THE 2016 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION - POSITIVE, PURPOSEFUL, AND POWERFUL - PART II

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

There is absolutely no way to encapsulate the excitement and energy that permeated the 2016 Democratic National Convention.  And few realized the impact that it's presence in Philadelphia had on many of the younger citizens who live here.  I was on the subway heading to Center City - Market Street - when I overheard a young girl - aged 9 - ask her grandmother whether or not Donald Trump was going to be in Philadelphia.  The grandmother stated that he probably wouldn't come to Philadelphia because people don't like him very much here.  The granddaughter then replied: "I wish he would come here to  Philadelphia," which shocked the grandmother and prompted her to ask why she wanted Trump to come here.  "So I can throw rotten tomatoes at him, so we can throw eggs at him because he's evil.  I want him to come so I can hit him upside the head with a tomato with a worm in it."  The entire subway fell out laughing - but this little girl was totally serious.  So her grandmother told her that Trump would not be there, but that President Obama, Hillary Clinton and other important people would be.  So she immediately asked if she could go.  "I want to see President Obama so I can hug him and tell him how much I love him and Ms. Obama."  After that, I had to jump in and tell them about the different programs that she could attend at the Convention Center.  I couldn't guarantee that she would meet President Obama, but she could pick up some really nice things with his and the First Lady's pictures on them.

I don't know whether they attended any of the venues, but judging from this little lady's enthusiasm and focus, I'm pretty sure she was able to get her grandmother to go along.

Folks, if you think our kids aren't paying attention to what's going on, you're totally wrong.  Multiply that little girl by hundreds of thousands across the US who are daily exposed either directly or vicariously to the evil and hate spewed out by T-rump and his cronies.  He's frightening and angering our children!

Someone said, on Facebook, that they hated the election because they were told to vote for Hillary to keep T-rump from becoming president; that Hillary was the lesser of two evils.  I totally beg to differ - Hillary is not now, nor has she ever been "evil."  So let's stop that one right now.  She is the better of three choices - and has always been so.  In choosing between T-rump, Bernie, or no vote at all - she is the clear victor because her track record - not the one portrayed by the repuglycons and the mean stream media - but real, proven 40+ year track record of service and advocacy stands for it self. The best thing to do is to not watch the meanstream media's constant barrage of garbage, and begin to do your own homework.

It had been speculated that Cory Booker was being considered as Hillary Clinton's running mate; however they needed him to remain in his position as US Senator from the State of New Jersey.

US SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY - CORY BOOKER 

 I am including the link to Cory Booker's speech from July 25,  here, because there were just too many pithy points made to summarize it adequately: http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/07/dnc_2016_what_njs_booker_told_the_delegates.html

Most don't realize that the Democratic National Convention is as much about business as it is about nominating a viable presidential candidate.  To that end, Marcia L. Fudge, who is now the permanent chair of the Democratic Party (replacing Debbie Wasserman Schultz), opened the meeting on Monday by stating:  "We have assembled an extraordinary collection of Americans here n this arena.  We have traveled thousands of miles, and we are representing the millions of Democrats who, come this November, are going to make their voices heard.  We have a choice - a profound choice, this Novembr, and we have to make this choice in a time when the nation finds itself at the crossroads of history and hope.  A time of great promise, progress and potential; but also a time of social unrest, hate speeches and war.  Hillary Clinton was born for such a time as this."

MARCIA FUDGE 

She continued after applause: "And that is why we are going to have a different kind of convention than the one we saw in Cleveland last week.  Because Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine want to bold an economy that works for everyone - not just the people at the top of an economy where everyone else falls short.  Where, if you work hard,  you can get ahead and stay ahead.  Hillary and Tim want to bring steady and stable leadership to the world.  They will work wit our allies to keep America and the rest of the world safe and secure.  Hillary and Tim want an America where there are no barriers to opportunity, equality or justice."

 During this time that the crowd began to become raucous, drowning out most of what Ms. Fudge was trying to impart causing her to literally depart from her address and speak in a strict tone to the audience:  "Excuse me! Excuse me!  this will be a convention where we lift each other up and where every voice, regardless of arc, religion, or sexual orientation is heard and respected.   Over the next four days we are going to hear from the leaders of our country and the future of our party.  We're going to unite and we're going to make history; and we're going to do everything we can to elect Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine.  Hillary! This is your time!"

