At DNC, onlookers get window into Black, NY culture
Black culture and the Black family structure were on full display at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on night two. Audience members enjoyed an enthusiastic ceremonial roll call where historic leaders like Rep. Maxine Waters, Gov. Wes Moore, Rev. Raphael Warnock, and Nikema Williams swayed to classic hits from artists like Kendrick Lamar, Tupac Shakur, Aretha Franklin, and Lil Jon, who appeared in person to perform portions of “Turn Down for What” and “Get Low” as they cast their respective delegations’ votes for Kamala Harris, the sitting vice president who now is on the path to succeed the president.
New York made a strong statement with filmmaker Spike Lee front and center with Gov. Kathy Hochul, as she referenced the historic feats of female New Yorkers during her remarks.
“We are also not just the birthplace of great progressive movements; we are the birthplace of Shirley Chisholm, we are the birthplace of Geraldine Ferraro, we are the home of Hillary Clinton, and that’s why, as the first woman governor of New York, I am so proud to cast 298 votes to make Kamala Harris the first female president of the United States of America,” Hochul said, fueling an already ignited crowd.
During this brief history lesson, NY Attorney General and Howard University graduate Letitia James stood by Hochul’s side, cheering on the decision to support Harris as a fellow alumna. As the celebratory mood subsided, a more serious tone took its place when world leaders spoke to the threat associated with another four-year term for former president Donald Trump.
“Kamala has shown her allegiance to this nation, not by spewing anger and bitterness, but by living a life of service and always pushing the doors of opportunity open to others,” said Michelle Obama, wearing braids down her back. “She understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of failing forward. We will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth. If we bankrupt the business or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third, or fourth chance.”
Much of her speech focused on policies amplified by Trump that would harm everyday Americans.
“It’s his same old con: doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually make people’s lives better. Look, because cutting our healthcare, taking away our freedom to control our bodies—the freedom to become a mother through IVF like I did: Those things are not going to improve the health outcomes of our wives, mothers, and daughters,” Obama added.
“Why would any of us accept this from anyone seeking our highest office? Why would we normalize that type of backward leadership? Doing so only demeans and cheapens our politics.”
A family affair
The DNC provided an opportunity to redefine gender roles among presidential spouses at every level, giving equal weight to remarks from a previous First Lady and her spouse, and offering the spotlight to an aspiring First Gentleman in a blended family.
Michelle Obama’s husband and the 44th U.S. president, Barack Obama, doubled down on the narrative hammering the notion that the country must band together to build on the achievements of his vice president pick and the current president, Joe Biden.
“Now, the torch has been passed. Now, it is up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in. And make no mistake, it will be a fight,” Barack said. “For all the incredible energy we’ve been able to generate over the last few weeks, for all the rallies and the memes, this will still be a tight race in a closely divided country.”
Most poll watchers believe the final decision will fizzle down to ballots cast in the five battleground states. According to Navigator Research, the vice president is behind in Arizona and Pennsylvania, but tied with Trump in Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
“And as we gather here tonight, the people who will decide this election are asking a very simple question: Who will fight for me? Who’s thinking about my future, about my children’s future, about our future together?” Barack Obama said. “One thing is for certain: Donald Trump is not losing sleep over that question. We do not need [another] four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos. We have seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse. America’s ready for a new chapter. America’s ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”
As the Obamas used the national stage to cement their belief in Harris’s abilities, her husband Doug and stepson Cole Emhoff used the opportunity to highlight her quiet strength.
“We might not look like other families in the White House, but we are ready to represent all families in America,” Cole said of his stepmom before introducing his father.
Emhoff and Harris met on a blind date that led to their marriage on August 22, 2014. On Thursday, they will celebrate their 10-year wedding anniversary as Harris accepts the Democratic nomination for president.
“Wherever she’s needed, however she’s needed, Kamala rises to the occasion, and she did it for me and my family,” Emhoff said. “And now that the country needs her, she’s showing you what we already know: She’s ready to lead.”
He praised Harris for her innate empathy, which he said is one of her strengths. “She will lead with joy and toughness, with that laugh and that look, with compassion and conviction,” Emhoff said. “She’ll lead from the belief that wherever we come from, whatever we look like, we’re strongest when we fight for what we believe in, not just against what we fear.”
Tuesday’s program theme was “A Bold Vision for America’s Future” and as Democrats move to convince the nation that Harris’s leadership is worthy of a four-year term, Emhoff said he believes her contagious smile will carve out a new era of understanding for commanders in chief.
“Kamala is a joyful warrior. It’s doing for her country what she has always done for the people she loves. Her passion will benefit all of us when she’s our president,” he said.
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