I don’t think I have seen a blog today that has not mentioned that last night something rather momentous occurred in this country.
I feel like I should say something about it, but I feel at a loss really, for words that add to how amazing last night must have been for people of previous generations, who were alive and aware when a man with black skin could not in many places go to college, or manage a company, or sit his tired body down on any empty bus seat, let alone say, “I want to be president of the United States.”
And of course my throat had a lump in it when my next president spoke to the nation and Oprah and Rev. Jesse Jackson’s faces were tear soaked. That may sound like a silly comment, but both of those people have determinedly and bravely broken through barriers, and have helped evolve the American consciousness over the last several decades into what it is now, and they must know their work helped contribute to changing this into a country which could and would elect a black man. I think to them it must have felt like this is the final outcome of what they have worked and stood for, and not just them, every man or woman of any color who marched with Dr. King, or faced a fire hose, or who believed and lived by the belief that anyone who worked hard enough can do anything, this has to feel like the final outcome of what they believed in, and in many cases fought and sacrificed for.
Not to belittle what this elections means to those people, or what it says about who we are as a nation, or that I was lucky enough to cast my vote in this election, that I am sure will be a big one in the history books, for a man I admire a good deal, but I hope the celebration that we elected a black man ends soon and that we will let him get to work. Because, we didn’t just elect a black man, we elected a smart man, we elected a good man, we elected a thoughtful, knowledgeable, inspirational man. And we haven’t done that for a while.
I feel like I should say something about it, but I feel at a loss really, for words that add to how amazing last night must have been for people of previous generations, who were alive and aware when a man with black skin could not in many places go to college, or manage a company, or sit his tired body down on any empty bus seat, let alone say, “I want to be president of the United States.”
And of course my throat had a lump in it when my next president spoke to the nation and Oprah and Rev. Jesse Jackson’s faces were tear soaked. That may sound like a silly comment, but both of those people have determinedly and bravely broken through barriers, and have helped evolve the American consciousness over the last several decades into what it is now, and they must know their work helped contribute to changing this into a country which could and would elect a black man. I think to them it must have felt like this is the final outcome of what they have worked and stood for, and not just them, every man or woman of any color who marched with Dr. King, or faced a fire hose, or who believed and lived by the belief that anyone who worked hard enough can do anything, this has to feel like the final outcome of what they believed in, and in many cases fought and sacrificed for.
Not to belittle what this elections means to those people, or what it says about who we are as a nation, or that I was lucky enough to cast my vote in this election, that I am sure will be a big one in the history books, for a man I admire a good deal, but I hope the celebration that we elected a black man ends soon and that we will let him get to work. Because, we didn’t just elect a black man, we elected a smart man, we elected a good man, we elected a thoughtful, knowledgeable, inspirational man. And we haven’t done that for a while.
A man at work today said that we elected and ideal. He said that Americans were just ready to say we would elect a black man so we did, without regard to the man's ideas. I normally won't participate in political arguments with people I don't care about, since it's nothing but an "I am right, no I am, no I am" contest and no one ever listens the other side or thinks about what the other guy is saying anyway. But I answered this man. I told him that that is not why I voted for him. I voted for him because I strongly agree with his ideas, and the fact that we finally elected a black man, to me, was an incidental bonus. But I find it demeaning to our next president to say he was elected merely because of his race (as I would find it demeaning had Hillary won, if they said it was because she was a woman, and that is why I hope we will move on soon from celebrating his race, and quickly start to celebrate his work).
I do imagine that there was a certain demographic that voted for him due mostly to his race, as there was another demographic who voted against him for the same reason. But, if it were not for the majority of us, who believe in his ideas and philosophies and voted for those, the turnout of those black voters who don't usually vote, would not have won the race alone. That Senator Obama was able to reach people that have previously felt disenfranchised and unheard, and make them believe their voices DO matter in this new world, well that is a testament to the inspirational power of the leader we have just chosen.
I don’t usually loudly proclaim my political opinions, except to my nearest and dearest, because I know we all have deeply personal ideals that are deep rooted in our own sacred and basic beliefs about the nature of man, God, and our responsibilities to one another as human beings and so on. So this is probably a one time blog thing for me. But, let me try to explain my personal jubilation over this new president.
Imagine you are on an airplane, and it’s losing altitude fast. And the pilot just keeps doing his fancy tricks, loopty-loos and spinny-caboos and what not, and every one keeps clapping. Then people start to notice that the ground is getting much, much closer all of a sudden and the pilot and crew say, “well, he’s a great pilot and all but the last guy who flew the plane left the buttons and levers all screwy” (but the last time anyone else flew the plane it was like…eight years ago.”
Then finally everyone decides we need a new guy to fly the plane. Then after a bit we have it whittled down to two volunteers and the first guy is like, “I should do it because I can do the same loopty-loos as the first guy, and also I have seen Top Gun like nine times and I am a lot that guy in it. What’s his name again?”
And then the other guy is like, “Ok, I am not so in to loopty-loos, but I have studied airplane mechanics a good deal and I see what is causing the decrease in altitude, and, although the flight won’t be as flashy and showy, I can probably keep us from smacking into the ground, and I also know what all the button and levers are for.”
