Poetry, Pictures, & Politics

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September 2nd through 6th contained numerous events surrounding the 2012 Democratic National Convention held in Charlotte, NC. The event had many goals but the primary one was the nomination of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominees. Along the journey each day from pre-convention to closing gavel held excitement in the air. Previous poetry written and current photographs taken by me and fellow National Delegates reflect the memories and the moments best.

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Dry Run and the Arrival

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Pre-Convention Events

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Atlanta, GA – Business Trip

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The little brown girl inside me wonders

will those around me acknowledge my presence?

Should bellhops be hailing me taxicabs

and I the one tipping the staff?

Yes ma’ams thrown out to me easily

while I look out the window, to see a rag woman.

She pushes a cart clinging with cans

people looking away as she passes by.

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The little brown girl inside me wonders

do I belong among the elite?

Should I be here among marble floors

waiters and waitresses at my disposal?

Dining on six and seven course meals

while listening to a violinist play Mozart.

People standing in line waiting to be seated

while I sit with CEOs and company presidents.

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The little brown girl inside me wonders

about the little brown girls of tomorrow.

She sits up tall so that she might shine

for those following the path she tries to pave.

Brushing off dirt left by today’s society

she lifts their chins while lifting their self-esteem.

Letting them know that they too belong

among marble floors sitting with the elite.

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© 2006 by J.M. Rose-Harris

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Celebrity Supporters

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Media Frenzy

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We The People

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“We support President Obama because he helped save our jobs.  We are auto workers and we will help save his job.”  – Erica O,, Tammi L., & Mozelle L.

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“I’m looking for the person who will bring our boys [troops] home.  And I believe that person is President Obama.” – Charles L Buffalo Soldier Reenactor & Vietnam Veteran

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Some Of My Convention Highlights

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AN INAUGURATION OF HOPE

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I feel the energy of those long gone

they’re coming back now for one last look

to see a native son with African roots

that run deep through Kenyan soil

with blended blood from European

and Cherokee love pumping through his veins

put his hand upon a Bible of another great man

who helped free those shackled and chained

mentally physically contained within fields

picking grains and cotton under the hot broiling sun

while being overseen with a whip and tar

the tide is turning toward a trail to change

where tears helped mat down dust that rose

with hatred by those who rode through the night

wearing white but carrying hate dark and deep

the energy is pushing away the years past

opening up for future possibility of chants

yes we can, yes we did, and yes we will do

we will do what is needed to ensure that generations

to come will be blended into one nation indivisible

under God no matter what the atheist say

we will work to lift up this man with his hand

on a Bible taking on the challenges of today

and tomorrow we will show him honor with respect

always remembering that ancestors are watching

they are nodding approval because maybe now

deep festering wounds can begin to heal.

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© 2008 by J.M. Rose-Harris

Initially Published in Home is Where: Anthology of African American Poetry from the Carolinas

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*The rally cry “Fired Up and Ready to Go” has roots in the NAACP but was brought into the Obama Campaign by a supporter and councilwoman from Greenwood, SC and 2012 National Delegate.