Explaining to My Sons Why Yesterday was Important
A few weekends ago, I had the opportunity to hear stories from the life of an African American woman who I admire greatly. She spoke of her struggles in the 60s and 70s as a woman and an African American in the work place. She spoke with such matter of fact about things that make my skin crawl. I realized just a few days ago how completely distanced I am from that life. How protected and inexperienced I am from this. Many would say that this is because of the color of my own skin. But I dare to say that it has a great deal to do with my generation. I know that it’s not a perfect world, but I have been blessed to live in this time when racial prejudice is a lot less intimidating and controlling of our nation’s culture. I am very proud that my children will never know a United States without a mixed race President. In racially focused circles, that would be even more amazing then a “pure” African American. But we are a nation and a world of mixed races – so this feels right.
I am not a Democrat and in fact voted Libertarian except for my Presidential vote for Obama. But I didn’t vote for him because of his ethnic background. I did it because I’d rather see a positive, thoughtful but potential socialist over a patriarchal, separatist capitalist. McCain’s concession speech was beautiful. He showed that he is a good man in his speech (I get very upset when people want to make politicians into devils and anti-christs). But he is a product of his experiences and his generation.
The world sees hope in Obama, as many in our country do. This is a positive thing, to have the world looking at us with hope instead of the dreaded “typical American”. I realize that he will not be able to change things drastically, and remind my friends who call him a socialist of this regularly. He is also a product of the Democrat party and the system that many of us find very broken. But I think he looks at things with a fresh viewpoint and process that will be interesting to watch.
I look forward to looking back on the next four years. I look forward to my sons reading this and understanding the crossroads that we face at this time in history. Not just the racial significance that is rightly important to so many, but how ready we are for change and how this man was able to get people off their couches and involved in the American political process like never before. Including Brad and I who participated for the first time in the caucus. If nothing else comes to be, this was itself amazing and powerful.
And because Matthew has such a way with words, I have to link to his perfect expression of how I feel as well, Yes We Can.
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This is a fabulous post! I feel a lot of the same ways you do!
Steph