Originally posted on Thu 11/6/2008, 9:21 PM
Current mood: optimistic
Category: News and Politics
I relent. I can avoid the subject no longer. I don't have much interest or use for a pointed political debate, no matter how "healthy" it's supposed to be. I frankly don't care to engage anyone in a discussion on people's political views, except maybe with my brilliant sister. In my opinion, your political affiliations/beliefs are a personal choice that shouldn't be subject to scrutiny if the believer doesn't solicit it. Though I wouldn't call this sometimes disturbing blog-of-mine necessarily 'politically correct', I generally stay away from writing about politics if I can help it. Not because I'm afraid to participate in a political discussion, it can just can be so heavy sometimes. I wouldn't call myself particularly political either but I'm somewhat knowledgeable in some areas of political relevance. There have been poignant and poetic references to our country's new political and united direction. There have been absolutely beautiful words, sentiments, stories and speeches shared, there will no doubt be many more before it's all said and done. So, I won't try to make this good, just honest and heartfelt. I must confess, McCain's concession speech was one of the most beautiful and moving speeches I have ever heard in my entire life…including Dr. King's 'I Have A Dream' speech. I believe that had McCain's campaign taken on the tone of his concession speech, he would've been nearly impossible to defeat, even with his questionable choice for Vice President. Hell, I might have voted for him! (But probably not). Growing up, it was always painfully obvious that there was a "class" separation between the ethnic races, no matter what one's actual economic status or financial portfolio was. It's always saddened me that there are people that hate some, more than they love their own. How could someone disown a family member, their own child even, because that person chose to be with someone from another race or religion? Sad. Disappointing. Limited. And people, there's no such thing as reverse racism, it's just racism. White slavery, is still just slavery. If you see two women of different races standing on a corner, and you're trying to point one out, one with a pink shirt on, the other with a blue shirt on, there's no need to point out their race…pointing out their shirt color will suffice. After watching the VP debate and reading America's reply to it, I was floored by the deliberate, blind, ignorant and immense bigotry of some people that will choose whichever candidate that isn't the African American one, no matter how atrociously inept their own candidate of choice is. As one ignorant American plainly pointed out, 'I dunno, I just can't bring myself to vote for a colored'. Colored?! Are you serious? In 2008? Yep, I kid you not…those were his exact words. To be honest, I appreciate his candor, no matter how slow-witted he is. Yes, people are still that hateful, misguided and bigoted. Let's face it, the world is filled with people with limited intellect and vision. I consider myself an intelligent, honest, well-spoken, socially conscience woman. I even tip (generously). Yet even now, in 2008, I'm still followed in stores. As a matter of fact, a salesperson mercilessly followed me around a CVS store last night as I looked through their cosmetic section. For that reason exclusively, I refused to purchase anything from them last night. And people can claim that this ridiculousness does not exist, perhaps out of ignorance or cluelessness, but the self-aware person can definitely see it. The saddest part of all that is, I actually expect that treatment. However, if they're downright blatant about it, I make sure I don't EVER spend one penny of my hard-earned cash there or at any place affiliated with them. In stores, I never dig for my phone when I'm not in clear view of someone that can attest to the fact that I'm not stealing. Sad but true. It's just the world we live in. I'm not sure there would be great strides for equality in any other country either. There's bigotry and corruption everywhere. Believe me when I'm tell you I'm not trying to elicit fury when I write this because ignorance is a treatable condition and should, at times, be dealt with intelligently. Understand, I would never try to push my beliefs on anyone, political or otherwise. I don't even know if voting Democratic or any other party ticket would/could drastically change our economy instantly. Personally, I believe it would be a virtually impossible feat for ANY president. (BTW, I've never voted a straight Democratic ticket in my entire life). Right now though, I believe that "The Unknown" future, can't be much worse than the "How It Is" present. I remember feeling that exact same way in college when Bill Clinton was campaigning against Bush Sr. (who I like by the way). Back then, Bill Clinton was a regular staple on nighttime programs like Arsenio Hall, playing his saxophone. Hollywood? Yes. Celebrity-like? Sure. Fresh-faced and unknown (in my circles at least)? Absolutely. But I'd known a few people that had been back from The Gulf War and they were never the same. The one that comes to mind right now, was a (perhaps overly) confident male stripper before he went. He came back and he didn't look or act the same. He was like a zombie, a shell of a man. He died shortly after his return in a freak traffic accident (a car from an overlapping freeway fell on his car.) Clearly, you can't assign that tragedy to The Gulf War but I did somehow. It just always seemed to me that he was kinda looking for a way to die. I thought then, could it get worse than that? I thought "No" and cast my vote for the saxophone-playing, smooth talking Arkansas governor. Was I wrong to jump into The Unknown like that? Turns out I wasn't. Was I wrong to think that it couldn't get worse than the state of our country during and after The Gulf War? "Yes," I most certainly was. Frankly, it's hard to believe that anybody sane would want to be president and inherit this mess. I joked with sis recently that it's like trying to turn a dilapidated crack house into the Taj Mahal with no money. I couldn't do it but then again, I'm not running for president. But with the recent happenings, for the first time in my life, I believe I could run and actually win one day. My parents always told me that I could be president one day if I wanted to, and for a long time, I believed nothing else. It wasn't until the harsh realities of the world made me rethink that idealistic possibility. I support anybody's decision to do/vote however they want, I would just hope that the voter in question, would always use intelligence and forethought when doing so. I would think some people would know me well enough to know that I'm not the kind of person that would just vote for someone because of the color of their skin. I mean, that would make me just plain stupid. I would hope (and pray) that I am far from stupid. The history made the other day had never been a racial issue to me…NEVER. I've never let anyone/anything dictate who I should like, love or accept. I've always built relationships (in all facets) on the merits of someone's character. I love who I love & I accept who I accept, no approval needed...from anyone. People that know me well, will know that to be the absolute truth about me…and it always has been. Look, no one knows what the national benefits will actually be from this country's change of direction. But it's clear, to most all of the world, from the super power countries to the not-so "super" power countries, that America has inspired a proud hope that transcends all racial, economic, analytical, social and emotional lines. A lost hope that many, including me at times, had never seriously thought attainable...not in my lifetime at least. Even if you're a basically negative & pessimistic person, you'd have to agree that the fact of that alone, aside from all else, is a reason rejoice.
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