by
dominique DiPrima
Those of you who listen to my show, even casually, know that I am elated by this victory! The re-election of the 44th President of the United States was a great day for America…And the world! You know that I believe the President Barack Obama is the right person for the viciously difficult job at hand…And that the best man won!
But my joy and celebration goes far beyond the office of the presidency and the mandate that is clearly stated in the electoral landslide (332 to 206 was defined by Republican pundits as a landslide when they were busy predicting a Romney win…So it must also be a landslide when the Democratic President pulls it off, right?)
I understand that this is not the time to rest on our laurels, in fact I am very clear that we must push forward with our momentum and give no ground. I truly believe that this is the right moment to formulate and lobby for a Black Agenda, and a specific Progressive Plan for our nation! This is the moment in modern history where our organizing, marching, and engaging is most likely to be rewarded with success. And at this joyous juncture I would like to take a moment to share with you the top five reasons why I am celebrating:
1) THE PEOPLE TRUMPED THE MONEY! The 2012 election set new records for cash spent in a campaign cycle. It is estimated that $6 billion dollars was pumped into campaigns nationwide. Karl Rove’s American Crossroads “super PAC” alone spent $104.7 million targeting Democrats. But the Billionaire Boys Club got beat! They anted up hundreds of millions publicly and anonymously to no avail. They lost the bid for the White House and failed to take over the Senate. Even with the Supreme Court’s nefarious Citizens United decision opening the floodgates of shady corporate donations, we the people won the day!
2) THE NEW AMERICA SHOWED IT’S BEAUTIFUL BLACK/BROWN FACE!
African Americans led a coalition of Latinos, Asian Americans, Women, the LGBT Community, Environmentalists Youth and Progressive White People! That is my America…And it’s not new to me, but it’s new to Willard Romney, much of the conventional media and the political establishment. Everyone is welcome because it’s all about consciousness, and equitable policies not just class, gender or even race. Welcome to the 21st Century boys…Time to update your world view because we are only going forward from here!
3) WOMEN FLEXED!
American women spoke loud & clear in election 2012…We will not go back!!! Rape apologists Todd Aikin and Richard Mourdoch were sent packing. After this election, in the Senate women now hold 19 seats, the most ever. The first Asian American woman to win a Senate seat, Mazie Hirnono, will represent Hawaii. Tammy Baldwin was elected to represent Wisconsin and will be the country’s first openly gay Senator. As soon as President Barack Obama finished his brilliant victory speech #Hillary2016 was lighting up the Twitter-sphere. Hey, it’s the age of Aquarius. so you might as well get used to it! Time for the feminine principal to reemerge on a planetary level and help shift our paradigm to a sustainable, humane one.
4) THE YOUTH VOTE IS HERE TO STAY!
Fifty percent of eligible young people voted in 2012. Young people volunteered in droves across the country, canvassing, door-knocking, making phone calls and raising campaign cash. The generation labeled millennials made up a whopping 19% of the total vote, 1% more than in 2008. They made liars out of all the talking heads who said they had lost their enthusiasm. Sixty percent of them supported the re-election of the President. In 1997 just 37% of youth vote. It’s a trend, not a fluke and it’s good news for America, as young people tend to be open-minded and more likely to break down entrenched racial and gender barriers.
5) IT’S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD!!!
Hey, you may be laughing, but a lot of folks are still thinking that on December 21st, 2012 – it’s all over. In fact, after months of talking friends and listeners off the ledge regarding election 2012 and begging us to visualize victory, I am now prepared to talk you off the ledge about the end of the world. That will be considerably easier now that we have re-elected President Barack Obama, elected Elizabeth Warren and passed Proposition 30 in California. We will not be launching a war on 1) Iran, 2) Russia or 3) The 47% any time soon (any of the aforementioned could definitely signal armageddon.) We will not be forcing the victims of rape to have their rapists babies, forcing seniors to cover their medical expenses with meager vouchers, or dismantling social security sending millions of elderly Americans into onto the streets. We will not be pretending that Global Warming does not exist and standing by idly while New York and New Jersey are obliterated by storm waters. And we will not be faced with Frankenstein and Dracula being appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court to form a super-majority with the other scary right wing robed-ones.
We WILL be investing in education, jobs, infrastructure, the green economy and sustainable energy. We will be moving towards an agenda of peace!
And that my friends means that with your hard work, you may have saved the world this election 2012. So when December 21, 2012 rolls around you can say a prayer, breathe a sigh of relief and say…The only world that is ending is the one we voted out! 2012 is a paradigm shift, the beginning of a love-based global society – change. Not overnight, but over time, and we are the stewards of that change…Congratulations!
November 12, 2012 at 9:53 am
Thank You, Again, Dominique. You are so timely and on point. Celebration is in order keeping what you have said in perspective. Keep the conversation about a national agenda aflame. We know politicians respond to their backers and organized movements that make since. I have a couple ideas to add myself. Let me know what to do with them. God’s Rich Blessings will Stay on you and all that you do.