Maferefun Obatala

Today is my 12th birthday as an initiate of Obatala in the religion of Santeria/Lucumi. 12 years ago I was crowned Obatala Yeku Yeku in the Bronx, USA; mojuba baba tobi Asinyabi; mojuba ajugbona okan Arabi. While I am not particularly active in the religion I give thanks every day for the blessings of God, my ancestors, my spiritual guides, and the mysterious Orishas for protecting me and lighting the path before me. Twelve years, wow. Not all of them easy. But here I am. Ashe!!

Mojuba Olodumare; maferefun Obatala; maferefun gbogbo Orisha.

PRESIDENT OBAMA!

I'm speechless. A very emotional night last night. There will be time to talk about all the limitations of his presidency, all the dangers ahead, and all the ugly realities this election may not actually change. I time to discuss how the brave citizens of California think chickens have more rights than gay couples. But for now, it's time to celebrate.

Tomorrow is the day...

I love this picture. It's Barack Obama and his maternal grandparents at his high school graduation. It's such a statement about who Obama is. And all the love and hope his grandma has for him, and the pride his grandfather has, and how the differences in their skin color is just so irrelevant. It gives me hope. And all my complaints about Obama's policies on this thing or that thing, we'll have plenty of time in the future to struggle over those. For now, the thing is, he's got to win. He's got to.

Barack Obama for President

Storyteller David Sedaris:

"I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”

"To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked." (quoted on JMG Blog)

For me the decision is clear, as much as chicken isn't always my first choice. Barack Obama for President!