My post election blog that is about politics that nobody really probably wants to read, but if you do awesome.
I'm not sure anyone is going to read this. I know there is politics fatigue. I feel a little, too - trying so hard to retain the perspective October granted me. And so, this should be when I bite my tongue, subdue the snark, and be a gracious winner.
Thing is, I thought my expression of joy in the last 36 hours was graceful. I've tried not to be too negative, but positive in my delight that Barack Obama, a man of color, is voted in for a second term of president. I have to write that sentence because it is so remarkable and a thing I am so glad to observe happen.
But then... the thing of our time that is inevitable is going on Facebook and seeing the opposite sentiment. I seek empathy with everyone, understanding of differences, and the thought that will make me subdue that snark and comprehend another person's unhappiness.
Because, I know. If things had gone another way, I would have been a sore loser. I know I would have been heartbroken by society. I would also, as I saw in many statuses yesterday, declare a sad day for America.
So how do these two realities exist? They can't both be right... but I don't actually think both are wrong. I think we are all informed by different personal histories, fears, hopes, and priorities.
Okay - the random capture of a moment at the keyboard - Jay-Z just said history in the making on my iTunes. Like my Dell and Apple somehow collided to pull the thought out of my head. It is history making in this election. It's profound. A black man, who fifty years ago could have been lynched for suggesting his brotherhood should show up and REGISTER to vote, is the president for a SECOND term. That is awesome.
Would I have thought it so awesome if it were Herman Cain or Michael Steele? Why am I unimpressed by Clarence Thomas in the Supreme Court? Why do I not celebrate these men? Is that prejudice? Prejudice against skin color or against political belief? And is it a double standard if I say that it is not as good for this country... because... I don't think it really is an advance for minorities if those men are given power?
Except... well, that party did not offer up a black presidential candidate. Or a woman candidate. And... it seems the female representatives of that party do very little for women (to me - again I'm rolling around what informs the way I see the world as opposed to the others) - as the representatives of color don't seem to have much sympathy to the minorities they resemble. And maybe... that is why it is still the party of white men.
And I'm sorry Republican friends - if in fact you are reading this - that is how I see it. I wish I could understand your belief that the world is worse than it was four years ago. For me, it isn't. I don't think we are doomed, just as I thought in 2004 when Bush got elected. Yeah, about that... aren't we still paying the price for those second four years now?
But I don't want this blog to be about Bush or finger pointing. I do want to understand. But I also understand that is the thing that is impossible. We are a complex human race and conflict is inevitable.
I have thought a lot about that broader picture of human inevitability in these 36 hours. How what will happen is we will forget all the painful media noise of the last three months within a year. We will forget the good that happened and how minimal the bad that happened really was. But beyond a year - in another 50 years - even with Google and Facebook capturing our thoughts and inclinations, are we going to remember our differences? Or are we going to remember the fact a black man stayed president for a second term? And will the generation so new to the planet in those fifty years say, so what? Because that's the reality they will have always known. I hope that is so. And that hope just took steps closer to reality on Tuesday.
Thing is, I thought my expression of joy in the last 36 hours was graceful. I've tried not to be too negative, but positive in my delight that Barack Obama, a man of color, is voted in for a second term of president. I have to write that sentence because it is so remarkable and a thing I am so glad to observe happen.
But then... the thing of our time that is inevitable is going on Facebook and seeing the opposite sentiment. I seek empathy with everyone, understanding of differences, and the thought that will make me subdue that snark and comprehend another person's unhappiness.
Because, I know. If things had gone another way, I would have been a sore loser. I know I would have been heartbroken by society. I would also, as I saw in many statuses yesterday, declare a sad day for America.
So how do these two realities exist? They can't both be right... but I don't actually think both are wrong. I think we are all informed by different personal histories, fears, hopes, and priorities.
Okay - the random capture of a moment at the keyboard - Jay-Z just said history in the making on my iTunes. Like my Dell and Apple somehow collided to pull the thought out of my head. It is history making in this election. It's profound. A black man, who fifty years ago could have been lynched for suggesting his brotherhood should show up and REGISTER to vote, is the president for a SECOND term. That is awesome.
Would I have thought it so awesome if it were Herman Cain or Michael Steele? Why am I unimpressed by Clarence Thomas in the Supreme Court? Why do I not celebrate these men? Is that prejudice? Prejudice against skin color or against political belief? And is it a double standard if I say that it is not as good for this country... because... I don't think it really is an advance for minorities if those men are given power?
Except... well, that party did not offer up a black presidential candidate. Or a woman candidate. And... it seems the female representatives of that party do very little for women (to me - again I'm rolling around what informs the way I see the world as opposed to the others) - as the representatives of color don't seem to have much sympathy to the minorities they resemble. And maybe... that is why it is still the party of white men.
And I'm sorry Republican friends - if in fact you are reading this - that is how I see it. I wish I could understand your belief that the world is worse than it was four years ago. For me, it isn't. I don't think we are doomed, just as I thought in 2004 when Bush got elected. Yeah, about that... aren't we still paying the price for those second four years now?
But I don't want this blog to be about Bush or finger pointing. I do want to understand. But I also understand that is the thing that is impossible. We are a complex human race and conflict is inevitable.
I have thought a lot about that broader picture of human inevitability in these 36 hours. How what will happen is we will forget all the painful media noise of the last three months within a year. We will forget the good that happened and how minimal the bad that happened really was. But beyond a year - in another 50 years - even with Google and Facebook capturing our thoughts and inclinations, are we going to remember our differences? Or are we going to remember the fact a black man stayed president for a second term? And will the generation so new to the planet in those fifty years say, so what? Because that's the reality they will have always known. I hope that is so. And that hope just took steps closer to reality on Tuesday.
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