As the crowd continued to wave No TPP banners, Ms. Fudge again attempted to bring decorum to the arena: "Delegates, Democrats may I just make a point.  There are many of you that do not know me n this room. But let me say to you, I intend to be fair; I want to hear the varying opinions here. I'm gong to be respectful of you, and I want you to be respectful of me.  We're all Democrats, and we need to act like it!"

She then announced her appointees to help her in maintaining decorum throughout the convention:  Convention Vice Chairs, Parliamentarians, Sergeants at Arms, Door keepers and Time keepers - "Each of these officials is dedicated to strengthening our communities and our country.  They share Hillary Clinton's and Tim Kaine's positive change mission and will be impactful messengers for the campaign moving forward."

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To further add context to the work of the delegates at the convention and going forward, this, in part are the principles and mission adopted by the 2016 Democratic National Convention:

THIS WAS ADOPTED A WEEK BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION:

1. Raise Incomes and Restore Economic Security for the Middle Class

Raising Workers’ Wages; Protecting Workers’ Fundamental Rights; Supporting Working Families;

Helping More Workers Share in Near-Record Corporate Profits; Expanding Access to Affordable

Housing and Homeownership; Protecting and Expanding SOCIAL SECURITY; Ensuring a Secure and

Dignified Retirement; Revitalizing Our Nation’s Postal Service 


2. Create Good-Paying Jobs:  Building 21st Century Infrastructure; Fostering a Manufacturing Renaissance; Creating Good-Paying Clean Energy Jobs; Pursuing Our Innovation Agenda: Science, Research, Education,and Technology; Supporting America’s Small Businesses; Creating Jobs for America’s Young People


3. Fight for Economic Fairness and Against Inequality:

Reining in Wall Street and Fixing our Financial System;  Promoting Competition by Stopping Corporate

Concentration; Making the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share of Taxes; Promoting Trade That is Fair and Benefits American Workers 


4. Bring Americans Together and Remove Barriers to Opportunities

Ending Systemic Racism;  Closing the Racial Wealth Gap ; Reforming our Criminal Justice System; Fixing

our Broken Immigration System; Guaranteeing Civil Rights.; Guaranteeing Women’s Rights; Guaranteeing

Rights for People with Disabilities ;Respecting Faith and Service; Investing in Rural America; Ending Poverty and Investing in Communities Left Behind;  Building Strong Cities and Metro Areas; Promoting Arts and Culture; Honoring Indigenous Tribal Nations;  Fighting for the People of Puerto RicoHonoring the People of the Territories 

5. Protect Voting Rights, Fix Our Campaign Finance System, and Restore Our Democracy 

Protecting Voting Rights; Fixing Our Broken Campaign Finance System; Appointing Judges Securing Statehood for Washington, D.C; Strengthening Management of Federal Government 


6. Combat Climate Change, Build a Clean Energy Economy, and Secure Environmental Justice  Building a Clean Energy Economy; Securing Environmental and Climate Justice;  Protecting Our Public Lands and Waters (SOMEHOW THEY COULD NOT COME TOGETHER ON BANNING FRACKING WHICH IS DESTROYING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT - SMH)


7. Provide Quality and Affordable Education

Making Debt-Free College a Reality; Providing Relief from Crushing Student Debt; Supporting &;

PROTECTING Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions;  

Cracking Down on Predatory For-Profit Schools; Guaranteeing Universal Preschool and Good Schools for Every Child (RESTORE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL TRAINING IN HIGH SCHOOLS)

8. Ensure the Health and Safety of All Americans;

Securing Universal Health Care; Supporting Community Health Centers; Reducing Prescription Drug Costs; Enabling Cutting-Edge Medical Research; Combating Drug and Alcohol Addiction; Treating Mental

Health(ILLNESSES); Supporting Those Living with Autism and their Families; Securing Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice; Ensuring Long-Term Care, Services, and Supports; Protecting and Promoting Public Health   Ending Violence Against Women; Preventing Gun Violence 


9. Principled Leadership 

Support Our Troops and Keep Faith with Our Veterans  Defense Spending; Veterans and Service Members; Military Families; A Strong Military;

10: Confront Global Threats: Terrorism:  Syria,  Afghanistan 

11.Protect Our Values: Women and Girls;  LGBT People;.Trafficking and Modern Slavery; Young People;  Religious Minorities.;Refugees; Civil Society; Anti-Corruption; Torture;Closing Guantánamo Bay; Development Assistance; Global;  

Health;  HIV and AIDS  (PREVENTION/CURE); International Labor.;

12. A Leader in the World: Asia-Pacific; Middle East; Europe;  Americas; Africa;  Global Economy and Institutions.

___________________________________   ###__________________________________________________

This and more are what Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine stand for during this election year - it's not exhaustive, and can be expanded as the campaign goes forward - but gives some serious context to what they stand for.  

