2020, as we all know has been “one for the books” to say the least. the election has been a welcomed diversion for me. I was a political Science major at Morgan{Go Bears !}and growing up watched my dad read two newspapers a day, so politics was always a discussion in my home. 15 years from now my daughter may be able to say the same exact thing. My dad’s two newspapers may have replaced by Politico.com and C-Span but the impact is the same.

I am truly blessed that 9 years ago she was born in a world where a black president was just a matter of fact normal. She had no knowledge or background to realize just how momentous his election was to the world. Over the last few years of course she has come to realize just how amazing having a President , a fellow #girldad, with her daddy’s skin has been.

We have always taught her the black history IS American History and people actually died to participate in this experiment we call America. In February we all went to see Biden here in Raleigh at ST Augustine’s College. Her first political rally and she enjoyed the energy and sense of one common purpose in that gymnasium. Fast forward to Nov 3. Leslie voted early a week before I voted early. Ava went both times to witness the right that far too may people take for granted. She was excited election night. We had a election party for 3 in our living room. We danced happy dances only to see the night end in well, what can only be described as TBA.


Every morning for 3 days she awoke and asked me the same question, “Is Biden President yet?”. On that 3rd morning I gleefully told her he got it ! She proclaimed ” Good”! Seeing a VP who looks like a family member matters, representation matter. For all the trials and tribulations of 2020, it is still a amazing time to be alive to witness America slowly, finally living up to it’s lofty ideals.


Ava asked me what does she have to do to be President one day. I went down the line of college, probably law school and running for maybe local offices and maybe state offices etc ,etc, etc, and I laughed at myself and said ” BUT FIRST, just finish the fourth grade!


Now we are here together on January 20th watching #Inauguration2021 of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., where history has been made today, as he was officially sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America. Alongside him, Kamala Harris made history as the first female Vice President, as well as the first black and first south Asian VP!


We also got to watch and listen to Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, recite a poem on unity in the U.S. at #Inauguration2021. Again, representation and diversity matters. As we watched the new President and Madame Vice President enter the White House, it was good to see that the America that I am raising our daughter in decided to let sanity, and decency prevail.

To read more Daddy Diaries: see here. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
Later Y’all.
Barry