Our America

Posted on November 8, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

(Written in Praise of President Obama and Vice President Biden’s victory in the 2012 Election.)

Image courtesy of Just Jared site.

Our America is not one that is steeped in homogeneity. Our America is ever changing, evolving. It doesn’t always look like you, sound like you, love like you, or believe like you. In our America, our differences don’t create problems. They bring about unity. They showcase the beauty of diversity and inclusion, not inferiority and hatred.

In Our America, access doesn’t come with million or billion dollar price tags. Opportunities exist for all, especially all who believe in themselves and are committed to diligence. While Our America is not perfect, it cannot keep up the status quo just to appease the good ole boys. Only doing this will forsake itself, its people, and the world by not adapting to change and by not allowing new perspectives and styles of leadership to come to the forefront.

Change, the right change—especially when given the opportunity to blossom—is essential to our livelihood, our growth, our productivity, and our economy. Our America needs to move forward. Our America needs progress. Let our America prevail!

The Power Of Your Voice

Posted on November 6, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

My partner and I got up early this morning so we could get to our polling station before it opened (at 6 AM). It was very good thinking on our part considering how long the line was, even at 5:50 AM. But seeing the line of people this early was a beaming sign. It meant people were not going to be swayed in any way. They were going to let their voices be heard. The cold—even with the temperature below freezing—was no deterrent either. That’s because the cause was/is worth it.

The cause is worth it because my ancestors fought too long and too hard for all of us to be able to vote. They knew the power of the voice and that we’d only falter if we remained silent. They recognized the importance of the collective…and that if we all had the chance to vote that we could collectively change our world for the better. My ancestors died so that we could we could be free and live in a world where equality and justice reign supreme. Therefore I don’t take any of it vain.

I also don’t take it lightly the (ongoing) issue of voter suppression and oppression throughout this country. There’s too much at stake for any of us to be cast aside or denied our right to exercise our political voice. And after being in a long line of voters today and seeing the long lines of people voting early in days prior, I know that this right—this precious right—is something we all (should) hold dear. As someone said exiting the polling station this morning, “You’ve got to show up in order to show out.” And I’m so pleased, so happy, so grateful that people across this country have/are doing just that.

Never think that you don’t matter or that you don’t count. Because you do. If you feel you aren’t being represented well or at all, you have the right to voice your concerns and act accordingly. If we fail to act or we don’t exercise our rights, then we’re giving in. We’re signing off and are just as accountable as the parties in office. Or as many will say—if we don’t vote, we don’t have a voice. Remember, you and your voice are worth more than they’ll ever admit. Why else do you think they up the ante on tactics to scare us away from the polls (especially during Presidential Elections)?

I don’t care what scare tactics they use. I wouldn’t care if it was subzero or 100+ degrees outside this morning. If I had to stand in line all day today to vote, I would do it. I recognize the power of my voice and power of my vote. And I’m glad to see that so many of my fellow Americans do too.

Desperation (from Prevail)

Posted on October 24, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

With two weeks before the election, I thought it fitting to share this poem. “Desperation” (from the “Politics” section of Prevail) was written just before the 2008 election. While the stakes are seemingly higher now, much of the poem’s content is still quite relevant. If you remember nothing else for this election, please remember the power of your voice, your vote, and your dollar. And use them all wisely. Just as elected officials should be held accountable for their actions, we too should be held accountable for putting them into office.

Desperation

When desperation sets in,
Colors don’t matter.
You have no time for games;
It’s about functionality,
And what makes the most sense,
when all other qualities and characteristics are amiss.

When desperation sets in,
Decisions are made nearly in haste.
There’s almost no doubt,
No second-guessing.
When time was wasted on bullshit before,
you’ve got to go with the best for the future,
or what’s better than what you’ve got right now.

When desperation sets in, you might let go of all sense, logic, and reason.
Just because you can’t lose faith in the system,
You don’t want to give up hope.
Even when your leaders have proven otherwise,
You have to have faith in the truth and the power of the people.

When desperation sets in,
Political parties don’t matter.
It’s all about who can do better than those who currently stand before you in office.

When desperation sets in.
You just want someone who can do the job,
Someone you can trust,
Someone who you could stand on a temporary if not permanent basis.

