MplusM Presents...

Batman or Barack

(He said, She said, They said, We said)

So much has been said about this year’s Presidential Election.  Officially and unofficially, amongst the candidates and the everyday man on the street; every street, every where!  ENOUGH ALREADY is what I’d like to shout to the world!  VOTE ALREADY!  ENOUGH SAID.  Especially with only seventeen days left before November 4, 2008.  Early voting has begun in some States, and I’ve already cast my vote.  I couldn’t take it any longer.  Couldn’t wait another minute.  With camera in hand, I was the first person in line when the library hosting early voting opened its doors. 

“Would you mind taking my picture, please?”  I asked the white man standing behind me.

“Of course not, but why may I ask?”  He inquired with a smile.

“For my son mainly, but also for me; for our family wall in the living room, for us, all our people, our ancestors, all of us.  You may not understand, but I do, they do, we do.  I’m making history and I want to capture the moment.  Savor it forever.”  I said, weepy. 

An elderly black man, third in line, handed me his hanky. 

The white man asked if he could hug me because “I understand Sister, I’m here for the same reason.”

Various people of color standing nearby shook their heads in agreement, smiled, teared up, and uttered words like “Yes ma’am, Yes Lord, Thank you Jesus, Finally, We gon do this, Uh-uh-uh, Never thought I would live to see it.” 

A lot can be said about who’s running for what, the tickets; who’s standing for what, the issues; who’s about what, their character.  But as I’ve screamed at the media, “ENOUGH SAID.  VOTE ALREADY!”  Months and months of political discussions, debates, arguments, and agreements across the world have left my brain exhausted.  Still, in an effort to secure Barack the presidency, expedite the process, and continue a role until the end, I go around town encouraging people to “VOTE EARLY!  Don’t wait.  Let’s get this thing over with, make history and fast.” 

To which a skeptical individual of the male persuasion said, “All them early votes gon git lost, come up missin by Novemba foath.” 

Though cringing on the inside, I managed a soft smile, leaned into his ear and said, “ENOUGH ALREADY.  VOTE!” 

I understand his skepticism.  Hundreds of years of trickery, not to mention the latest dishes served us by the Bush administration, can leave people, voters, feeling suspicious.  As the airport shuttle bus driver expressed, “You don’t think they [the Republicans] gonna try and pull off something do you?”

“Of course they are.  They always do.  They got some kind of game planned.  How else would they win?”  I responded.

“Well, I’ve prayed about it.  Given it over to the good Lord.  It’s in God’s hands.  I don’t think them people can beat him [Barack].  God didn’t bring him this far to leave him.  I believe he’s gonna win.  I believe that!”  She declared.

It’s because of folk’s beliefs and the freedom to express them that a slogan evoked in my soul a few weeks back.  Via email, a Caucasian associate expressed, “Heather, I’m concerned about what to expect if McCain doesn’t win?” 

While an African-American associate expressed, “What are we going to do if Barack doesn’t win?  We can’t survive another term of Republican politics.” 

Well, I pondered their concerns and decided the best I can offer is ‘God before the election – God after the election:  God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.’  Find comfort in that.  I emailed the same non-partisan slogan to both of them.  They said it helped.  I wonder would it help the black woman that called the radio station to say, “Barack is the anti-Christ.”

Well, everybody is saying something or another.  Even down to the children, non-voters.  On the morning that I voted, a friend playfully asked my son, “Who are you voting for, Batman or Barack?”

“Batman,” answered my four year old.  “Who are you voting for?”  He reciprocated.

“Barack,” responded Mitchell; a registered voter.

“Barack Obama,” clarified my son.

“Yes,” confirmed Mitchell.

“Who are you voting for Mommy, Batman or Barack?” asked my son.

“Both,” I answered.  “Barack is my Batman.  My superhero.”

                                              * * *

Hero – any person, esp. a man, admired for courage, nobility, etc.; Superhero – a nearly invincible hero... - Webster’s New World 

Powerful piece. God inspired. Keep writing. - Tony Bellamy, NC

I have tears in my eyes----well/beautifully written! - Reniesha Black, NC 

You should email this to Barack. - H. Kinsey, NC

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