Last night I wrote a comment in Lefty Coaster's diary: Fox Nation reacts to Michelle's speech: "What a sweet wookie story".
Some Kossacks asked me to publish the comment in a separate diary. So, here goes, posted as it was posted in the diary in haste and a flurry of emotions...
Haaaaaaa!
All I can do as a fellow black woman is be smug and grin.
I finally understand.
I used to imagine myself in the position of a black person in the spotlight as "first" and having racists and misogynists spit at me. I was filled with rage at the thought of it. I thought maybe it was good that more worthy black people were accomplishing these things and not me because my crazy ass would be fighting everybody. I'm angry as a honey badger and I don't give a shit.
I've never really been in this position before. I've never seen a black woman who was on my side with this much clout before and constant media coverage. The public hasn't seen this, either, except for Condoleeza and she's one of THEIRS. I've never seen so much ugliness directed at a famous black woman that I consider a "friend". For years I've been tormented by the attacks on her and the nasty names and the cow references and jabs at her African body type, similar to the one inherited from my mother. Everything they said to/about Michelle was about ME.
But now I see why all the black achievers kept their steel and never let anybody see them affected by the racism and ugliness. They weren't holding their anger inside like a nuclear explosion in their gut, they were basking in the hate and perhaps even enjoying it.
Because at the end of the day, our ancestors that were chained and abused would have smiled through every cotton picking callous on their hands, every welt from the whip that healed in a raised scar, every tear shed for a beloved child or mother that was sold away from them and never seen again...they would have smiled through every goddamn miserable day of their lives if they could just see this magnificent woman's face and know that she would be The First Lady of the UNITED States one day in the future.
These insults mean less to me now than they ever did. I reach over the tides of history to high-five my ancestors instead and we laugh at the silly red-faced white people who can't humiliate her, abuse her, talk down to her like a slave or touch her lest they be tackled by Secret Service.
So, let them talk shit on the internet. My ancestors are amused that the state of racism is such that these cowards have to hide behind anonymity. ;-)
By all means, challenge the racists and call them out because they deserve it but remember that our ancestors rejoice that all these idiots are cowards. And they lost. Make sure they lose again.
GOTV. Canvass. Talk to your friends, coworkers and neighbors whenever you can.
Donate to Obama/Biden 2012 if you have it.
Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day! ;-)
9:37 AM PT: Ugh! I'm getting ready to go to work again. This always happens. lol I publish something that gets on the rec list right before I have to be at work because I never predict that it's gonna be recommended. I'm touched by your great and supportive comments. Looking back, I wish I had written something more eloquent and with less curse words. Thank you for appreciating what pours from my heart and thank you for voting Democratic and for being progressives. My present life would be very different if not for people throughout the ages who cared about the underdog.
I'll be back in a few hours. I hope I was able to lift some spirits today. Not like we needed it after that wonderful speech by our First Lady. ;-)