Okay, rarely do I take time to write , let alone discuss my personal feelings or politics in person. However, we are standing at an unprecedented crossroads and I feel like I have to say a few things, so please indulge me. Rarely can one say that they are standing at the precipice of an historic moment. However, tomorrow at 12:00 the first African American President will be sworn in. Now, it's important to say that although Barack is African American (in fact a true mix of African and American) this fact is both historic and incidental. Barack has been , as Martin Luther King Jr said in his "I Have A Dream Speech", judged by the content of his character and not by the color of his skin. This point is important, because it not only speaks to America's ability to see past skin color, but it also speaks to Barack's amazing ability to unify and motivate people. Anyway, my main reason for writing is to express how completely overwhelmed I feel by history. My grand parents were share croppers. My mother was a counselor. My father not only an educator, but a story teller of African and African American fables. My father also owned the first African American owned bookstore in LA. He also founded the African American Studies departments at two major colleges. Abdulhamid Akoni was born on May 21st 1928 and was one of the greatest men I've ever known. He was charismatic, brilliant, and regal in bearing. He encouraged me throughout my entire career, and no one cheered more loudly at my achievements, or lamented more at my set backs. He was always willing to counsel not only his sons, but anyone who needed help. He loved his people and all mankind. Unfortunately, my father passed away in 1998 when I was 28 years old. I've reconciled the fact and although I miss him at times, I feel him around me at all times. Today, I know he's smiling. Not only will Barack be sworn in as the first African American president, but he's an intellectual who seeks consensus and enters the White House with a 84% approval rating. Today, on Martin Luther King Jr's 80th birthday, I played with Herbie Hancock and Josh Groban outside MLK's museum. Tomorrow I'll stand at Barack's inauguration. I'll be wearing a pin showing my support of the new president, but I'll also have a picture of my father. Not as a reminder to me, but as a reminder to people around me that many people contributed to this historic moment. It's important to state that my mother is no less impressive. I love her dearly, but she is still with us and will be at the inauguration as well. At some point, I'll express my feelings about her more clearly, but this blog has gone on long enough. Be good to one another.....Tariqh