Now, moving forward to days two and three of the Democratic National Convention 2016 in Philadelphia -

Civil Rights Hero and Congressman, John Lewis, seconded the official nomination of Hillary Clinton to represent the Democrats as their presidential candidates.  He  stated "there are forces in America that want to take us backwards. They want to undo 50 years of progress this Nation has made under Democratic leadership. We’ve come too far. We’ve made too much progress and we’re not going back, we’re going forward. That’s why we all must go to the polls in November and vote like we never, ever voted before.  Eight years ago, our party nominated and elected the first person of color to ever serve in the White House not just for one, but two terms.

JOHN LEWIS

Tonight we will shatter that glass ceiling again. We’re the party of tomorrow, and we will build a true democracy in America.  I must tell you, I have known Hillary Clinton for many years. She is one of the most qualified candidates to ever run for president. She is a leader, sometimes sailing against the wind to break down the barriers that divide us. She’s smart, just smart. She could have done anything with her life, but she decided long ago she didn’t want to just do well, she wanted to do good. And so she has dedicated her life to public service and building a better America.   I give you a leader who can unite us as a nation, a leader who can break down barriers and build a better future for every American. She will fight for us all with her heart, soul, and mind.  My fellow Democrats, I am pleased to second the nomination of Hillary Rodham Clinton as our party’s candidate for President of the United States."

Last year, at the 2015 Congressional Black Caucus, Rev. Al Sharpton honored the mothers of the victims of police violence at his National Action Network reception.  I can't help but think he may have been instrumental in bringing these brave mothers together to address the DNC.  The recent tragedies in Louisiana, Dallas as well as throughout the US, has heightened the awareness for the necessity of the elimination of domestic weapons of mass destruction whether in the hands of law enforcement officers or law violators.  

They have formed an organization called MOTHERS OF THE MOVEMENT: Sybrina Fulton: Trayvon Martin's mom; Geneva Reed -Veal: Sandra Bland's mom; Lucia McBath: Jordan Davis' mom; Gwen Carr: Eric Garner's mom; Cleopatra Pendleton: Hadiya Pendleton's mom; Maria Hamilton: Dontre Hamilton's mom; Lezley McSpadden: Michael Brown's mom; and Wanda Johnson: Oscar Grant's mom.  

MOTHERS OF THE MOVEMENT

Three of the mothers spoke through their pain, and explained why they were supporting Hillary Clinton: 

Geneva Reed-Veal, Sandra Bland's mom, stated: "One year ago yesterday, I lived the worst nightmare anyone could imagine. I watched as my daughter, Sandra Bland, was lowered into the ground in a coffin.  Sandy, my fourth of five daughters, was gone. No, not on administrative leave, but on permanent leave from this earth, found hanging in a jail cell after an unlawful traffic stop and an unlawful arrest.  I'm here with Hillary Clinton because she is a leader and a mother who will say our children’s names. Hillary knows that when a young black life is cut short, it’s not just a personal loss. It is a national loss. It is a loss that diminishes all of us."

When she named six other women who had died in custody that same month - Kindra Chapman, Alexis McGovern, Sarah Lee Circle Bear, Raynette Turner, Ralkina Jones and Joyce Curnell  - the entire arena gasped.  I'm sure none of us were aware of the fact that there is clearly a pattern to these deaths.  Also while I'm writing this, I recently found out that Sandra Bland was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority - I want to offer condolences to her family and her sorors as well.  As Ms. Geneva Reed-Veal stated:  "So many of our children gone but not forgotten."

Lucia McBath, Jordan Davis' mom, stated that she didn't stop being a parent the day his life ended, but that she woke up every morning thinking of him and how to protect him and his legacy.  Jordan was shot because he was "playing loud music."  "Here’s what you don’t know about my son. When Jordan was little, he wouldn’t eat a popsicle unless he had enough to bring out to his friends. He loved practical jokes. He liked having deep conversations about our love for God and why He allows suffering and pain.  I lived in fear my son would die like this. I even warned him that because he was a young, black man, he would meet people who didn’t value his life. That is a conversation no parent should ever have to have.  Hillary Clinton isn’t afraid to say black lives matter. She isn’t afraid to sit at a table with grieving mothers and bear the full force of our anguish. She doesn’t build walls around her heart. Not only did she listen to our problems, she invited us to become part of the solution.  And that’s what we're going to do. We’re going to keep telling our children’s stories and urging you to say their names. We’re going to keep building a future where police officers and communities of color work together in mutual respect to keep children, like Jordan, safe. Because the majority of police officers are good people doing a good job."

