Smith Georges "The Obama Artist” Receives His Official Inauguration Invite
New York - After demonstrating unshaken dedication and commitment campaigning for Obama since DAY ONE, Smith Georges, the Obama Artist, receives his official invitation to Obama’s inauguration. The Haitian-American artist’s painting of Obama entitled “OprOBamaMania” was on display at the Obama’s New York headquarter during the campaign. His new painting “Destined for Change” may find its way to the White House.
“This is not the first time that I have been invited to a presidential inauguration. I was invited twice to President Clinton’s inaugurations. In addition, President and Mrs. Clinton requested the honor of my presence at the White House for a private reception,” said the artist.
The artist reflects on the significance of the ascension of a black man to U.S. presidency. “After reading Obama’s two books Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope, I knew Obama was going to make history by being the first African-American president in the 232 years of the U.S. independence.”
Smith Georges, The Obama Artist, plans to attend the inauguration as well as several Inaugural Balls in Washington D.C. “Obama’s political career took off in Chicago, Illinois. Remember the City of Chicago was founded by a Haitian, Jean Baptiste Point de Sable. Moreover, more than a thousand Haitians came from Haiti to the U.S. and fought to save the U.S. Revolution in Savannah, Georgia in 1779. It’s not a coincidence that President-Elect Obama has appointed Patrick Gaspard, a Haitian-American, as The White House Political Director,” the artist added.
The Haitian-American community supported Obama overwhelmingly.
Click on link below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBQd4aX86yo
18 Years Later, Haitians Still Manifest Strong Show of Support for Aristide
By Smith Georges
Split Opposition Joins Chorus Calling for Aristide Return
New York - The coup/kidnapping supporters are split sensing the day of Aristide’s return to Haiti is near. On November 4th, when Barack Obama was declared the winner of the U.S. general presidential election, most of the tiny group of Haitians in the so-called opposition were nervous to say the least, knowing Aristide will soon return to Haiti. Aristide’s foes and former presidential candidates such as Gerard Gourgue and Evans Paul seem to break free from the rest of the opposition gang. Gourgue attended the impressive and successful December 16, 2008 rally calling for the immediate return of President Aristide to Haiti, and Evan Paul, aka K-Plim, said few days ago that no Haitians should be forced to live in exile.
There are unconfirmed reports that Mildred Trouillot Aristide, President Aristide’s wife, will travel to Haiti very soon to undertake renovation in their home and to pave the way for President Aristide’s return in March 2009 or prior. President Aristide, his wife and two daughters are currently living in exile in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to our source, about 150,000 Haitians took part in a demonstration yesterday to mark the 18th anniversary of the ascension of president Aristide to power on December 16, 1990 as the first democratically and constitutionally elected president of Haiti. The demonstration was also a strong signal to the tiny minority that opposes the return of president Aristide to Haiti. The demonstrators demanded the return of Aristide, and they denounced the total disconnect of the current Haitian president Rene Preval with the Haitian people, whereby inflation, the living condition and insecurity make the country a living hell. Most Haitian people see Preval as a phantom. In the past 18 years Haiti has been hit by both man-made and natural disasters.
It is estimated that more than 80% of the Haitian population are nostalgic of the time that Aristide was in power before his kidnapping that was allegedly approved by President George W. Bush (aka Baby Bush) on February 29, 2004. American Senator and presidential candidate John Kerry didn’t hide his feeling when he said that President Georges W. Bush empowered the insurgents to overthrow Aristide. Kerry also added that Bush hates Aristide because of their theoretical differences.
Just seven months after he was elected, Aristide was overthrown the first time and sent in exile in a coup orchestrated by Haitian General Raoul Cedras with the alleged involvement of President George H. Bush (aka Papa Bush). Aristide was restored to power under President Bill Clinton on October 15, 1994.
Had Aristide not been interrupted twice in the pursuit of implementing his progressive social agenda, in order to alleviate the living condition of the Haitian people, Haiti would have been much better off. In his absence, the Haitians have known humiliation in the hands of the United Nations troops (MINUSTAH). The slum of Cite Soleil, an enclave of Aristide’s supporters, was bombed where innocent women, men and children were killed .
The Haitian puppet government installed by Bush and led by the puppet Haitian prime Minister Gerard Latortue invited the French troops to Haiti. It was a major blow to the Haitians’ pride because it was the first time that French troops had stepped on Haitian soil since the defeat of the Napoleonic troops in the early 1800s.
Some in the opposition are saying if Aritide is allowd to go back to Haiti, then Baby Doc (Jean-Calude Duvalier) and Cedras should also be allowed to return to their native country Haiti.
