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Thanks For Coming Out!By Keith BoykinJune 8, 2004 11:18 PM
The audience was excited and incredibly diverse. People who were black and white, young and old, male and female, straight and gay, and everything in between were represented. I saw old friends, former college classmates, distant acquaintances and totally new faces. The only drawback to the audience's enthusiasm was that it ate up the time I had planned for my speech. Under the rules, I only had four minutes to give my speech. With so much applause and chanting, I had to cut off large parts of the speech as I was talking to make it fit into the time limit. Since I didn't get a chance to give the whole 4 minute speech, I'm publishing it here on the site. I have no idea what's next. We may not be able to contact anyone in the next several weeks, but tomorrow morning we fly off to a new destination for the next challenge. My name is Keith Boykin and I am running for American Candidate. I want to be President of the United States because I want to restore the promise of the American dream for all Americans. The American dream is the dream of the immigrant coming to the shores of this country looking for a new life and a new beginning, or the young couple hoping to own their own home in a peaceful neighborhood, or the entrepreneur boldly planning to open a new business to serve the needs of the community. And it is the dream that I have lived. I was an average kid from St. Louis, Missouri, but I worked my way to Harvard Law School, taught high school students in Atlanta, authored two nonfiction books, and had the honor of serving my country in the White House as a special assistant to President Clinton. I am the American dream, and I want all hardworking Americans to have the same opportunities that I have had. Too many Americans now believe the American dream is slipping out of their reach. Too many Americans can’t afford to buy health insurance, purchase a home or send their kids to college. Too many Americans have lost their jobs and been forced into lower-paying jobs in different fields. As I’ve traveled across the country, I’ve met with people in 48 of the 50 states, and I’ve seen the rich diversity of America. From the state fair in Minot, North Dakota to the college campus in Charlotte, North Carolina, I’ve noticed a pattern. We may speak differently from region to region, but we all share a common faith in the American dream. So I say to you today, it’s time for a president who will not divide us based on our differences, who will see those differences for what they are -- our greatest strength. We need a president who will represent all Americans, not just privileged Americans. All Americans want what’s best for our country, and no self-serving politician has the right to decide who is more patriotic or more loyal to this country. Americans don’t need our leaders to lie to us to make us feel good. We want them to level with us to make us better. So today I offer you a bold new vision for the future. It is a vision of a changed country, where all of us have health insurance, where higher education is accessible, where home ownership is affordable, and where jobs are plentiful. But more than that, it is a vision of a changed world, where peace is more actively promoted than war, where hunger and poverty are eliminated, where human rights are respected by all governments, where the environment is treasured and protected, and where the scourge of AIDS is finally eradicated. That is why I am running for American Candidate. Because America not only can make a difference; America must make a difference. And so my fellow Americans, it’s time to stand up and speak out. It’s time to be passionate about politics. It’s time to take back America. Take back America from those who have taken away the American dream. Take back America from those who use false patriotism and simple bigotry to divide us. Take back America from those who have compromised our national security with their reckless foreign policy. Take back America from those who have rewarded the idle rich and penalized the middle class. Take back America from those who have tried to take it from us. Take back your country. America belongs to all of us. Take back America. Comments
Keith, I'm proud to call you my friend. My partner and I wish you well on your summer quest to change the hearts and minds, of the American public on the value and passions of its Black Gay community. We are proud to have you and Nathan represent us to the millions that will follow your progress. I pray the pray of protection and know that the Great Spirt of the Universe, will lead succesfully through this journey. We have so much to be thankful for in our community. My best, Maurice Posted by: Maurice at June 9, 2004 12:08 AMHotep. I am honored 2 b alive at a time when someone whose compassion, humility & integrity speaks 2 the hearts of all Americans: hyphenated or not! I deeply admire & respect your courage & vision. Go Keith! Go Keith! Its your birthday, not a special day, but a half a day, not a court day, but a vacation day, not a... Peace & Blessings, Mark. Posted by: Mark Tuggle at June 9, 2004 01:29 AMI only hate that I can't go anywhere Keith. I would have loved to have been there laughing and waving. So proud of you. Great speech. Kola Posted by: Kola Boof at June 9, 2004 02:47 AMKeith, I will be watching you and I hope for the best. Posted by: KJ at June 9, 2004 06:26 AMYesterday was one of those rare moments in time where you had to be there.