She concluded by saying that they are going to continue using their voices and votes to support Hillary and other leaders like her  who will help in protecting families, until there is no longer a need for a club of heartbroken mothers.

SYBRINA FULTON, MOTHER OF TRAYVON MARTIN 

Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's mom, whom I met three years ago at the National Urban League's conference in Philadelphia, stated:  "I am an unwilling participant in this movement. I would not have signed up for this. None of us would have. But I am here today for my son, Trayvon Martin, who is in heaven. And for my other son, Jahvaris, who is still here on earth.  I didn’t want this spotlight. But will I do everything I can to focus some of that light on a path out of this darkness.  Hillary Clinton has the compassion and understanding to comfort a grieving mother. She has the courage to lead the fight for common-sense gun legislation. And she has a plan to repair the divide that so often exists between law enforcement and the communities they serve.  This isn’t about being politically correct. It’s about protecting our children.  That’s why we’re here tonight with Hillary Clinton. And that’s why, in the memory of our children, we are imploring you—all of you—to vote in this election. Hillary is the one mother who can ensure our movement will succeed.  We leave you what God has given us, strength and peace."

Each of these ladies received a standing ovation from the audience.

 

FORMER US PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON

Clnton called his wife and presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton: The best candidate for president because “Well, she's insatiably curious, she's a natural leader, she's a good organizer, and she's the best darn change-maker I ever met in my entire life."

"Look, this is a really important point. This is a really important point for you to take out of this convention.:  If you believe in making change from the bottom up, if you believe the measure of change is how many people's lives are better, you know it's hard and some people think it's boring. Speeches like this are fun.  Actually doing the work is hard. So people say, well, we need to change. She's been around a long time, she sure has, and she's sure been worth every single year she's put into making people's lives better.

"When I became president with a commitment to reform health care, Hillary was a natural to head the

health care task force. You all know we failed because we couldn't break a Senate filibuster. Hillary

immediately went to work on solving the problems the bill sought to address one by one. The most

important goal was to get more children with health insurance. (ALSO BECAUSE THE CHAUVINISTS WANTED HER TO TAKE A BACK SEAT AND JUST BE A TROPHY WIFE).

"In 1997, Congress passed the Children's Health Insurance Program, still an important part of President Obama's Affordable Care Act. It insures more than 8 million kids. she became the first senator in the history of New York ever to serve on the Armed Services Committee. So she tried to make sure people on the battlefield had proper equipment. She tried to expand and did  expand health care coverage to Reservists and members of the National Guard. She got longer family leave,

working with Senator Dodd, for people caring for wounded service members. And she worked for more extensive care for people with traumatic brain injury. She also served on a special Pentagon commission to propose changes necessary to meet our new security challenges.

Now, how does this square? How did this square with the things that you heard at the Republican convention? What's the difference in what I told you and what they said? How do you square it? You can't. One is real, the other is made up. You just have to decide. You just have to decide which is which, my fellow Americans. "

Bill Clinton Addresses the Convention 

Calling Donald Trump a cartoon, he stated, “The real one had done more positive change-making before she was 30 than many public officials do in a lifetime in office. And so I say to you, if you love this country, you're working hard, you're paying taxes and you're obeying the law and you'd like to become a citizen, you should choose immigration reform over somebody that wants to send you back. If you're a Muslim and you love America and freedom and you hate terror, stay here and help

us win and make a future together. We want you. If you're a young African American disillusioned and afraid, we saw in Dallas how great our police officers can be, help us build a future where nobody is afraid to walk outside, including the people that wear blue to protect our future Hillary will make us stronger together. You know it because she's spent a lifetime doing it. I hope you will do it. I hope you

will elect her. Those of us who have more yesterdays than tomorrows tend to care more about our children and grandchildren.

The reason you should elect her is that in the greatest country on earth we have always been about tomorrow. You children and grandchildren will bless you forever if you do. God bless you. Thank you.

