The Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday night with the theme United Together. The speakers included Sen. Al Franken, Sen. Eva Longoria, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and last but not least, Michelle Obama.
The ultimate goal of the DNC is to bring the party together and the task at hand is not a simple one. Bernie Sanders' supporters showed up to the convention with a 'Bernie or Bust' mentality and every time a speaker would mention voting for Hillary Clinton in November, loud chants would break out.
For example, Sara Silverman, actress, and comedian, told the crowd: "To all the Bernie or Bust people you're being ridiculous." This didn't help to silence them because when Elizabeth Warren took the stage, chants of "we trusted you" started. This comes because of her switch from Bernie Sanders to Hillary Clinton. She had formally endorsed Bernie and was one of his biggest cheerleaders in the primary elections. Bernie's supporters feel as though she betrayed their trust by now supporting Hillary Clinton.
Even after Bernie's speech on Monday night, party unity still seems like a very complex mission. But for a great deal of the night, there was unity. This unity came after Michelle Obama delivered an honest, heartwarming and thought-provoking speech. Michelle spoke with great dignity and she delivered a message that people of all races, social or economic backgrounds could understand and relate to.
She spoke about how she and Barack raised their daughters and how impactful it was that they grew up in the white house and how this formed the foundation of what type of young women they would become. She acknowledged that their most important role as parents to their girls was role model. Not only for their girls but for kids around the world.
In today's world, nothing that a public figure does goes away. It either makes its way to TV or more likely to social media. The importance of what the kids of America see in public figures is that what they see them do, will influence the decisions they make. They shouldn't see grown men making fun of women, minorities, or people with disabilities. Making fun of people wasn't right when you were in 3rd grade and it's not okay when you're running for President of the United States.
Another reason Michelle Obama's speech was amazing in my eyes is because of her acknowledgment of the roots of this great nation. She mentioned how she great it was seeing her two black daughters playing with their dog in the yard of a home built centuries ago by black slaves. Despite America's ugly past, the truth about present time is that America is great. No man who is guided by hate should be trusted to make it great again.
By the end of Michelle's speech, nearly everyone in the convention hall was standing up applauding her and I, at home, was nearly in tears. To think that Michelle Obama is about to leave the White House and possibly be replaced with a woman who has nude photos floating around the internet honestly breaks my heart. As Michelle highlighted in her speech, our kids are watching. What do you want them to see?
When Barack and Michelle Obama leave the White House in January 2017, they will be missed. Barack and Michelle have been role models to me personally and millions of others in this country. They've shown us the true meaning of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness and I don't want this to change after four years of destruction.
Hillary Clinton will have to work hard to regain American's trust after Benghazi but she is the most qualified person in this year's election. Hillary Clinton has helped to ensure that millions of kids have a health care plan that they deserve. Hillary knows that woman's rights, as well as minority rights and LGBT rights, are human rights. Hillary Clinton will fight for every man, woman, and child in America no matter what's in their bank account.
As Ted Cruz said a week ago at the Republican National Convention, vote your conscience this November. Vote for Hillary Clinton this November not just for yourself but for America's kids, America's future.
I stand with her because she stands with us.
#ImWithHer
