Lost queens, power and soul of WOMEN
Aisha Fraser
Another yearly chapter of life has turned to a new page as we officially put 2018 in our rearview and focus our lens on 2019.
Last year was one that many will remember as ‘The Year of the Woman’ their sweeping power during the midterm elections and magnetic appeal to a dividing nation desperate for an ultimate healer.
The woman is that human qualifier capable of mending, nurturing, cultivating, caressing and inspiring us the heed to our better angels when our most devious ones appear to be equally if no more appealing.
A nation and a culture said goodbye to the ‘Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin with a celebrated home going in her hometown of Detroit during a services that included former President Bill Clinton, The Rev. Jesse Jackson, Smokey Robinson and a galaxy of luminaries befitting of The Queen.
Cleveland and many of the nation was shocked and saddened by the brutal killing of Aisha Fraser in her Shaker Heights driveway by her former husband and judge Lance Mason.
It was the loss of Fraser that shook us at our core and made us question the judicial system for those who have been impacted by domestic violence.
Here was a precious mother of two, one child of special needs , a loving model of her community and local school who could not be protected from the monster and the judicial system which favors those of influence, power, fortune and fame. The animal who had brutally beat her before, had been arrested and convicted, but allowed the loose reigns to finally succeeded in his quest and silence his victim.
I find it just as important that we remember Aisha Fraser who never had a chance to continue her life as we do Aretha Franklin who had the best of life.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama emerged as the most popular woman in the nation after publishing the best selling book ‘Becoming’ and offering a tour that was coveted throughout the nation in arenas that accommodate sports teams and musical concerts.
She wrote in her book that she would never forgive President Donald J. Trump for his birther movement that she said put her family lives in harms way.
Many are clamoring for her to make a run for the highest office, but while she will likely remain as a private citizen her voice will be heard loud and clear on the campaign trail for years to come.
Ohio lawmaker, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge should be credited with transforming the power of the House of Representatives when a growing number of newly elected members of congress advocated for her to become the next Speaker of the House when the Democrats claim the majority after the first of the New Year.
Rep. Fudge would have become the first African American man or woman to become Speaker, but instead negotiated policies and procedures that will allow for sustained influence from African American and women for years to come.
Meghan Markle brought color to Royal Family with her wedding to Prince Harry in a global affair that transformed the Royal family forever. Meghan an African American and Prince Harry are expecting their first child, thus placing a person of color at history doorsteps eventually become Queen or Prince.
Finally, Serena Williams was voted as the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year after overcoming blood clots and giving birth to her first child, at the age of 37.
The Catsuit wearing Williams from Compton reached the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, proving again how well she can play no matter how little she practices.
In a sport where both she and her sister Venus have been the dominate players she turned pro in 1995.
Serena is already the greatest women’s tennis player ever with 23 Grand Slam singles titles — the last of which came at the 2017 Australian Open when she was pregnant.
“I’m still waiting to get to be the Serena that I was, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be that, physically, emotionally, mentally. But I’m on my way,” Williams said on the eve of the U.S. Open final. “I feel like I still have a ways to go. Once I get there, I’ll be able to play even hopefully better.”