FULL TRANSCRIPT OF BILL CLINTON'S SPEECH:  

http://time.com/4425599/dnc-bill-clinton-speech-transcript-video/

Riding back to the convention center, after such a stirring evening, I had the great good fortune to be sitting across from The Hon. Mayor David N. Dinkins of New York and H. Carl McCall, former New York State Comptroller: 

H.CARL McCALL - Former NY State Comptroller

Former New York City Mayor DAVID N. DINKINS 

BACK STAGE AT THE CONVENTION WITH GAYLE KING 

Two Delta Sigma Theta Sorors staffing the Urban League's Booth

Dr. Julianne Malveaux at the Unity 16 Workshop

Tried to catch up with my Oklahoma Homies while they were there for the convention, but they were staying at a hotel way out in Valley Forge - so this is as close as I could get.LOL

My New York Homies stayed at the Loews - 1 Block away from the PA Convention Center - this is their Donkey who is still standing in front. 

THE 2016 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION - POSITIVE, PURPOSEFUL, AND POWERFUL - PART I

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

All I can say about the Democratic National Convention is:  WHAT A FANTASTIC PARTY THIS IS!!!  The Democrats have it over the Repulycons hands down!  Contrast the Democratic National Convention to the Republicans National Convention.  What a breath of fresh air - literally!  

Hillary Clinton not only knocked it out of the park with her acceptance speech, but over the moon and back!!

But, before I  go any further, I truly want to give credit where credit is due, and that is to Sister Rev. LEAH DAUGHTRY!!  The sister outdid herself - she managed the Denver Dem Convention beautifully - but she totally launched the  Philadelphia  event into orbit.  With all the coordination it took to bring it down to the culmination of President to Be Hillary Clinton's acceptance speech last night (and I have not been to sleep yet; and have absolutely no vocal chords left); the euphoria of the experience in Philadelphia will be remembered for years to come. 

REV. LEAH DAUGHTRY

Secondly, Philadelphia and Philadelphians must be congratulated.  They rolled out the red carpet all over the place - there were over 300 events going on throughout the city - many of course running concurrently - showcasing the beauty, historicity, and friendliness of the city - which lived up to it's motto:  "The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection!"  And within that, you definitely have to thank former Philadelphia Mayor, Michael N. Nutter for winning the bid to have the convention in Philly, and Mayor Jim Kinney for making sure things went forward as planned. Lots of proud to go around.

Even with the hiccups  - and there were several - this has to be deemed an overwhelming, monumental success.  And those who watched it on TV and online, could not even begin to understand how fantastic it felt to actually be a part of this truly history making, monumental event.  For me - this is my fourth Democratic National Convention Coverage - it almost ties for first place with being in Denver, Colorado for the nomination of the first Black man to become President of the United States - President Barack Obama. I feel as if I'm in a privileged space to be here covering the nomination of the first woman for the office of President, Hillary Rodham Clinton. 

As I watched the balloons come streaming down from the ceiling of the Wells Fargo Arena, and looked around at the thousands of people all chanting "HILLARY! HILLARY!"  I could not help but compare it to the sinister scenes from the previous week, and be quite happy that I'M WITH HER.

For most people the Democratic National Convention is a lot of ballyhoo - people getting together for partying four days.  But for those of us in the media this is day 230 - primarily because we started planning for this as far back as December of 2015 - when we did the first walk through the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia.  And make no mistake about it, this state of the art venue is huge and multi-layered - from the event floor where the speakers were presenting - to the nosebleed level where yours truly almost got stuck because the small independent media outlets kept getting bumped to accommodate the overwhelming number who attended night after night.  

But if we, of the media have been planning for the DNC for 226 days, then the Rev. Leah Daughtry, CEO of the Democratic National Convention, had been planning for it for well over 365 + days.  And what a fantastic job she has done in taking raw arena space and transforming it into the most amazing and opulent platform from which to showcase the many political and social entities,  producing a backdrop for the first woman to be President of the United States, HILLARY CLINTON. 

Everything, down to the minutest details has been - to the extent humanly possible - brought to bear to make this a wonderful, opulent, powerful, impactful - and unforgettable - success -  from signage, to transportation and accommodations, placards, workshops and special events -  all have been skillfully coordinated to engage the convention-goers, and simultaneously highlight the many wonderful attractions and venues in the City of Brotherly Love.

WELLS FARGO ARENA TRANSFORMED INTO THE DNC

An estimated 50 thousand people came to  Philadelphia - many of whom arrived on Saturday, July 23; as well as a goodly number of the media, like yours truly, to be a part of this historic occasion.  We came together  to put the threat of fascism and tyranny represented by the repuglycon party and their orange faced comb-over ersatz presidential candidate - D. T-Rump - on notice - this is an America -  of, by, and for the People - real people - human, humane, diverse and unified, regardless of their walk of life, around the principles of quality equality, peace, progress, prosperity - and the end of bigotry and brutality.

