I didn’t get a chance to see much of the McCain speech from the floor. I have been running around this evening on the last night of the Convention.
I had a chance to speak with Mr. Charles Hallman of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. This is the oldest and largest African-American paper in Minnesota. I was late getting to this appointment because my schedule was slammed pack (no comments on CP time, thank you! J ) but eventually I got there.
Mr. Hallman heard my interview earlier on XM Radio and wanted a chance to speak with me. He did not want to “take much of my time since you have bigger outlets to talk to.”
I had to break it down.
If I come to the RNC Convention as one of the only young Black people on site as a Republican activist but can not talk to the Black press, then why the hell am I talking to anyone at all?
I told Mr. Hallman that he had my undivided attention for as long as he wanted it.
I won’t know if I was published and, even if I was, how much of my comments Mr. Hallman used. I just know that it was gratifying to be able to give back to someone in the Black community – in this sense, by giving Mr. Hallman a story he was looking for but didn’t think that he would get. Granted, I had just finished a segment on Armstrong Williams’ show earlier in the day (along with Mayor David Dhillon, a fine man and strong leader), but as far as I am concerned, there is nothing like doing something with the Black press, particularly the smaller outlets. So much of the movement starts at the grassroots level. If we do not connect with everyday people, how do we expect to serve everyday people in government?
Every leader must also be the guy that sweeps the floors.
Every leader must also be the woman that cleans the windows.
I hope that Mr. Hallman got a good feeling from the interview. I was honored to do it.
Soon after, I was off to fill another request, again another prime time spot. This time, I got a chance to sit with a living legend in TV journalism:
I was asked to be on “ABC News NOW” for a primetime webcast with Sam Donaldson.
I was on a political show on the biggest night of the year so far for the Republican Party with a living TV political icon...and they were asking me for my opinion...
...and I almost fell asleep during make-up as the make-up artist worked my tired face...
Then, I remembered – I wasn’t just up there representing myself...
...I represented my grandmother McAllister who raised 12 children alone during the 1930s and 1940s while procuring her GED and nursing degree...
...and my mother, who almost died giving birth to me...
...and my dad, who fought off pain and infection for 11 months in a hospital room to overcome injuries from an attempted robbery....
...and people that invested in me with their time and resources, wisdom and love...
...and the folks at The Root that have been very supportive over the past few weeks in getting our message and thoughts out there...
...and, of course, you – folks that want to see more of our demographic out there, relevant in the political conversation, especially when it comes to Republicans.
I became rejuvenated and excited.
I was introduced. I was interviewed. I was asked for my opinions on Palin and the Republican direction.
In primetime, no less.
I went on. It went great. I had fun. It felt natural.
And Sam Donaldson shook my hand afterwards and said that he really enjoyed having me on the show.
If he only knew that I wasn’t the only one up there during that segment.
