By Marcia Morgado

Throughout the years, there have been some electrifying moments at the Democratic National Convention, with memorable keynote speeches delivered (mostly) by men. From Mario Cuomo’s Tale of Two Cities in 1984 to Barack Obamas One America in 2004, including Ann Richard’s 1988 spin on being born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth. There have been inspiring, challenging, passionate orations which became a call to action.

Michelle and Barack Obama after his 2004 DNC speech.
There is not a liberal America and a conservative America; there is the United States of America!

The 2020 DNC is breaking new ground by creating a virtual event airing Monday through Thursday, August 17-20, over four 2-hour segments. A different actor hosts each night.

Eva Longoria welcomes viewers to the first night of the DNC on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020.

Mexican-American actress/activist Eva Longoria emceed the kickoff event, opening with a reading of the Preamble to the Constitution, along with a video titled We The People. Longoria co-founded Latino Victory, a PAC created to foster Latino representation in government; and she was a speaker at the 2012 and 2016 DNC.

Amid inspiring footage, testimonials, musical interludes, panel discussions, and anti-Trump Republicans committing to vote Democrat, the highlights of the 2020’s convention opening night were two addresses.

Senator Bernie Sanders: Nero fiddled while Rome burned, Trump golfs!

A surprisingly collected Senator Bernie Sanders conveyed an unambiguous and unifying message of support for the Biden-Harris team. Minutes later, former First Lady Michelle Obama transfixed television audiences with a well-thought-out, elegantly delivered indictment of Donald Trump’s incompetence, and a step-by-step call to vote.She reiterated that “Going high is the only thing that works.” Obama taped her speech before Biden announced Kamala Harris as his running mate. That’s why she did not mention Harris, the first Black woman on a major party’s presidential ticket.

Michelle Obama, It is what it is.

While Sanders’ speech targeted his liberal base, Obama’s Mom-in-Chief approach had in mind mothers everywhere. Whether a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, mom is a mom is a mom.

Cognizant of the power of images, she chose a delicate gold necklace with VOTE spelled out. The piece from By Chari visually drove the message home for millions of viewers across the US. An extra tool to motivate everyone to “Vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it!”

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