These are some of the excerpts from some of the key speakers at the Democratic National Convention. There were

hundreds of speakers who addressed the Delegates over the four-day convention, which started each day

at 4:30 and culminated around 11:30 PM. Averaging 30 + speakers a day, trying to quote each of them is exhaustive.

 

Each had something relevant and important to relate, some in support of Hillary Clinton, others highlighting

issues of relevance to their own situation, or that of their community or constituency. Additionally, while the

speakers were addressing the delegates and their supporters at the Wells Fargo Arena, there were key workshops

taking place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and surrounding venues; as well as receptions and

recreational/entertainment activities hosted at a variety of Philadelphia places of interest – including the

Philadelphia Museum of Art, the African American Museum, Independence Plaza, the Kimmel Center – a

total of 200 ancillary events were going on simultaneously – more than enough for the over 50,000

conventioneers and locals from Philly, Camden, New York and Delaware, who also came to be part of this

historic occasion. The logistics alone boggles the mind – and it took herculean energy and effort to make

even one quarter of the planned events.

Day One, July 25, 2016

The demonstrators were out early, causing traffic snarls down Broad Street, the main corridor leading to the

Pennsylvania Convention Center.  The closer you got to the center, the worse it got.  We were informed that

it was a combination of the arrival of the delegates for the Convention, demonstrators, and regular rush hour

traffic.  

This was pretty much the case throughout the first three days - things had calmed down somewhat by Thursday,

when Hillary Clinton was to speak.

In addition to clearing security, finding your way around the Convention Center was a challenge - it actually

spans a composite of 12 blocks - from 10th street to Broad; and from Arch Street to Race!! with bridges and

overpasses connecting it to key venues such as the Marriott Downtown Hotel, SEPTA REGIONAL RAIL STATION,

Reading Terminal, and other historic venues.  Even with full carpeting, it's quite a walk!! 

Concurrent workshops, displays, venues and entertainment took place at the Convention Center - quite an

undertaking, when you consider that there were at least 20+ workshops running concurrently from one end of the

venue to the other.

I covered the Voter Registration Workshop, which focused on such key issues as Voter ID, Voter Supression, the

Supreme Court decision which eviscerated the voter rights act, and how to get out the vote and get voters to the

polls.   Of key interest was the involvement of Fraternities and Sororities in the voter registration process. 

Representatives from some of the Divine Nine, including   AKA, Sigma Gamma Rho, Zeta Phi Beta, Phi Beta

Sigma, Alpha Phi Alpha, and Kappa Alpha Psi, already have plans in place to roll out voter registration processes,

as well as to provide vans to transport voters who had mobility challenges, or were elderly, to the polls.  

Dr. Julianne Malveaux

(L-R): Pennsylvania State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown &Me

Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Roland Martin, Vanessa Lowery Brown, and others spoke of the need to make each of the next 104 days count in aggressively urging young adults and seniors to register and vote.   One of the key measures adopted at the workshop - and one I have been advocating for decades - is to make sure that every teen who is reaching his orher 18th birthday prior to the November 8 General Election, is given a birthday card and a voter registration card at the same time.  They get their birthday gift only after they have completed the voter registration card, and it has been turned in to the Bureau of Voter Registration.  

Contrasting the Republycon National Convention, the camaraderie at the Democratic National Convention was refreshing and invigorating.  More smiles than frowns, even when things got mixed up - and they did - people were more in a mode to cooperate or overlook, than to condemn or complain.  

SEPTA provided transportation from the Convention Center to Wells Fargo Arena, with Homeland Security and the Secret Service riding shotgun upfront.  The truly interesting thing to me was how much of a national, cooperative effort this event was. 

 

Volunteers had come from as far away as Montana;  Washington State, Louisiana, Connecticut, Florida - and they were

congenial, patient, positive, helpful, cheerful.  They made you want to stay in touch. They wore color coordinated Tee

Shirts that represented their level of service - from Blue for the Convention Center; Yellow for Security; Red for Transportation and mobility. 

There were those wearing green for recycling and composting food that was not consumed, to ensure nothing was wasted.  

Prior to the First Lady and Bernie Sanders speaking, the focus was on immigration, and the millions of refugees who are

currently either here in the United States, or seeking asylum from persecution and internal strife in their country. 

Each speaker paid tribute to Bernie Sanders for his efforts and accomplishments in running against Hillary Clinton - it was as

though they were somehow trying to placate his supporters, many of whom were still looking for an 11th hour challenge to

Hillary's candidacy. 