There are not many men of color around making significant moves or any really to look up to Keith Boykin does that and more! The space with men of color in suits all neatly and sharply attired and about it. The leader; purposeful, on time and warm and open and engaging and attractive at the same time pulling in all your attention to see him, hear him and join him. The audience; diverse, mixed, attractive and magnetizing all in a space to promote an up and coming TV show. Sounds strange but there was something bigger in that space something like vision, journey, life and in it a quest for the thing unseen. Okay, so maybe I lost you. But if you can imagine some significant names in the picture the name to really follow is Keith Boykin. He’s doing it and putting it down in the same ways great ones did before him. There is no self stroking, the genuine article is him and the message which you will see turns out to benefit all, I only wished all of you were there to be apart of a great great day. Keith keep me in your cypher and please by all means let me know where and how I can help. –Yesterday was beyond worth it y’all, it really was! Keith, Keith, It is so great to see your passion and feel it in your words. I consider myself a "couch" politician as I pay close attention to all the goings on around the USA by internet, tv and whatever other avenues I can get information. There are a lot of potentially great young black politicians (public servants is better)that we all need to keep our eyes on (i.e., yourself, the honorable Harold Ford, the brother in Illinois et al). I have also donated my time to several political campaigns along the way. As a lifetime Democrat who has become more of a Centrist in the past few years, I truly am impressed with your zeal, insight and most importantly, courage. I am so happy that I was able to be counted amongst the number last night and all the best to you! Keith, It is so great to see your passion and feel it in your words. I consider myself a "couch" politician as I pay close attention to all the goings on around the USA by internet, tv and whatever other avenues I can get information. There are a lot of potentially great young black politicians (public servants is better)that we all need to keep our eyes on (i.e., yourself, the honorable Harold Ford, the brother in Illinois et al). I have also donated my time to several political campaigns along the way. As a lifetime Democrat who has become more of a Centrist in the past few years, I truly am impressed with your zeal, insight and most importantly, courage. I am so happy that I was able to be counted amongst the number last night and all the best to you! We have seen your wings. Now let us see you soar! Posted by: JP at June 9, 2004 02:22 PMThank you for helping me to forget about Reagan and the myth making going on this week (BURY HIM ALREADY!). At least there is hope for the future. Reagan is gone and your message is starting to make a difference for the better. Posted by: cmoney at June 9, 2004 10:40 PMWow Keith. Do you ever stop impressing us? lol You are the most inspiring person I have ever met. I can't wait to see you turn reality tv on its ear. You will win hands down. I have no doubt about that. I am in awe everytime I think about the amazing mark you are making in life. You backbone is platinum steel boo. 'You can do it! Put your back into it!' lol Your Seattle fans await your next visit. You are an amazing, amazing man. Good luck with this, your next adventure. I think you could be a reality series all on your own. Maybe you should look into that. A day in the life of Keith Boykin. WOW. Dream a reality. I love you man. Keep on truckin!:) Posted by: Jeffrey at June 10, 2004 04:56 AMWOW, I only know what i have read from the sight and some of the books u've written or participated in, i must say you are the best thing to our former president Nelson, i'm truely proud of you and you inspire me in more ways that you can ever imagine, it is in your honour that i will be hosting the first pan african lgbt film festival in South Africa...thank you for all the inspiration and i wish you all the luck for American candidate, will keep you in my prayers...Love you man...:-)) Posted by: nhlanhla "blackrose" at June 10, 2004 07:22 AMKeith we need another meet-up. Day-O Restuarant, or that club 667 in Brooklyn or even a spot in SOHO or how about in Harlem at the State Building. Let's do this! ON TO THE WHITE HOUSE! ON TO THE WHITE HOUSE!! KEITH! KEITH! KEITH! KEITH! Posted by: Troy at June 10, 2004 10:18 AMYou got my full support. I am heading your campaign in the south. :-) Posted by: Danny at June 10, 2004 11:04 AMCongratulations Keith! You're off and running. Know that whether you are next door or across the country, you have my support. Be sure to keep us posted about how we can help with the campaign. m Posted by: malik at June 10, 2004 12:17 PMcongratulations keith. i'll be watching you and sending supporters your way. Posted by: lynne at June 10, 2004 01:25 PMWay to go Keith! We're proud of you. Congratulations Mr Boykin! I am so proud of you and I wish you the best keep up the good work. Keith you have been a great friend to me and I know for sure that you will be a wonderful President. Keith I wish you all the luck in the world. I hope and pray that you become the First Black President to lead America in right direction. I am here to support you 100%. Again Congratulations! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS! Posted by: Torrie R. Britton at June 11, 2004 07:25 PM"The revolution will be BLOGGED." (Andrew Sullivan) Keith, my Son, my Brother: Keep your eyes on the prize. If it's all about votes then enlist the disenfranchised. Do not presume that all who visit your BLOG have cable. But I presume that all can cast a vote -- if this is not so then I'm not sure what part of the word "Democracy" the producers don't get. Presuming fundamental fairness then those who don't have cable are not disenfranchised. Presuming fairness, all can vote -- if not then we have a real problem on our hands and some cages need to be rattled and the chains broken. You have recently suggested that you will not be very present at your BLOG and no one can reasonably expect that. But caveat: HERE may be your prize! Your BLOG, may be your best conduit. If you bring in the vote of those who do not have cable then you may easily win this hands down. Herein, your BLOG may be your prize and you may already have won. "Start from where you are (here), work with what you have (you always do), and do the best you can (as you always do). I think you know the story of the 'brick-a-cay church' my friend. Foundations are built up and walls torn down in much the same way; but with walls it can sometimes faster – 'Loosen a stone. Then all the rest will follow.' You have both tasks before you. Please work here. Delegate if you are too busy but remind everyone here, every day, exactly, precisely, what our voting rights are and how we may exercise them. That is the only way we can carry you to victory. You have all our votes. You must, absolutely must, assure we can cast them. JP Posted by: JP at June 13, 2004 12:01 AMHey Keith Hey Keith: Its been a long time! Good to see you still doing great work. You have my support always... Hey Keith: Its been a long time! Good to see you still doing great work. You have my support always... congrats!!! best wishes!!! next: the white house! win!!! thanks Posted by: penis enlargement at June 19, 2004 05:55 PMPost a comment
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