Making the Right Decision

By Felecia Little

This book is about my personalized road trip to aid in the campaign of President Barack Obama Jr. to become the forty-fourth president of the United States. It is a book that explain how it was my childhood wish to live in the white house. Because of the color of my skin my mother told me it could not be done. My reply to her was that someday a person of color will occupy the white house along with his family. My wish came true on Nov.4, 2008 when Senator Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States. I explains how I began my journey from my comfortable Caribbean environment to contribute to this historical day. I talk about how I used a bus pass to travel the country and living a very frugal lifestyle to encourage people to vote for President Obama. I mention in the book some of the people I met, and I share their stories with my readers. I talk about even though people were concerned about the two wars and a downhill economy, their relationships with their partners was also very important. I talk about how I was asked numerous times how my husband allowed me to be on the road for so many months by myself. I talk about how I entered a female homeless shelter. I point out that I worked two jobs to get back on the campaign trail. I talk about how my husbands love and support encouraged me as I travelled on my journey by myself. I also talk about what made our relationship so strong after taking this 18 month road trip.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 19, 2009
• ISBN: 9781469100838

Felecia Little

My name is Felecia Deloris Little. I was born and went to school in Brooklyn, New York. I graduated from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, with a BA degree in history and education. I attended Touro Law School in Huntington, New York, where I graduated with a JD degree. I have taught in the American dependent school systems in Karlsruhe as a kindergarten teacher and Ruelzheim, Germany, as a first- grade teacher. I have travelled extensively throughout Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean. I have worked as a volunteer campaign worker in President Obama’s campaign. I devised my personalized campaign bus tour. I also worked in President Obama’s campaign offices in Montana and Ohio. I have also done volunteer work with a nonprofit organization in the Caribbean aimed at helping disadvantaged youths. I have been working with children for twenty years.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

I Hit The Jackpot

365 are my lucky numbers they are the electoral numbers that got the junior senator from Illinois Barack Obama elected the first African-American President of the United States.

I had placed a bet with my husband on February 10, 2007 when junior Illinois Senator Obama made his announcement in Springfield, Illinois with his family that he was throwing himself in the race for the 2008 Presidential race. I believe he could win there was no doubt in my mind.

My husband said do you realize that Senator Obama is going against some seasoned and experienced politicians. There was Senator Joe Biden from Delaware, Governor Bill Richardson from New Mexico, Senator Chris Dodd from Connecticut, Rep. Dennis Kucinich from Ohio, former Governor of Iowa Thomas Vilsack, former Alaska Senator Mike Gavel, former North Carolina senator and 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards and United States New York senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton. Edwards and Clinton were the presumed front runners.

I have a girlfriend whose name is Kim. We were on a trip together in Las Vegas, Nevada when Kim wanted me to play the quarter machines. She was winning that day. I told Kim I am not a gambler, I came to Vegas for the buffets, shopping and the shows. I told her I cannot see throwing my quarter in a machine and lose.

Kim placed her hands on her hips and said you spent at least eighteen months campaigning on the road by yourself leaving your husband at home to help President Obama, now you will not throw a quarter in the machine. She then asked me "Wasn’t your marriage worth more than losing a quarter in a machine. She went further and said a good man is hard to find. I started laughing, but this was not a joke. She said with such a long separation this could have been the destruction of your marriage while you chased your dream.

I was gambling big time, if one is to know the history of African-Americans in the United States. The race became very close between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama as the other candidates dropped out. This race came down to the first African-American candidate who campaigned on change and the first Caucasian female campaigning on experience.

Senator Biden and Senator Dodd dropped out in early January 2008, followed immediately by Governor Bill Richardson. Representative Kucinich dropped out in later January along with former vice-presidential candidate John Edwards and Former Senator Gravel dropped out in March, 2008.

The major question was whether America was ready for an African-American who did not even finish his six-year term as a U.S. senator and who many thought did not have enough foreign affairs experience. Our country was engaged in two wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan. The majority of President Obama’s political career had been in the Illinois senate. The country was also facing the worst economy since The Great Depression. Most gamblers go for broke because they might have had a dream or a lucky charm. I had neither; I had faith in him not just because he espoused changes but more so the kind of changes he said he will bring about. He appeared to be sincere in getting America back on track. This book illustrates how I personally went out to get President Obama’s message out to the public. You will read about my various struggles while on the campaign trail for about eighteen months. I purchased unlimited travel bus passes in two month sequences where I paid a flat payment. I encountered being alone in a homeless shelter because I ran out of money. I faced loneliness being away from my husband and my stable home life. I stood on long lines waiting on buses, and I ran into bad weather like snow blizzards in Colorado, North Dakota, Montana, and Washington State. I also had to endure the hot sun of the deserts in Arizona and Nevada.

I had the fortunate experience of being exposed to living outside my box and resided with Caucasian families, as we worked together on President Obama’s campaign in the states of Montana and Ohio.