MICHELLE OBAMA: Spoke of how she and President Obama tried to instill certain values in their daughters, Malia and Sasha:

“We urge them to ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith; we insist that the hateful language they hear

from public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country; when someone is cruel, or acts like a bully,

you don’t stoop to their leveL-– no, our motto is, when they go low, we go high; we know our kids are watching us.

Parents are their most important role models.” 

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

She later stated, “Barack and I, as President and First Lady, know that our words and actions matter to children across 
this country –-  In this election there is only one person who I trust with that responsibility, only one person who I believe 
is truly qualified to be President of the United States, and that is our friend, Hillary Clinton.   Her lifelong devotion to our 
nation’s children –- not just her own daughter, who she has raised to perfection - but every child who needs a champion.  
Hillary has spent decades advocating for kids with disabilities as a young lawyer. Fighting for children’s health care as First Lady; 
and for quality child care in the Senate.” 

“And when she didn’t win the nomination eight years ago, she  didn’t get angry or disillusioned;  pack up and go home. 
Because as a true public servant, Hillary knows that this is so much bigger than her own desires and disappointments. 
So she proudly stepped up to serve our country once again as Secretary of State, traveling the globe to keep our kids safe.  
She never buckles under pressure.  She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in 
her life. The proven strength to persevere. Someone who knows this job and takes it seriously. Someone who understands that the 
issues a President faces are not black and white and cannot be boiled down to 140 characters.(Contrast to Trump).  Because 
when you have the nuclear codes at your fingertips and the military in your command, you can’t make snap decisions.
You can’t have a thin skin or a tendency to lash out. (Contrast to Trump).  You need to be steady, and measured, and 
well informed. “

The First Lady defined the role of the President:  “It’s about leaving something better for our kids. That’s how we’ve always moved 
this country forward –- by all of us coming together on behalf of our children; a record of public service, whose life’s work shows our 
children that we don’t chase fame and fortune for ourselves, we fight to give everyone a chance to succeed; 
and we give back, even when we’re struggling ourselves, because we know that there is always someone worse off, and 
there but for the grace of God go I.”

She later added: “We are all created equal, each a beloved part of the great American story. And when crisis hits, we don’t turn against each other -– no, we listen to each other. We lean on each other. Because we are always stronger together. And I am here tonight because I know that that is the kind of president that Hillary Clinton will be. And that’s why, in this election, I’m with her.” (The audience roared with applause)

The First Lady then spoke of the legacy of slavery, from which she and her family and most African Americans are 
descended, by stating: “That is the story of this country - of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of 
servitude, the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be done so that today, 
I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves and I watch my daughters -two beautiful, intelligent, Black 
young women –- playing with their dogs on the White House lawn. And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters –- and all 
our sons and daughters -– now take for granted that a woman can be President of the United States.  This, right now, is the 
greatest country on earth. 

She concluded by issuing a charge to the audience: “So in this election, we cannot sit back and hope that everything works out for the best. We cannot afford to be tired, or frustrated, or cynical. No, hear me!! Between now and November, we need to do what we did eight years ago and four years ago: Knock on every door. Get out every vote. Pour every last ounce of our passion and our strength and our love for this country into electing Hillary Clinton as President of the United States of America.” 

 

BERNIE SANDERS:  After a raucus 10 minute ovation throughout the arena from his supporters, who waved their banners and shouted 
“Bernie! Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” drowning out their leader,  Sanders was finally able to speak.  He thanked everybody for their support; 
and First Lady Michelle Obama, who had spoken prior to him, for her service to the country (some of the supporters booed).
Sanders:  “Let me begin by thanking the 13 million Americans who voted for the political revolution.  (more raucus cheering delaying the 
speech an additional five minutes) giving us the 1,856 pledged delegates here tonight!”

 
After stating that no one was more disappointed in the outcome of the primary than he, Sanders went on to state that he trusted Hillary Clinton 
to be the president the nation needed moving forward. “I hope you take enormous pride in the historical accomplishment we have achieved.  
Together my friends, we have begun a political revolution to transform America, and that revolution, our revolution, continues! Election days 
come and go, but the struggle of the people to create a government which represents all of us and not just the one percent, a government based 
on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice, that struggle continues! “

“Let me be as clear as I can be. This election is not about and has never been about Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders or any of the other candidates who sought the presidency. This election is not about political gossip, it's not about polls, it's not about campaign strategy, it is not about all the things that the media spends so much time discussing. This election is about and must be about the needs of the American people and the kind of future we create for our children and our grandchildren. This election is about ending the 40-year decline of our middle class.
The reality that 47 million men, women and children today live in poverty.”

