Beyond the Inauguration

We ALL are obligated, to start living as ONE Race, "The Human Race".... And Beyond the Inauguration, Let's Keep The Change!

Today, as I prepare to attend the Historical Inauguration in Washington, DC, and to celebrate "MLK N' ME" (Jan 15th) B'Day... I MUST STOP and reflect on what this opportunity really means to ME and exactly why I AM BLESSED TO BE AMONGST THE MILLIONS OF ATTENDEES:. "Here I Am Lord, Send Me" (?).... While searching the soul within, I realize I will be able to say: I was there for many reasons: I was there to encourage all Human Beings: Beyond the Inauguration: "Let's Keep the Change!" I was there to "represent' my great grandfather, Adam Thibodeaux, "Papa Deuce" and all my ancestors who have knocked down barriers to make this change possible!

My grandfather, "Papa Deuce' was a freed slave. They say, his slave name was ‘Possum D". I am honored and blessed to remember him. He spent allot of time with me and my brother. (If only we knew what we know now...We would have written down all his stories!). Papa Deuce didn't read or write, spoke in his native language, Creole French, and often fussed at me to "...stop run'n d'hem chickens!!!..." as I played outside. (lol) He rode a TALL black horse. Perhaps that is why I was destined to meet my husband, and later learn to love, raised and show, Quarter Horses. Papa Deuce, although he was Noir, had sky- blue eyes, tall & skinny, (seven feet in statute, as he looked to be from the eyes of lil me). My mother said Papa Deuce was mixed with white (that explained his blue eyes) . He was 102-104 years old, at least, when he died. His birth certificate had been lost.

I was there, in DC, for all the Harriet Tubman's, my mother (all who picked-cotton, In Louisiana and Alabama for a $1.00 a day living), my maternal Creole family, the Leblanc's & Thibodaux's, and paternal Golden and Franklin ancestors. Many of who suffered numerous beatings, hangings, killings and suicides, as martyrs in hopes of making changes, (in the right2 read, educational & employment opportunities, integration, etc.) I will think of them as I have the opportunity "to choose" which one of the 5,000 portal-potties to use on the DC Mall during the inauguration events.. I was there for my ancestors, the pioneers that I must represent! They are the ones that have opened doors for our children, and grandchildren! I was there to have the opportunity to CHOOSE to STAND, and WITHSTAND, the DC COLD temperatures and the long lines!

Contrary to what I initially thought was only to celebrate my MLK n' me (Jan. 15th B'day), and witness the historical inauguration. I now realize that I was there to "represent ALL our ancestors", the pioneer "Change-Makers" who paved the way for Barack Obama, the first Black President of U.S.

We ALL are obligated, to start living as ONE Race, "The Human Race".... And Beyond the Inauguration, Let's Keep The Change!
Von Franklin (Indianapolis, IN)