Just to let you know since I came back to DKos, about 4 months ago, I have been member since 2010, but just dropped by sporadically after 2008. I am a Hillary supporter. When she first announced I was not that into her. I was not into her and was hoping someone else would come into the race. I am AA, and I have let the community know this. I was proud that I was able to witness the 1st black President to be elected, did not think I would see it in my lifetime.
I grew up during the 60’s, so I have seen and witnessed a lot, the assassinations of JFK, MLK, Bobby Kennedy and Malcom X, the 60's were indeed some turbulent times.
I attended All Black Elementary and Junior High School, for High School, they had started what they called ‘Freedom of Choice’, which meant even if you were Black you could choose to go to any school you wanted. My father told me and my sister that we were going to the ‘ white’ High School. The hell, I wanted to go to the all Black High School my relatives went to. Let me tell you, when I got there, it was like I was in a different world. That ‘All White’ High School had so many teaching aides and equipment and perks and benefits that they did not have in the Black Schools, I was flabbergasted. Suffice it to say I got a very good education. This education prepared me well for college and a 37 year career in IT at a major bank.
Getting back to my journey to Hillary. I was open to Bernie’s message at first but do you know what the game changer was? Cornell West. Black people are very , very proud of President Obama. These are some of the things Cornell West said about Obama:
http://www.theroot.com/articles/politics/2012/11/cornel_west_obama_is_a_republican_in_blackface.html
The Hell. You don't disrespect Obama like that. When Black people saw that Bernie had selected Cornell West as his “ surrogate” for outreach to black people they were outraged, it was like a slap in the face. Won't going to happen, not today, not tomorrow, NEVER. They knew Bernie didn't have a clue. I think he tried to clean it up with Spike Lee but too little too late. Also, the “ghetto” remark didn't help. There are many, many middle class and upper middle class blacks, like my 28 year old son, who has never seen a ghetto. Hillary has embraced Obama and AAs notice this. In the latest NBC/ WSJ poll Hillary is carrying AAs 88-9. It might get higher, I have yet to talk to a black person who is voting for Trump. Black women area big factor in Clinton’s lead. Want to know why? They are very proud of Obama. When you see the black man being called thugs and criminals, when you see so many black men not reaching their 21st birthday, so many incarcerated and not shown in a positive light by the media and society. Then you have a black man who is President of the United States, President of the Free World. There are no words.
My journey to Hillary — when she testified before the Benghazi committee for 11 hours with such grace and such poise for 11 hours, I was blown away. She was grace under pressure, having to answer questions from 11 lawyers it was an extraordinary event to watch. Even getting questions like “ Were you alone”? The most ignorant question I have heard in my life. At 10 pm that night, I said that is out next President. She probably can't draw 20,000 to a rally that’s okay. Her wheelhouse is being a policy wonk and detail oriented and that is what I need in a President. I know there are a lot of scandals surrounding the Clintons but the Republicans play dirty. They are some nefarious scoundrels. Bill Clinton was impeached but guess what? All the Republicans that led the impeachment against him got caught up and brought down by their own sex scandals. Bob Livingston, Newt Gingrich and the ex Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert. Anyone who is still standing after what Hillary Rodham Clinton has had to endure most of her adult life has my vote. She can stand up to Putin, and any other so called bad actor on the world stage effortlessly. I know she would make an excellent President.