And then the first guy brings out a pretty stewardess in a short skirt, big glasses, and lipstick and says, “well also I have her to help me” and every one is like, “oooooooh” cause she is a babe, but you are in your seat thinkin’ “Uh…just cause she has served drinks on flights to and from Russia, does not mean she can fly this thing!” and you are sure they are ganna hand the plane over to the first guy and Bambi, when all of a sudden, every one says, “Yeah, we’ll take the guy that’s read the manual and knows what the buttons do.” And a wave of relief washes over you. People finally get it, they actually understand, we don't need a showman, we need a guy who can make things work right.
That’s how I feel. Like we handed the plane over to a guy who can fly it, and I don’t know if a machine this close to the ground can be pulled up, and I guess we are all ganna have to hang on. But I am really, really glad we have a pilot that knows about the airplanes.
I think it’s great that we have grown up enough to choose him without being afraid of his skin color or name, that means a lot to a lot of people and it’s wonderful. I am just so relieved we have also gotten smart enough to choose him.
***Ok, I know my plane metaphor will bug people who love McCain, and I know he has political and world experience, and I do respect the guy, but I just don’t think he understand economic or social issues the way Obama does, is not even close to having the ability to understand or repair the damage we have done to our relationship with the rest of the world as Obama, and I don’t think his world experience, or time served in office, is he is the equivalent of the education Obama has continually pursued in sociology, law, or government theory.
I don’t usually loudly proclaim my political opinions, except to my nearest and dearest, because I know we all have deeply personal ideals that are deep rooted in our own sacred and basic beliefs about the nature of man, God, and our responsibilities to one another as human beings and so on. So this is probably a one time blog thing for me. But, let me try to explain my personal jubilation over this new president.
Imagine you are on an airplane, and it’s losing altitude fast. And the pilot just keeps doing his fancy tricks, loopty-loos and spinny-caboos and what not, and every one keeps clapping. Then people start to notice that the ground is getting much, much closer all of a sudden and the pilot and crew say, “well, he’s a great pilot and all but the last guy who flew the plane left the buttons and levers all screwy” (but the last time anyone else flew the plane it was like…eight years ago.”
Then finally everyone decides we need a new guy to fly the plane. Then after a bit we have it whittled down to two volunteers and the first guy is like, “I should do it because I can do the same loopty-loos as the first guy, and also I have seen Top Gun like nine times and I am a lot that guy in it. What’s his name again?”
And then the other guy is like, “Ok, I am not so in to loopty-loos, but I have studied airplane mechanics a good deal and I see what is causing the decrease in altitude, and, although the flight won’t be as flashy and showy, I can probably keep us from smacking into the ground, and I also know what all the button and levers are for.”
And then the first guy brings out a pretty stewardess in a short skirt, big glasses, and lipstick and says, “well also I have her to help me” and every one is like, “oooooooh” cause she is a babe, but you are in your seat thinkin’ “Uh…just cause she has served drinks on flights to and from Russia, does not mean she can fly this thing!” and you are sure they are ganna hand the plane over to the first guy and Bambi, when all of a sudden, every one says, “Yeah, we’ll take the guy that’s read the manual and knows what the buttons do.” And a wave of relief washes over you. People finally get it, they actually understand, we don't need a showman, we need a guy who can make things work right.
That’s how I feel. Like we handed the plane over to a guy who can fly it, and I don’t know if a machine this close to the ground can be pulled up, and I guess we are all ganna have to hang on. But I am really, really glad we have a pilot that knows about the airplanes.
I think it’s great that we have grown up enough to choose him without being afraid of his skin color or name, that means a lot to a lot of people and it’s wonderful. I am just so relieved we have also gotten smart enough to choose him.
***Ok, I know my plane metaphor will bug people who love McCain, and I know he has political and world experience, and I do respect the guy, but I just don’t think he understand economic or social issues the way Obama does, is not even close to having the ability to understand or repair the damage we have done to our relationship with the rest of the world as Obama, and I don’t think his world experience, or time served in office, is he is the equivalent of the education Obama has continually pursued in sociology, law, or government theory.
***Also, I still love my girl Hillary. A LOT!
5 comments:
I agree! Go Obama! Also a lot should be two words. On a side note: Hillary was my first choice (and I'm a man).
Thank you, Mr. Anonymous, but I have no idea what you could mean. A lot is two words! ;) (Fixed)
I have admired Hillary for a long time, and I think she would have been great, but near the end of the primary, I jumped on the Obama train. I just think he has something we need now. He's so calm and unruffled, you know?
YES OBAMA!
I loved your plane metaphor. Especially the “Uh…just cause she has served drinks on flights to and from Russia, does not mean she can fly this thing!”
LMAO!!!! I love u! :D
I should have worded it, "Yes, it's lovely that you have been to and from the airport in Russia 100 times Miss, but see you were serving drinks, so that hardly qualifies you to FLY THE DAMN PLANE!" but I was in a hurry I guess.
One great thing about this nation is I don't have to agree BUT I can see why you feel the way you do. He is our commander and chief and my new boss for 4 years and I will serve him like I have the great leaders of the past.
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