Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Fascinating

Well, I don't normally write about politics... and I've been reading feverishly about things on the internet these last few weeks, but I have to tell you, yesterday I watched with utter fascination as Barack was elected. I'm not a political person or even a registered voter, but I will now admit I shed a few tears. I don't know if I was just in the crying mood, or if I was so excited about watching history happen, or if I was just overcome with everyone elses emotion at such a monumental event, but yeah, anyways... it happened.

I think it's extra odd for me to be moved by something that, in my world, is no big friggin deal. I'm sure I don't represent the majority of anything, but so what if he's black? My dad is black. My uncles and my cousins and my brother is black. So what? Look at my hodgepodge family...



I guess I just don't see color. Anyways... I just found it really interesting to think about where we've come from. I mean, my dad has talked about being segregated and not being allowed into white movie theaters or just the trials of making the same wages as the other guys at his first job.

SO, what do you think? Is it a tragedy that a lot of my generation doesn't really realize the road that was paved for us? I can say the same about my gender. Women weren't able to vote. They didn't make equal wages. My mom had to wear a dress to school. Those things NEVER cross my mind because they just don't make sense to me. I can't imagine anything different than being able to be independent and do whatever I want to. OR, do you think it is a testament to how good of a job they did that it's just a non issue now.

Did I make any sense? I find this to be a VERY compelling topic. But it's seeming like a lot of work to type it all out right now. LOL

Anyways - I just wanted to write a quick blip in my first ever political blog!!

1 comments:

justme November 6, 2008 at 7:16 AM  

Ahhh, I have so much to say, but am finding it particularly hard to articulate my thoughts on this, but here goes...

I think it is sad in a way that the majority of our generation doesn't realize what previous generations went through to get us to where we are, in regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. And yet, at the same time, it is inspiring to know that we, as a society, *CAN* move forward and evolve and move *beyond* those mindsets that held us back in the past. There is a lot of work yet to be done, and there are plenty of people who have NOT and may NEVER move beyond, but the fact that we elected an African American is a testament to how far our society has come.

I also became emotional on election night, which kinda surprised me, too. I have never been a party line voter and as such was undecided up until recently, and up to the election, Obama's ethnicity never crossed my mind. And the SIGNIFICANCE of his possible election did not hit me until I was watching the coverage and thinking, REALLY THINKING about what his election means to our nation. I really starting thinking about those people who worked so hard and faced such adversity and battled the odds to pave the roads for Obama to be elected president. And when you REALLY think about it, it is beyond overwhelming.

I also think that your blindness is another great testament to how far we have come. I am hopeful that when my children are grown they will be even more blind to outward differences and ALL people are measured by the sum of their character, and not some physical or innate trait.

I do believe, however, that completely forgetting where we come from and what we have overcome can be a dangerous thing as well and it is important that we remember the sacrifices of those who got us where we are.

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