadcast world wide. I think the Obamas will help usher in a new era of romance and commitment between black men and black women in this nation. I get giddy when I see them–misty even because they embody everything I ever wanted for my own life, and that of my two nieces.
I, along with my 10 year old niece, Alexandra chronicled the day from start to finish with photos and journal logs. To read the firsthand entries please go to my political blog: http://www.politicalintersectionblog.com/ (see also Alex’s blog chronicling of the Kid’s Inaugural Concert on January 19, 2009 in an interview with Essence.com http://essence.typepad.com/electioncentral2008/2009/01/kids-for-obama.html)

We took some great photos (which I will post) including the ones where the new President and first lady got out of their car about 50 feet from where we were located on the parade route and waved to us all as they walked down the street smiling in the bitter cold. It was a sight to behold. I felt like my generation and those younger than us finally had our JFK moment.
In the final analysis, as the Rev. Lowery said yesterday and on election night–America has been reborn. I feel like we as black Americans have been and will be (finally) redefined. Redefined for the better. Redefined for who we truly are as husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, academics, hard workers, intellectuals, etc. Thank you Barack and Michelle for your willingness to put it all on the line a 22 months ago and make the improbable run for the Presidency.
As my mom used to tell me non-stop: nothing ventured–nothing gained.
If I Have Not Love, I am Nothing
Sophia