Congratulations Sonia Sotomayor. She is making history becoming the first Hispanic, first Puerto-Rican, First Latina, and third woman to be confirmed into the U.S. Supreme Court!!!!(Why does this year feel like “THE” year for people of color in politics?”) (Personal Note: As a woman of color, I’ve never felt so liberated and filled with pride. To see someone who had a similar background that I can relate achieve such a milestone is inspirational to me. Just as Barack broke a piece of the color barrier, Sonia has broken race and gender, and have made it a little easier for me, and other women of color to achieve our dreams.)

Photo Credit: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/RoGdvIWTuOw/Supreme+Court+Nominee+Sonia+Sotomayor+Meets/xZB3qdzlq98/Sonia+Sotomayor

Happy 48th Birthday Barack Obama!!!! To clear up all those “He wasn’t born in the U.S. nonsense, click here to a great blog post by Monica at Transgriot”

Photo Credit: http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/Barack%20Obama%20Capitol.jpg

Photo Credit: Parade.com

Barack Obama has written a letter to his two daughters: Malia Ann and Sasha (a.k.a. Natasha) about his love for them and what he wants for his children (I wish all fathers could be like him).

Here’s an excert:

“Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you’ve both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn’t have let you have. But I also know that it hasn’t always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn’t make up for all the time we’ve been apart. I know how much I’ve missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me-about how I’d make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn’t seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation. “

Check out the entire article in the Jan.18 issue of Parade magazine (which hits newsstands this Sunday) or check it out online, on Parade Magazine’s website : “What I Want I Want For You–And Every Child in America”

I AM SO EXCITED TO SAY THAT BARACK OBAMA IS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERCIAN PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. MY GOD, I CAN’T BELIEVE IT. I AM SO EXCITED AND GRATEFUL THAT I VOTED FOR HIM AND HE WON. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY. AMERICA IS READY FOR A CHANGE, AND OBAMA IS IT. I TRULY HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS COUNTRY AS I’M WRITING THIS RIGHT NOW. I AM SO FULL OF JOY. THIS IS SO INSPIRING, NOT ONLY FOR ME, BUT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR (ESPECIALLY YOUNG BLACK MEN). MAY GOD BLESS HIM AND HELP HIM BRING THIS COUNTRY BACK TO A POSITIVE LIFE.

I’m very excited. My class was canceled for Today, so I can get to the polls early and cast my vote. PLEASE DO THE SAME. VOTE TODAY!

Photo Credit: http://pics.swsnews.com/i-voted-today.png

GO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4th

Find your location to vote here: Go Vote!

I know you probably have heard that tomorrow is one of the most relevant, important elections in U.S. history and it is. Our country has gone down a economic, international, health care and educational slump and is enduring the consequences of it. I’m not writing this to tell you to vote for a specific candidate. I’m writing this to say, if you are registered to vote, GO VOTE. My generation takes too many things for granted, its the norm now to see an African-American as a Democratic Presidential Nominee or a white woman have a great chance at winning the nominee as well.

Today, people who are in the minority whether its race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion have so many opportunities than our elders have. Now is not the time to throw away the right to vote, a right that people died and fought to have. It may seem like a drag, waiting online just to cast a vote, but its not just a vote, it really does make your voice heard. It gives you an opportunity to determine how politics run in this country. It let’s congress and the senate know what the American citizens are thinking, what they’re demands are and what needs to be done. Even if you don’t support Senator Barack Obama or Senator John McCain, there are other candidates in the running, like Cynthia McKinney for the Green Party.

Don’t waste this right. Remember, only those who have voted can complain if their candidate isn’t chosen.

Photo Credit: http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/07/27/your_vote_counts_button_3.jpg

I first saw this video on Stereohyped. Sixth and Seventh graders from the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, are voicing their opinions about politics through song. Shouting over rapper T.I.’s music from his current single, “Whatever Your Like”, they’re version, “You Can Vote However You Like” is fantastic. I love that even tweens are getting involved with voting.

Here are the lyrics:

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

I Love MCain, He’s the man
Fought for us in Vietnam
You know if anyone can
Help our country he can
Taxes droppin low
Dont you know oils gonna flow
Drill it low
I’ll show our economy will grow

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA,
Stick wit McCain you gone have some drama
MORE WAR IN IRAQ
Iran he will attack
CAN’T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK
We gotta vote Barack!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

McCain’s the best candidate
With Palin as his running mate
They’ll fight for gun rights, pro life,
The conservative right
Our future is bright
Better economy in site
And all the world will feel our military might

(Obama supporters)
But McCain and Bush are real close right
They vote alike and keep it tight
Obama’s new, he’s younger too
The Middle Class he will help you
He’ll bring a change, he’s got the brains
McCain and Bush are just the same
You are to blame, Iraq’s a shame
Four more years would be insane

Lower your Taxes – you know Obama Won’t
PROTECT THE LOWER CLASS – You know McCain won’t!
Have enough experience – you know that they don’t
STOP GLOBAL WARMING – you know that you won’t

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA
Stick with McCain and you’re going to have some drama
We need it
HE’LL BRING IT
He’ll be it
YOU’LL SEE IT
We’ll do it
GET TO IT
Let’s move it
DO IT!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

I’m talking big pipe lines, and low gas prices
Below $2.00 that would be nice

But to do it right we gotta start today
Finding renewable ways that are here to stay

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA,
Stick wit McCain you gone have some drama
MORE WAR IN IRAQ
Iran he will attack
CAN’T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK
We gotta vote Barack!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah