Thoughts from the DNC: Proud to be a Democrat

Yesterday, about what I expected to hear from the First Lady of the United States. I expected her speech to set the tone for the entire convention. Just as I started to post my blog, as fate would have it, I was unable to get a wifi connection. I think everyone in the convention center was using data.

In the end, I was happy that I had not written about what "I" thought Mrs. Obama would say because she not only exceeded my expectations, she gave the most powerful speech that I have heard in a long time.

So, this morning as I reflect on the opening day of the Convention, I wanted to share how I felt as I left the convention last night.

I am still proud to be a Democrat!

I was so happy that the world was able to see for themselves that the Democratic Party is a Party of inclusion and not exclusion. As I listened intensely to speech after speech, and as I looked out on the floor, I was so happy to see all the different hues that represent our Party. Our speakers, Party leaders and elected officials together, represented almost every ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual orientation.

How beautiful is that?

Anyone watching last night saw someone that looked like them and heard someone that had a story similar to theirs. From Julian Castro to Governor Deval Patrick to Tammy Duckworth to Stacy Lihn to Governor Lincoln Chafee (a former Republican) to Lilly Ledbetter and even our wonderful First Lady, Michelle Obama, I saw myself in every one of them. I love what we represent, we are a big tent Party, we are America!

I am proud to be a Democrat.

(Editor's note: is a Snellville resident and delegate to the Democratic National Convention.)