Bernie Sanders at the 2016 Democratic National Convention

Sanders attempted to redirect the focus of his supporters to what really matters in the upcoming November 8 election: “If we do not transform our economy, our younger generation will likely have a lower standard of living than their parents. This election is about ending the grotesque level of income and wealth inequality in America today!  That is unacceptable. That must change. This election is about remembering where we were seven-and-a-half years ago when
President Obama came into office after eight years of Republican trickle-down economics (Cheers/Applause)
“The Republicans want us to forget that as a result of the greed, recklessness and illegal behavior on Wall Street our economy was in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. That's where we were. That is where we were. Some 800,000 people a month were losing their jobs. We were running up a record- breaking deficit of $1.4 trillion. The world's financial system was on the verge of collapse. That's where we were when President Obama came into office.”

He continued after the uproar that constantly and continuously disrupted his speech: “We need leadership in this country, which will improve the lives of working families, the children, the elderly, the sick and the poor. We need leadership which brings our people together and makes us stronger. Not leadership which insults Latinos and Mexicans, insults Muslims and women, African Americans and veterans and seeks to divide us up. By these measures,
any objective observer will conclude that based on her ideas and her leadership, Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States.  Hillary Clinton understands that if someone in this country works 40 hours a week, that person should not be living in poverty and that we must raise the minimum wage to a living wage; she is determined to create millions of new jobs by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, our roads, bridges, water systems and wastewater plants. But Donald Trump does not support raising the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, a starvation wage. Trump believes in huge tax breaks, huge tax breaks for billionaires, he believes that states should actually have the right to lower the minimum wage below $7.25.  Brothers and sisters, this election is about overturning Citizens United! one of the worst Supreme Court decisions in the history of our country which allows the wealthiest people in America, like the billionaire Koch brothers to spend hundreds of millions of dollars buying elections and in the process undermine American democracy. Hillary Clinton will nominate justices to the Supreme Court who are prepared to overturn Citizens United and end the movement toward oligarchy that we are seeing in this country.  Her Supreme Court appointments will also defend a woman's right to choose, workers' rights, the rights of the LGBT community, the needs of African Americans (I put that in myself, folks - we are not "minorities"), minorities and immigrants and the government's ability to protect our environment.

"If you don't believe that this election is important, if you think you can sit it out, take a moment to think about the Supreme Court justices that Donald Trump would nominate and what that would mean to civil liberties, equal rights and the future of our country.

"It's about moving the United States toward universal health care and reducing the number of people who are uninsured or under-insured; all Americans have the right to choose a public option in their health care exchange anyone 55 or older should be able to opt-in to Medicare.

"And what is Donald Trump's position on health care? contempt for working families. He wants to abolish the Affordable Care Act, throw 20 million people off of health insurance,and cut Medicaid for lower-income Americans.
"Hillary Clinton also understands that millions of seniors, disabled vets and others are struggling with the outrageously high cost of prescription drugs and the fact that Americans pay the highest prices in the world for the medicine we use. She knows that Medicare must negotiate drug prices with the pharmaceutical industry. And that drug companies should not be making billions in profit when one out of five Americans are unable to afford the medicine
they need. The greed of the drug companies must end!

"This election is about the leadership we need to pass comprehensive immigration reform and repair a broken criminal justice system.
"Our job now is to see that platform implemented by a Democratic Senate, a Democratic House and a Hillary Clinton presidency – and I am going to do everything I can to make that happen.
"I have known Hillary Clinton for 25 years. I remember her as a great first lady who broke precedent in terms of the role that a first lady was supposed to play as she helped lead the fight for universal health care. I served with her in the United States Senate and know her as a fierce advocate for the rights of children. Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her here tonight. (A combination of jeers intermixed
with cheers as he declared his support of Hillary Clinton for President).” 
 
As we exited the Wells Fargo Arena for the shuttle buses to transport us back to the Convention Center, there were several Bernie supporters (or former Bernie Supporters) blocking the media centers with signs stating that a vote for Hillary was a vote for Trump – about 50 of them were chanting anti-Hillary Chants. Some defiantly stood on the sidelines holding up their Bernie Sanders placards as we boarded the buses.

One or two Hillary supporters tried to speak with them and say, we're working together now. There should be no division, but there appeared to be some lingering hostility among many of the supporters that evening. Happily it had pretty much dissipated by the end of the convention.

NY City Council Rep. Laurie Cumbo carrying Michelle Obama Banner