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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13028
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 02:49 pm: | 
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A friend e-mailed me the following narrative written by someone named "KENYADA". I think it is worth sharing.
"Guests began arriving early. There are no place cards and no name tags. Everyone knows everyone else here. Now, there's a grand foursome - Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz sharing laughs with Martin and Coretta Scott King. Looks like Hosea Williams refused the limo again, keeping it real. And my goodness; is that Rosa Parks out there on the dance floor with A. Phillip Randolph?
Seated at a nearby table, Frederick Douglass has a captive audience in W.E.B. DuBois and Fannie Lou Hamer, and Medgar Evers has just joined them.
Marian Anderson was asked to sing tonight, but she only agreed to do it if accompanied by Marvin Gaye, John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix.
Look, there's Harriet Tubman. No one knows how she arrived, but there she is. And my guess is that, when the time comes, no one will see her leave.
There's Jackie Robinson swiftly making his way through the hall as the crowd parts like the Red Sea to the unmistakable sound of applause. "Run, Jackie, run!"Along the way he is embraced by Jessie Owens.
Three beautiful young women arrive with their escorts - Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney. Ms. Viola Liuzzo flew in from Michigan, exclaiming, "I could not miss this."
Richard Pryor promised to be on his best behavior.
"But I can't make any guarantees for Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley," he chuckled. Joe Louis just faked a quick jab to the chin of Jack Johnson, who smiled broadly while slipping it. We saw Billy Eckstine and Nat King Cole greet Luther
Van Dross, James Brown. Josh Gibson stopped at Walter Payton's table to say hello.
I spotted Congressman Adam Clayton Powell of Harlem having a lively political discussion with Eldredge Cleaver. Pearl Harbor WWII hero Dorey Miller shared a few thoughts with Crispus Attucks, a hero of the Revolutionary War.
And there is Madam C.J. Walker talking with Marcus Garvey about exporting goods to Africa.
General Benjamin O. Davis flew into Washington safely with an escort from the 99th Fighter Squadron - better known as The TuskegeeAirman.
At the table on the left are three formidable women - Shirley Chisholm, Sojourner Truth, and Barbara Jordan - gathered for a little girl-talk... about world politics.
As usual, all the science nerds seem to have gathered off in a corner, talking shop. There's Granville T. Woods and Lewis Latimer needling each other about whose inventions are better. Someone jokingly asked Benjamin Banneker if he had needed directions to Washington. And George Washington Carver was overheard asking, "What, no peanuts?"
Dualing bands? Anytime Duke Ellington and Count Basie get together, you know the place will be jumping. Tonight is special, of course, so we have Miles, Dizzy, and Satchmo sitting in on trumpet, with Coltrane,Cannonball, and Bird on sax.
Everyone's attention is directed to the
dance floor where Bill "Bojangles" Robinson is tap dancing. Right besidehim is Sammy Davis Jr., doing his Bojangles routine. And behind his back, Gregory Hines is imitating them both. Applause and laughter abound!
The Hollywood contingent has just arrived from the Coast. Led by filmmaker Oscar Micheau,Paul Robeson, Canada Lee, and Hattie McDaniel, they find their way to their tables. Dorothy Dandridge, looking exquisite in gold lam‚, is seen signaling to her husband, Harold Nicholas, who is standing on the floor with brother Fayard watching Gregory Hines dance. "Hold me back," quips Harold, "before I show that youngster how it's done." Much laughter!
Then a sudden hush comes over the room. The guests of honor have arrived. The President and Mrs. Obama looked out across the enormous ballroom at all the historic faces. Very many smiles, precious few dry eyes.
Someone shouted out, "You did it! You did it! "And President Obama replied, "No sir, you did it; you all - each and every one of you - did it. Your guidance and encouragement; your hard work and perseverance. .."
Obama paused, perhaps holding back a tear.
"I look at your faces - your beautiful faces - and I am reminded that The White House was built by faces that looked just like yours.
On October 3, 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was laid, and the foundations and main residence of The White House were built mostly by both enslaved and free African Americans and paid Europeans.
