“I’m here, In the White House Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with the President.”

Cinco de Mayo Celebration Ideas, Click Image

On May 5, 2009 that was the statement I made to my daughter, Leslie, arriving at the White House.

I had been scheduled at least a month prior to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with The President and Mrs. Obama.

Not sure why I got the invitation because I had gotten invited to the White House on another occasion several years before during a Republican administration.

I even did not know what Cinco de Mayo is.

Not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day; “The date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War.” (Wikipedia)

I am going to jump to the 10 minute talk The President presented  He was joined on the podium by Mrs. Obama, Vice President Biden and Mrs. Biden and the ambassador from Mexico and his wife.

After the Cinco de Mayo ceremony, I found my way through the crowd of 3-400 people to the President.

I went up to him, introduced myself and handed him my card that reads Creating A World Community. I told him that he stole Creating A World Community from me. He seemed a little confused. I told him that after reading The Audacity of Hope, it was clear to me that he had stolen Creating A World Community from me. He then stated, laughingly,

“You know, yes I did,” while I observed him putting my card in his left side pants pocket. I then told him he was doing a fantastic job and excused myself.

I wonder if The President still has my card. I have not heard from him since the 2009 Cinco de Mayo celebration.

I next attempted to work my way to Mrs. Obama. I found it harder to get to her and it seemed every time I got close to introduce myself she would turn the other way and greet someone else. I even felt I should “cool out” a bit with the thought that people might think I was stalking her.

After a good 10 minutes and perhaps longer, I noticed one of her escorts, a gentleman, whisper to a female escort which I assumed at the time and later learned in speaking with him that he wanted her to direct Mrs. Obama to me. In fact, the female escort actually pulled Mrs. Obama by her waist and turned her toward me at which point I introduced myself to Mrs. Obama.

I told her I wanted her to know she was the main reason I had decided to work on the campaign. (I had never been involved with politics previously)

I told her I Had memorized her stump speech about fear and how she did not want her daughters to grow up in a country, in a world, based on fear. I told her I identified with the speech because I also had two daughters at the time, (now three) and felt that if she was willing to put her daughters on the line, (that’s the way her statement occurred to me) that I could step out my comfort and campaign for Barack Obama’s candidacy for President.

I then told her that in that speech she refers to her husband as being “Special.” I pointed my finger at her and said, “You are Special.” She gave me a big smile in acknowledgement and said “thank you Oscar, I really appreciate that.”

I am proud and thankful for President Barack Obama, his family and our Administration.

I highlighted the words freedom and democracy in describing Cinco de Mayo which is what the Empower Network.

Oscar Carter
(212) 316-2271

P.S. Just Get In Empower Network Click Here

P.P.S. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Celebration Ideas HERE

P.P.P.S. This post is a partial reprint of a post I wrote the night of my visit to the White House. See Here