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What We’ve Done
By Corvus | November 5, 2008
I normally avoid the third rail of blogging–politics. This is not because I’m not a political person. I am. In fact, I have become more so over the years, and thanks to Oregon’s vote by mail process, in which I get to research each proposition and candidate as I vote, I suspect I’ll become more and more politically active as time passes.
I avoid talking about politics here first and foremost because I have an international readership that likely doesn’t care about politics in my neck of the woods. Secondly, I believe that political beliefs are deeply personal. They are important in that they reflect our hopes and fears, but I prefer to judge my interactions with people based upon what they directly put into our relationship. I also strongly believe that we need people from all ends of the political landscape. We need everyone contributing–from the radicals on both ends of the spectrum to the moderates. We need the Libertarians, the Green Party, and, yes, the Socialists.
So I don’t really care what your personal politics are–at least not in the “I’m going to change your mind” sense. I assume, perhaps incorrectly, that you sincerely want what you perceive to be best for your particular country, state, county, city, family, or self, and I’m willing to work on our individual relationship from there.
But the citizens of the United States did something remarkable last night. We elected Barack Hussein Obama, who happens, not so insignificantly, to be black. When I say that we did this, I’m not referring merely to the Democrats. We all did it. Together. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents from across the political spectrum. We have shaped and changed our culture for the better so that this was even a possibility–the 44th president of the United States is black.
Within the recent memory of our country, our brothers and sisters of color were not allowed to eat in the same restaurants, go to the same schools, or, famously, sit at the front of the bus with their fellow citizens. Within very recent memory, comparatively, I lost a huge portion of my social group, and was threatened with the loss of my job, when I dated an African American woman in Texas. This, it was explained to me, wasn’t racism on their part, but a strong sense of appropriate behavior.
This is the type of story my country has always told me about race, on one level or another. Minnesota wasn’t so obvious about its racism, but it was there, silent and chilling, an oppressive blanket of censure. Philadelphia had plenty of issues with race, with a myriad of cultural misunderstanding and hatred.
But yesterday, as a nation of individuals, we spoke out against this history and changed our story forever. No child born in the US from this point on will think to question the possibility of a black man becoming president, because it’s a reality. So, the politics of nationalized heath care, nationalized financial institutions, democrats and republicans aside, I would like to thank everyone who voted yesterday. Together, we have changed the story of our nation, and perhaps of the world. Forever.
Tagged:barack obama, election, storytelling. | 10 Comments »
November 5th, 2008 at 7:35 am
I think people from across the spectrum of politics can share in this excitement (though I’m currently listening to my boss rant about the “obamanation” of Obama). We can’t underestimate the morale boost of something like this across the country and the world. I hope that we will all continue to come together instead of wasting time on less than constructive criticism.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:01 am
The face of the United States on the global stage has changed significantly and that is something that cannot be underestimated.
Something incredible happened on November 4th and I don’t think anybody totally understands how much of an impact it will have in the years to come.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Thanks for your lovely post, Corvus. It’s good to celebrate and reflect on this moment. I’m sure tough times are ahead, and all sorts of challenges face this new administration. But for now, what a wonderful time it is and what an historic event we have witnessed.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I’m counting my blessing that while this man may believe marriage is between one man and woman, that he will veto any federal law to ban marriage.
If nothing else, this has me clamoring to change things myself, as I can’t count on others to do it to my pleasing.
November 5th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Is this something we really want to encourage kids of any race to aspire to?
I certainly don’t think so.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Every election is a bit of a letdown for me because I think more people should participate.
That said, I am thankful to the millions who turned out to vote yesterday or did so by early voting and absentee voting. In anticipation of long lines I steeled myself to do what I consider a civic duty and took a book with me while I waited. I also made sure that everyone who worked for me was clear that they were not to use work as an excuse and to take a long lunch, come in late, take an extended break, or whatever but to vote yesterday.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
He’s an amazing man who is going to be an amazing President. We are lucky to have him.
November 5th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I said this on Michael’s blog too, but even though I don’t live in the US anymore, I was very proud of the ol’ motherland last night. Canada’s quite happy about this one and hopefully Obama’s success will encourage Canadians to toss the current Conservative government in the next election.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:44 am
It’s a hell of a thing. I don’t think it’s fully sunk in for me yet just how much of a sea change it is.
I oscillate between being incredibly proud of the country, and being incredibly anxious for the man and his family.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:47 am
When the national election results hit, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of patriotism again, a sense of pride in the country that I hadn’t felt in years. I’m only saddened that the local races didn’t inspire that same sense of confidence in government.