Hanging With the Obamas (Sort of…)

Cyrus and Grady Wilson-Cuevas as the Obamas

This year Halloween took on a political tenor with the election right around the corner. Cyrus and Grady Wilson-Cuevas got into the act dressing up like Barack and Michelle Obama and marched in the 35th Annual New York Village Halloween Parade. Cyrus, 3, and Grady, 4, are my Godchildren. And every year their father Calvin Wilson and his partner Tim Cuevas go all out for Halloween. One year they did the Wizard of Oz, the next year the did the Monster Mash (Frankenstein, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Werewolf, and Count Dracula…I was the Mummy)  and last year the rock band KISS.

The Obama Entourage

So this year with the Presidential Election top of mind, Calvin came up with the brilliant idea to have the kids be Barack and Michelle, and he and Tim would be Secret Service. I had to get down with the program. So I decide I would be the enthusiastic Obama supporter complete with a hoodie which I covered in Obama campaign buttons.

Grady (I mean Michelle) and Uncle Emil

Calvin’s favorite holiday is Halloween. So the kids have been practicing their lines since August…I mean, they are kids. Cyrus: “Hi! I’m Barack Obama.” Grady: “And I’m Michelle Obama.” Cyrus: “Please vote for me!” They even practiced the knuckle bump. Calvin printed 4X6 flyers that read: “Yes We Can.” Cyrus (I mean Barack) handed out the flyers and shook peoples hands like a true politician. If that were not enough, Calvin also mounted two Shepard Fairey posters together on a wooden stick that yours truly had to carry as part of my costume.

We marched up Sixth Avenue in the crowded parade. Most people’s reactions to the kids as the Obamas was great. Photographers and parade watchers alike snapped their photo. We even saw a couple of other Barack Obamas along the parade route (but no Michelles). Of course, it wouldn’t be politics without some beefing. Yes, a little person with a McCain cap on was really screaming on us. And some other McCain supporters were down right rude. Hey, these are children after all.  There were a lot of Sarah Palins carrying babydolls and wearing “Miss Wasilla” sashes. For the most part, everyone was excited, positive and routing for the Obamas just like we are. Who would have thought that politics would become such an huge part of pop culture. Aside from celebrating Halloween, I felt like we were making a statement about America, history and change.