In fact, most of the other construction work was performed by immigrants, many of whom had not yet become citizens. Much of the brick and plaster work was performed by Irish and Italian immigrants. The sandstone walls were built by
Scottish immigrants. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that The White House is, ultimately, The People's House, with each President serving as its steward since 1792.
The People have trimmed its hedges, mowed its
lawn, stood guard at the gate, cooked meals in the kitchen, and scrubbed its toilet bowls. But 216 years later, The People are taking it back!
"Today, Michelle and I usher in a new era. But while we and our family look toward the future with so much hope, we know that we must also acknowledge fully this milestone in our journey.
We want to thank each and every one of you for all you have done to make this day possible.
I stand here before you, humbled and in awe of your accomplishments and sacrifice, and I will dedicate my Presidency, in your honor, to the principles of peace, liberty and freedom. If it ever appears that I'm forgetting that, I know I can count on you to remind me. Isn't it time for all of us to wake up and get to work?" |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1337
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 05:09 pm: |
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Well Cynique, I have to say that was probably the best thang I've read this week, maybe this year. That piece should be on the walls of every history class. Heck, after reading a few names I had to think a little. I'd like to say that I knew how each fit into history but I wouldn't be telling the truth. But the names were so wonderfully blended into the piece that I sort of figured it out. For instance ( I could be wrong)Benjiman Bannecker, I am assuning he had something to do with the design of the city or the White House?
I am going to print this off AND send it off to others as e-mail, thanks. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13030
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2008 - 09:31 pm: |
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You're welcome.  |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7513
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 10:09 am: |
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Their reaction to this, of course, will depend upon what happens the next four years. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13034
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 02:21 pm: |
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I don't think those who have "gone ahead" will be suprised or discouraged by set-backs. They know from experience that progress comes in stages. |
Kenyada
First Time Poster
Username: Kenyada
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 28, 2008 - 03:56 am: |
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Thanks Cynique, for posting my essay, "Inauguration Ball 2009." I wanted to mention that this version is the short version of the original that is included in my new book "Reflections in the Dark Room," which is due out in January. I first posted this piece on October 29th:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/29/1643/9807/819/645987
Since then, the essay seems to have taken on a life of its own, being copied to many websites, forums and blogs - and even attached to e-mails going all over the world. Unfortunately, some have chosen to claim it as their own and even add some names to it. So I want to thank you for respecting my authorship. The longer version includes more names that were omitted in the post due to space constraints, but if you like this version, you will find the original adds so much more to the feeling of inspiration and achievement.
Thanks again and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season and the New Year.
Richard Kenyada
Atlanta |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1403
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 28, 2008 - 09:49 am: |
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Hello Mr. Kenyada
I am so happy that you stopped by our humble abode. I loved your piece. I was wondering who wrote that. See, I have a friend named Kenyada. Well, he's not a friend but I know a person that goes by that name. The trouble is he's locked up. Every once in a while he could up with a thought provoking little something. I said to myself, I know that fool couldn't have wrote that, but you never know. Sometimes brothas go to jail and find themselves but I see you are up early in the morning spreading the good. He's probably standing by for bed count.
Btw, I did pass along your essay. I didn't change it -- add anything to it -- or say it was mine. I just said it was from a friend of mine *lol*.
Hello friend, thanks for stopping by.
~Carey
~Carey |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13121
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 28, 2008 - 12:47 pm: |
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What a pleasant surprise to hear from you, Richard Kenyada! As soon as I read your essay I knew it would be a perfect fit for the forum here. It never occurred to me to not acknowledge you as its author.
Needless to say, I appreciated and enjoyed your inventive endeavor. Thank you for "bringing it altogether" for black folks and I hope your upcoming release will result in continued success!
Cynique |
Kenyada
Newbie Poster
Username: Kenyada
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2009 - 02:53 am: |
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Hello everyone. I just wanted to update you on the progress of my new book, Reflections in the Dark Room: The Black Essays. The book went on sale on Inauguration Day, which is ironic because it includes the Inauguration Ball 2009 essay.
Those interested can order it through Amazon.com or through my publisher at http://www.KenyadaEssays.com
Thanks again for your support. |
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