231 Years

On Saturday, November 7th at 9:53 am MST my mother texted me the news (US 2020election results), and while I have other thoughts, emotions, and questions, which I will express in a subsequent post. I wanted to take the time to properly acknowledge and archive that on said day, Kamala Harris was elected/became the vice-president-elect of the United States of America.

It is the first time in the country's history that:
1.    A woman 
2.    A woman of Black and Indian parentage (Dougla if you're from Trinidad and Tobago)
3.    A woman born in the United States of America to two immigrant parents
       has been elected to such a position in the White House.
​4. A woman was sworn in as Vice President.

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!

As a woman who is battling her own set of firsts, in a country and spaces that occasionally whisper to me, that I do not belong, I can not help but exhale! Truth be told, watching Vice President Harris make the call to President-Elect Joe Biden, made my heart sing. For me her story (no matter your personal thoughts, feelings, or politics) is one of resilience. 

Vice President Harris, lost her initial bid for Presidency, stood firm in regards to whatever was said against her, addressed certain concerns and fears, rallied and ultimately returned to successfully accomplish an amazing victory. 

A true career milestone!

​This note was not and is not meant to be a political post. I just wanted to reflect as an immigrant, black woman who is working on accomplishing my own sets of firsts despite the obstacles which exist. I am truly encouraged, and more resolved to dig deep and overcome as another burner on my Ph.D. stove has been reignited. 

​With that being said, I bid you goodbye through one of my favorite poems:

​Phenomenal Woman
By MAYA ANGELOU

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,   
The stride of my step,   
The curl of my lips.   
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,   
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,   
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.   
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.   
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,   
And the flash of my teeth,   
The swing in my waist,   
And the joy in my feet.   
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,   
They say they still can’t see.   
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,   
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.   
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.   
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,   
The bend of my hair,   
the palm of my hand,   
The need for my care.   
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Source: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (Random House Inc., 1994)

​xoxo,
​Geo!