America's 'Cookie'

"I want my twelve Cookie!  This was demanded from Cuba Gooding in the movie Men of Honor.  This non-fictional movie is about Carl Brashear, the first amputee in U.S. Navy history to return to full active duty and became the first African-American to become a Master Diver. After Carl had his leg amputated, he had to prove he could take twelve steps while wearing a 290-pound U.S. Navy diver's diving suit before he could be re-instated to full active duty.  Indeed, this requirement was racially motivated to guarantee his failure.  In addition to pure determination of courage and absolute resolve of being the best of what he wants to be; Master Chief Sunday's (character play by Robert De Niro) encouraging and demanding words ... "I want my twelve Cookie!”  Carl does indeed take all twelve steps resulting in his being re-instated to full active duty.  Master Chief Sunday gave him the nickname 'Cookie' because during their service together on the USS Hoist, the Chief remembered Carl as nothing more than a Navy cook.

On November 6, 2012, the 'Cookies' of Florida and all around these United States endured almost insurmountable oppression.  It was this same type of pure determination of courage that propelled record number of African-Americans and minorities to stand in line four, five, six and more hours to cast their vote.  They refused to be denied what many have long since paid with their lives to ensure.  

It is truly at these times that I am most proud to be an American.