A few Haitians made a grave error when they voted for Bush just because of their hatred for Aristide, the democratically and constitutionally elected president of Haiti. Haiti has been turned into hell with raping kidnapping, poverty, murder since the absence of Aristide. Even the Haitians who backed up the kidnapping of Aristide have fled the country because of insecurity. These same Haitians turned Republicans have now voted for Obama. Bush has grounded his own country and the world. Bush's globalization and privatization folly has crashed to the point that the U.S. private sector is begging the goverment for handout and bailout. The private sector is partnering with the government in everything hoping for a rescue.
Aristide's only sin was his refusal to privatize Haiti's public assests. Obama has the same philosphy with Aristide, which is to lift up a country from the bottom up, but not from the top down like Bush.
Bush opposed the return of president Aristide to Haiti as a private citizen despite the unanimous consensus of all the Caribbean countries (CARICOM) and all the African countries (The African Union) that Aristide should go back to Haiti. CARICOM and The African Union see President Bush’s opposition to Aristide’s return as a racist act; as if to say Aristide belongs to Africa and should stay there. Aristide is currently living in South Africa with his wife and two daughters.
To comment on this article, please send your e-mail to WhyGeorges@gmail.com.
"OprObamaMania" 30"x40", acrylic on canvas by Smith Georges
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click on the video above to see my most recent artwork entitled "OprObamaMania"
If America is Serious About Reconciliation, Let's elect Obama
By Smith Georges whygeorges@gmail.com
Published in January 6, 2008
Iowa has the courage to do the right thing by handing a solid victory to Barack Obama. A state with 96% whites. Obama's victory has hit the political world like an earthquake. People believed that the Clintons were unbeatable. The result of the Iowa caucus for the top three democratic contenders was as follows: Barack Obama 38%, John Edwards 30% and Hillary Clinton in third place with 29%.
During his Iowa victory speech, Senator Barack Obama told the electrified crowd "They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided. Too disillusioned to ever come together around a common purpose - but on this January night, at this defining moment in history, you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do."
"There are those who say that Barack Obama should wait his turn. There are those who say that he should take a gradual approach to presidential leadership, but none of us is God. We don't know what the future holds. So we must respond to the pressures and fortunes of history when the moment strikes, and Iowa, I believe that moment is now," said Oprah Winfrey.
"Tonight we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation, not because of the height of our skycrapers, or the power of our military, or the size of our economy. our pride is based on a simple premise summed up in a declaration made two hundred years ago - We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happyness," said Barack Obama during the last democratic convention.
Most, if not, all white Americans will tell you that they are not racist. In all fairness they may mean what they say, but if you dig deeply into their souls, the answer may be different. Iowa has surprised the world by showing an unexpected side of white America. There was a time when a black person was considered three fifths of a person in the American's constitution. This demeaning law may no longer reflect in our constitution; however, when you factor in second class education, high unemployment, discrimination in housing, and high rate of incarceration of Blacks, the concept of a black man is equal to three fifths of a human being is alive and well in America.
To the people who are saying that they are not racist, and particularly the white democrats, a group that is not always loyal to its political party, it's time to show that you support someone in whom we all Blacks and Whites can find ourselves. Let's support someone in whom we can take pride of our heritage. He is the heir of the black and white race. He is a true symbol of reconciliation. He is an inspiration to all of us. He is smart, savvy, insightful, reflective, and committed. He is a father, a husband and a leader. He is not black or white. In all fairness he is gray. As an Artist, I know when you mix black and white you get gray. He has a dream. He wrote a book entitled "The Audacity of Hope". Now it's time for Americans to have the audacity and dare themselves to elect at least a gray man, Barack Obama. Let's show that this is a new America that has evolved. An America that is truly on the path of reconciliation. An America that genuinely believes in burying its ugly dark past. Liberate yourself America! Free yourself America! We are all God's children. There is nothing to fear.
America would be better off investing in its people. Let's not waste money in unnecessary war. Had America invested in its people equitably, we wouldn't be falling behind and worried so much about emerging superpower like China.
In Congress, July 4, 1776, the unanimous Declaration of Independence of the United States of America has clearly stated: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. In Congress, July 4, 1776.
I urge you to take a closer look at Barack Obama. Frankly he looks presidential and he is competent with good judgment. Can we all get along? Prove it. Elect Barack Obama.
(Smith Georges was the Head of the Haitian-Americans for Clinton/Gore Constituency in 1992 & 1996) ------------------------------------------------