I will never forget how I slept on buses and in bus terminals. I wish you could imagine how difficult it was for me to sleep on the bus in a comfortable position. The worst part of sleeping on the bus was when they woke you up in the middle of the night because the bus had to be serviced. Further, at the terminals the seats are so hard you are constantly twisting and turning trying to catch a nap in between waiting for buses. I will never forget the cramped legs and swollen ankles from sitting for a very long time from being on the bus sometimes for days.

Through it all, I never wavered. I fought the obstacles that were thrown my way. My goal was to offer what I had to this campaign. My contribution was my time. Time to me is precious, because you can never get it back.

We can lose money and material possessions and there is the possibility we can recoup, not time.

The numbers 365 are the electoral numbers that got Senator Obama elected to become President Obama.

Even though I endured all those hardships, I believe I hit the jackpot. I gambled my time and won. When I began my campaign many people called me crazy. They asked me why was I willing to give up my comfortable lifestyle to face the hardships of the road. I would only laugh and say I am doing it for the next generation. Someone had to go through hardships so I could live this comfortable life. I would tell them it is my turn to give back. I will always remember when I was in St. Louis, Missouri and I told a lady about my road trip campaign she said you are insane, Senator Obama is riding in a custom campaign bus with conveniences and you are travelling in cramped conditions. Here again my reply was I am doing it for the next generation. Most important my childhood dream came true, because of my decision to be a contributor to the election of President Barack Obama to become the 44th President of the United States.

CHAPTER 2

Who I Am

My name is Felecia. I am an African-American female born in Brooklyn, New York during the civil rights movement era. I am blessed to have lived through that period. I know there was much violence, bloodshed and lost of lives fighting for African-American equality in American society. During this period, there were a lot of positive changes that occurred. Not only were African Americans fighting for equality in society but there was courageous Caucasian fighting along with them. African-Americans faced discrimination from housing, schools, living accommodation and public transportation. There were also signs that were posted stating White Only, or Black Only at public facilities, like public bathrooms and water fountains to name a few. This discrimination was very evident in the southern states of the United States. There was also heavy migration of African-Americans from southern cities to northern states where they were afforded more opportunities. My parents were in this category. They were born in South Carolina and migrated after college to New York. As a result I was born in New York. I did spend my summer vacations with my relatives in South Carolina as a child, which I loved. Since being an only child it gave me a chance to play with my cousins whose parents remained in South Carolina. I loved to take my easy bake oven with me so we could make cakes together.

What struck me as interesting was the name identity my race was going through. I remember that in the early 1960’s as a child the term Negro was used. I can attest to this, because my parents used it all the time. What else I can remember are some of the historical events that were taking place.

I can remember as a child living under President John F. Kennedy administration. He was the thirty-fifth President of the United States. During his administration there were significant changes of equalities for African-Americans with the aid of his brother Robert Kennedy as attorney-general of the United States. He also had a younger brother Edward Kennedy who later took over his vacant Senator seat representing the state of Massachusetts.

image%201.jpg

John, Robert and Edward Kennedy

I can remember there was also the great presence of the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was one of those prominent civil leaders that worked side by side with the Kennedy administration. He was the leader of the Southern Leadership Conference. Dr. King used the method of non-violence to fight racial segregation. He is well known for the Montgomery Boycott that happened in Montgomery, Alabama. This was before the Kennedy administration got into power. The public bus strike lasted for 361 days. It was the result of a African-American woman named Rosa Parks that refuse to give up her seat on a public bus to a Caucasian passenger. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. directed the boycott in 1955-1956. It opened up the door for integration of public buses in Montgomery. He is also remembered for his’ I Have a Dream Speech’ which was done as a massive march that emphasized civil rights, employment rights in hiring and firing practices along with economic and social equality. This march was held during the Kennedy Administration. It was held on August, 28, 1963 in Washington, D.C. There were also other civil rights pioneers in this era fighting for African-American equality. Many lost their lives for me to live a better life.

image%202.jpg

President Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson 1960 election

Being a child I remember the Kennedy Presidency from a different angle. To me I saw it as glamorous. It was called the Camelot years. There was President Kennedy the youngest elected President at the age of forty-three. He was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29, 1917. He became the thirty-fifth President of the United States. He was the first elected Catholic President and was married to Jacqueline who was very fashionable. I can still remember the pillow box hats she wore with such elegance.

image%203.jpg

Jacqueline Kennedy and President John Kennedy

Their two young children names were Caroline and John Jr. I can remember Caroline’s pony Macaroni. I remember how they would take family vacations in Massachusetts.

image%204.jpg

JFK and family in Hyannis Port August 1962

As a child I dreamed that I could marry the president one day and live my life in the White House. I can always remember a conversation I had with my mother at the age of eight when I told her of my wish. She told me Negroes cannot be Presidents and First Ladies. At that moment my dream was destroyed. She told me I was dreaming and living in a fantasy world. I was too young to fully comprehend the meaning of her words, but, I can always remember her words encouraging me to be a teacher that day. As I reflect back I think she did not want me to develop low self esteem as a child. My mother always encouraged me that I was as good as anyone else in this world. Growing up I have always been a confident person. I was always encouraged to strive for the best and I was coached by my parents to have polite manners. I always remember people complimenting me on how well disciplined I was and always having a pleasing personality. That is why as a child I was confused why I could not aspire to live in the White House. I can still remember with my strong opinionated belief my reply to her was one day a Negro was going to be president and he will have his Negro family with him, even if it is not me living there. I can still see her shaking her head negatively when I made this reply. My maternal grandfather also knew of my fascination with the Kennedy’s white house. He would just laugh but he never disputed my wishes when I conveyed them to him. His compromise was he started a Kennedy half dollar coin collection for me at the age of eight. Even, though he has been deceased since 1972, I am still in possession of my coins.

