Living in Canada over the past four years it's been hard to admit I'm an American. Before the 2004 election people used to commiserate, saying "what a terrible government you Americans have to deal with." After 2004, the mood got ugly: we really did elect Bush that second time. The negative opinion of the US government was transferred onto its citizens. Since 2004 whenever I have admitted to being American I've watched welcoming smiles melt into frowns, and often had to listen to a tirade about Bush and the US government. I've had to agree with them, too.
After all, I had to leave the US in order to live with my husband, and you'd better believe I've resented it bitterly. With laws that treat me as something between an abomination and a criminal, a Supreme Court prepared to permanently relegate me to second-class citizenship, and a president that seemed intent on breaking every international law, violating every civil liberty and every standard of decent conduct, I could find little to defend about the US, and even less reason to want to.
I certainly hoped Obama would win. I contributed to his campaign, I made phone calls. But I never let myself really believe, because it would just hurt too much if he lost. The Supreme Court holds the key to deciding whether I'll be a second-class citizen in the US until the day I die, and if more Scalitos had been appointed it would have dashed my hopes for two generations. I held my breath.
Today Barack Obama pulled it off, and decisively, breaking the last barrier for African-Americans (which John McCain spoke of so eloquently and movingly in his concession speech). Obama even mentioned gay people as actual Americans in his acceptance speech. Today I have hope, and I can say I'm an American without embarrassment and without (excessive) anger and resentment. I see that the dream is alive in the United States, and I see reason to believe that one day I might be able to live there again, maybe even as an equal.
A lot more has to change for this to happen. Today, people in Arizona, California, and Florida voted to ban same-sex marriage; it passed in Arizona and Florida. The vote is very close in California, but one thing is certain: voters hold farm animals in higher esteem than their fellow citizens. We have a long way to go, but when I look at how far we've come in forty-five years, I have hope.
Congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama and to the people of the United States on turning this historic page. Congratulations to African-Americans who can say that they are now full participants in the society and democracy of the United States. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who worked, donated, and voted to make this happen. Someday it will make a difference for me, too.
5 comments:
this is indeed a time for celebration. but like you say, there's still a way to go before the changes that need to happen - do happen.
i'm sure you aren't the only american who will be able to hold his head high for the first time in a long time.
Amen, Son. And who could understand your feelings more right now than a Black American? Change is indeed in the works and as the pundits all predicted, this is a "generational change" so no surprise about Florida, eh? One day....! Love, Mom
Chuck, it's progress. Real progress. I think Prop 8 in California will ultimately fail.
We did it, Chuck. WE did it! We took back our government from the corruption and excess of the last eight years.
Now the real hard work begins. There is no much still to do!
But we DID it!
Yes, I stayed up late past 12:00 midnight just watching the Obama crowds and the speeches. It was glorious. CNN analysts agreed that Obama ran an amazing campaign that was pratically flawless. The difference between the two parties was stark: the Republicans came across as petty and ignorant; the Democrats were focused on the issues and intelligent. McCain's only chance was to try and gain a "mob" mentality of bigots, fundamentalists, and other hate-related groups. Thankfully the majority saw through this and saved us from the darkest of ages. The world, in general, seems happy about our election results, which could mean stronger relationships among the nations and the people.
I think Alabama was the worst state in that it had the most votes for McCain over Obama. I thought Georgia was going to get that rank, but it pulled closer during the night. I still think I'm surrounded by close-minded sheep, but it is time for the sheep to be shorn.
Last night I felt such peace inside knowing that Obama won. It felt good, like a great wrong was made right. I know there are many difficulties facing him and this country, but I think his leadership, intelligence, and positive outlook will persevere and we will become stronger as a country.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/images/2008/11/07/tt081107.jpg
Post a Comment