When desperation sets in,
You hope to not make the same mistakes twice.
Cause you’ll really be fucked;
You’ll be fucked in more ways than one.
Most importantly—it won’t be the way you’d like it to be.

When desperation sets in,
Don’t get blinded by the façade,
Don’t be swindled by the sweet talk.
Charm is good but revolving doors that lie are not.

When desperation sets in,
Don’t go with the lesser of two evils.
When the vote counts, make sure it’s a step in the right direction,
Not a step into another (inter)national nightmare.

Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics is available at iUniverse, Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover), and other retailers.

Alice Walker’s "Democratic Womanism"

Posted on October 22, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Image courtesy of the New York Daily News site.

I want to vote and work for a way of life
that honors the feminine;
a way that acknowledges
the theft of the wisdom
female and dark Mother leadership
might have provided our spaceship
all along.
I am not thinking
of a talking head
kind of gal:
happy to be mixing
it up
with the baddest
bad boys
on the planet
her eyes a slit
her mouth a zipper.
No, I am speaking of true
regime change.
Where women rise
to take their place
en masse
at the helm
of earth’s frail and failing ship…
~ Alice Walker, “Democratic Womanism,” 2012

During an interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now, writer and activist Alice Walker recited her poem “Democratic Womanism,” written in honor of the late Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai.” In this poem, she challenges us to rethink the current practices of our leadership and to question the effectiveness of a political system that has only let its people down, and has led to the further destruction of life and the well-being of the planet. “Democratic Womanism” encourages us to look towards the wisdom of women, as they have have so expertly led, managed, and taken care of all aspects life and the planet. By doing so, we ultimately have a chance to change the course of life and our world.

What does Walker’s “Democratic Womanism” mean to you? What is its relevance in relation to the 2012 election?

Day 98: I’m Voting for Progress – Obama Biden 2012

Posted on September 7, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Image courtesy of San Antonio Express site.

If you reject the notion that this nation’s promise is reserved for the few, your voice must be heard in this election. ~ President Barack Obama, DNC 2012 Speech

I want to live an America where we all have the same opportunities. An America where we all have the chance to live up to our fullest potential and achieve our dreams. An America where we all have access to the resources, services, and programs to maintain acceptable well-being, welfare, and livelihood. Because it’s about access, equality, and leveling the playing field, and not about entitlements or what we “deserve.”

I want to live an America where the wealthy are not rewarded for being wealthy and held accountable to the same standards and expectations of the working class and the poor. I want to live an America where I don’t have to make a case or fight for rights that are inalienable, because they are human rights granted for all. I want to live an America where the rights of corporations do not trump the rights of the people. Because after all, there wouldn’t be any corporations if it weren’t for the hard work and service of the people.

I want to live in an America where those that fight for the civil rights and freedoms of Americans and our brothers and sisters from nations abroad are not left to falter when they return home. An America that will look to its people to help maintain its competitive edge instead of looking abroad just save a few bucks. An America that will treat all of its people equally regardless of whether we were born here or are immigrants. Because we’re all here for the same things…we’re all dreamers.

For those of us that believe and share in the dream and this country we call home, we’re more than willing to be diligent and work collectively to move this nation forward. We must not succumb to the propaganda, lies, and false promises of those who hold their personal interests above the interests of the people they represent. We must stand for up what we believe and support the officials who share in these beliefs, and will honor them while holding office. That’s why I’m voting for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. They have and will continue to fight for America, its people, and the promise of its future.

I’m voting for progress, not regression. I hope we all will do the same.

Day 96: Michelle Obama at the DNC 2012

Posted on September 5, 2012 by BuddahDesmond611

Image courtesy of The Washington Times Communities site.

Michelle Obama is the epitome of what a First Lady should be. She exudes class, grace, eloquence, and wisdom. She hasn’t forgotten where she came from and she will not allow us to forget where we’ve come from either. We cannot sit back and allow ourselves to falter. We have to bring each other up. It’s about OPPORTUNITY. When you have it, make sure you’re leaving the door open for others to follow. Set the example. Lead with character, honesty, and integrity.

Buddah Desmond

Author of Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics

Category Archives: 2012 Election