Wednesday, November 5, 2008

World celebrates win and a house divided



That's the Dial house is divided. 5 members of our immediate family are old enough to vote. We didn't all vote for the same candidate for president. No hard feelings though. We had some good discussions. And when our younger kids voted in their school election, they didn't all vote for the same guy either.

I'm surprised today; many black people have commented that they finally feel like anything really is possible for African Americans. One comment from a black man; "My Mom told me I could be anything I wanted to be when I grew up - except president" Really? I thought we were past that? I know there are crazy racist groups, but I thought as a society we had finally reached a point where we are color blind. I guess now finally we really are.

My Grandpa was a racist in his early days, I don't think he knew better. When I was in 8th grade I brought home a boy I liked. This boy helped our family clean out the garage, probably why he didn't stay long. My parents acted a little strange when he was there. (Sadly now I can't remember his name) I do remember he held my hand on the bus once. It wasn't until he left that I learned why my Dad had acted strange, he never thought one of his daughters would bring home a black boy. It never occured to me that the color of his skin should be an issue.

Everytime one of my kids dates someone of color I think: "Oooh they'd have beautiful babies"

And so while I understand the immense pride the African American community must feel today. As a color blind white person it saddens me how many needed this election to validate their worth and potential.

I read this book 'Three Cups of Tea' it changed my view on a few things; specifically how we respond to the world and the war on terror. The headline; 'World celebrates win.' gives me hope. Maybe Barack can help our image in the world and build better relations while still protecting us from crazy terrorists. He sure has a cute family, and his wife seems real. I look forward to seeing what she wears all the time, and what kind of puppy they get the girls. Important issues that will shape our nation.

Barack, Please don't let politics make you nasty, please don't cheat on your wife that's all I ask.

2 comments:

Cherie said...

Well, I hope I get to the point you are at one day, it is a much healthier view. Not that it has anything to do with the fact that he is black, I'm not racist, I am just frustrated that so many people voted for him because he is.

Ash, Joe, Mia, Michael Beau, Gianna, Jag, Zeus and Pearl said...

Well I love that you posted this , I was shocked when Grandpa came to my moms house recently and right after getting off the phone with me told my mom some pretty outragous things about how he felt about Barack Obama !! I had never realized Grandpas feelings on this matter of race. I know that NO ONE in our family see color as an issue and im proud of that .... but I guess some people still feel color is an issue . Im really proud that millions voted in a person of color , but what im most proud of is that people looked past the mans skin and saw what I saw and elected the right person for our country and the man that will unite us once again !! But I do agree with Cherie on why so many people voted for him . I had a girlfriend in San Diego actually tell me she wants to vote for Obama to try out having a black president and that she fels she should vote for him cause its about time we had a black president and I told her its not like trying on a pair of shoes and deciding they dont fit you and sending the clerk back to get another pair... there is no exchange policy and that made me so dissapointed in people cause I did my homework on both canidates and found that Barack Obama was the right candiate I didnt vote for him cause I felt it was time and he did win because of alot of true votes but id say a lil under half were because of his color