The end of Kennedy’s presidency came on Nov.22, 1963, when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. He was in Dallas campaigning for reelection for president in a convertible limousine with his wife Jackie and Governor Connally of Texas along with his wife Nellie when he was shot. President Kennedy was shot at Dealey Plaza at 12:30 P.M.(C.S.T.) The assumed assassin was Lee Harvey Oswald. He was later shot by Jack Ruby. Up to now there have been many speculations about who actually killed President John Kennedy. At that time the killing of a president was not a federal offense.

image%205.jpg

Kennedy funeral procession leaves White House 25 November 1963

Once President Kennedy was declared deceased I can recall when Vice-President Lyndon Johnson who had been a Texas senator immediately became the 36th President aboard the air carrier ‘Air Force One ‘with Pres. Kennedy’s widow Jackie Kennedy and his wife Claudia Johnson whose nickname was ‘Ladybird’ by his side. He was sworn in by Judge Sarah Hughes. He was sworn in at Love Field Airport in Dallas. Texas. President Johnson was officially sworn in two hours and eight minutes after President Kennedy’s death. President Johnson continued the Civil Rights work that was initiated by President Kennedy. He worked very closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. Because of the influence he had in Congress he made it possible for very important legislation to get passed

Notable legislation was the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This legislation placed a ban on discrimination in public facilities and accommodations along with regulation on employment practices.

There was the Voting Rights Acts of 1965 which protected voting rights of African-Americans.

The Civil Rights Act of 1968 banned housing discrimination in rental or sale in housing.

President Johnson did much to institute more social legislation. His administration was named ‘The Great Society’. The Great Society upheld civil rights, medicare, medicaid, aid to education and the War on Poverty program. This program aimed at helping to eliminate poverty to disadvantaged Americans. During his administration there was escalated involvement in the Vietnam War.

Pres. Johnson served from 1963-1969. He ran for reelection after completion of deceased Pres. Kennedy’s term. He did not run for reelection for a second term. It should be noted that President Johnson’s administration did not have the position White House Chief of Staff. He was the last president to serve office without one. This position is many times referred to as the gatekeeper. Pres. Johnson died on Jan.22, 1973. He was born on August 27, 1908 near Stonewall, Texas.

image%2034.jpg

Pres. Lyndon Johnson and Dr. Martin King JR.

Then in the late 1960’s the word Black was beginning to arrive on the scene. I even noticed that members of the Negro race were having self pride in themselves. It can be noted that even when Dr. King made the I Have A Dream speech he used the word Negro 15 times and Black 4 times. There was a sense of identity needed for the race. I can remember the late singer James Brown singing the song Say It Loud, I Am Black and I’m Proud. The black race were wearing clothing like dashikis (African shirts) and wearing their hair grown out which were called afros. I always remember the singing group The Jackson Five with their afros. Dr. King had an enormous impact on American history. He won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize at the age of thirty-five. Dr. King was awarded for the work he did to end racial discrimination and racial segregation through non-violence methods. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. I can remember this so clearly because I was in the hospital to get my appendix removed. I still remember all the rioting and looting that happened in Brooklyn. It was so difficult for my parents to get back home after visiting me in the hospital. He was shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel. He was there to head a march for the Black sanitation workers who were seeking higher wages. I was fortunate as a adult to visit the Lorraine Motel which is now a museum. I can remember how Senator Robert Kennedy of New York tried to bring calmness to the African-American citizens about the lost of their leader.(He was the brother of late President Kennedy. ) Senator Kennedy resigned his senatorial seat in 1965 to run in the 1968 presidential election. He was later assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel by Sirhan—Sirhan in Los Angeles, California as he was seeking the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. He was celebrating his win of the California primary on June 05, 1968. I can still remember as a child when my father woke me up to tell me the news. It is interesting to note that at that time secret service protection was not offered to presidential candidates unless they were incumbents. From this incident secret service protection began to be offered to presidential candidates.

It seems like this was a decade where so many great leaders were dying. I never knew when I was going to be told as a child a leader was killed.

Even though there was such sorrows happening, my years in elementary school were very happy. I attended Junior Academy a private Black school in Brooklyn, New York. I can remember waiting for the school bus to take me to school. I loved wearing my uniform with pride. We were educated to have pride in ourselves and our culture. I remember having to learn the words to the Negro National Anthem as a child, Lift Every Voice and Sing written by poet James Weldon Johnson. We also said our Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. I graduated there in 1968 where I enjoyed my academic