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Monday, November 10, 2008
The Election: The Timing is Right
To keep this blog apolitical, since this blog is supposed to be about my experience with parenting, motherhood and green living (HA! as if I ever keep within those boundaries!), I won't go into details about my views on an Obama presidency. In order words, I won't say whether I'm for or against it or whether or not I voted for or against him. Sorry folks, I just prefer not too. BTW - my green posts are at an all time low and I sincerely apologize. I've started plenty of new posts but never seem to finish any of them.
Back to what I was saying... The best way I can express my views on our election is that the timing is right. The tides of racial equality have been slow in coming at times in our country. Although, the civil rights movements of the 60s opened extraordinary doors for African Americans and significantly narrowed the racial gap, the work left to be done is still great. Our media, our culture and our nation is still very controlled by images centered by one race. When I saw this poignant video about a year ago I realized as much as things have changed, things still remain the same.
It really disturbs me that in this day and age a little black boy or a little black girl still feels inferior to his/her caucasion counterpart. There is something inherently wrong in our culture if any child from any races feels less than because of the colour of his/her skin. I saw a documentary on PBS on children's views of race. The documentary was done about 2-3 years ago. One of the questions asked to an African American child is would she like to be president when she grows up. The little girl responded,
"There aren't no black presidents. I've never seen one."
The little girl didn't even address the question that was asked to her. In her mind there hasn't ever been a black president before so it seemed pointless to expound on that issue. Sad - very sad.
An Obama presidency won't cure all the racial ills. I don't see a miraculous transformation occurring over this nation. Just yesterday on CNN news was an excerpt about a family who woke up to a burning cross on their front lawn post the win of our President elect. Even during the campaigns there were nuckleheads out there spewing their hatred.
We will probably have haters and naysayers for awhile. But slowly and progressively our nation will move forward and the beyond the racial choppy waters to calmer seas. As Green Me so rightfully commented about my post on the rebel flag & swastika, "...At some point though, the symbols will become a part of history and "holding" a grudge against them will probably become passe. For example, in 1800 it probably wasn't too cool to hang a British Flag from one's window in Boston, but now that would not be a big deal."
Today, electing our first black/biracial president is historic. It's monumental and worth all the brouhaha and hoopla it has mustered. I made sure my son understands the importance and significance it has in his life. I don't want him to ever think that this moment in history should be viewed nonchalantly. I've saved newspapers, my "My Vote Counts" sticker and other items that I can savage of this momentous occurance.
However, in the back of my mind I long for a day when it won't be such a big deal when an African American, Asia, Hispanic or any other race other than Caucasion man/woman wins presidency. If any of my sons should ever become president, I hope I can rejoy and celebrate because he'll be an outstanding president and not because it's wonderful that we are seeing another African American in the office. Nonetheless, until that day comes, today I am proud of this nation for taking another step closer to One Nation Under God.
Looking for gifts, apparels and novelties with a green theme? Check us out at
Sha~Dou!
Back to what I was saying... The best way I can express my views on our election is that the timing is right. The tides of racial equality have been slow in coming at times in our country. Although, the civil rights movements of the 60s opened extraordinary doors for African Americans and significantly narrowed the racial gap, the work left to be done is still great. Our media, our culture and our nation is still very controlled by images centered by one race. When I saw this poignant video about a year ago I realized as much as things have changed, things still remain the same.
It really disturbs me that in this day and age a little black boy or a little black girl still feels inferior to his/her caucasion counterpart. There is something inherently wrong in our culture if any child from any races feels less than because of the colour of his/her skin. I saw a documentary on PBS on children's views of race. The documentary was done about 2-3 years ago. One of the questions asked to an African American child is would she like to be president when she grows up. The little girl responded,
"There aren't no black presidents. I've never seen one."
The little girl didn't even address the question that was asked to her. In her mind there hasn't ever been a black president before so it seemed pointless to expound on that issue. Sad - very sad.
An Obama presidency won't cure all the racial ills. I don't see a miraculous transformation occurring over this nation. Just yesterday on CNN news was an excerpt about a family who woke up to a burning cross on their front lawn post the win of our President elect. Even during the campaigns there were nuckleheads out there spewing their hatred.
We will probably have haters and naysayers for awhile. But slowly and progressively our nation will move forward and the beyond the racial choppy waters to calmer seas. As Green Me so rightfully commented about my post on the rebel flag & swastika, "...At some point though, the symbols will become a part of history and "holding" a grudge against them will probably become passe. For example, in 1800 it probably wasn't too cool to hang a British Flag from one's window in Boston, but now that would not be a big deal."
Today, electing our first black/biracial president is historic. It's monumental and worth all the brouhaha and hoopla it has mustered. I made sure my son understands the importance and significance it has in his life. I don't want him to ever think that this moment in history should be viewed nonchalantly. I've saved newspapers, my "My Vote Counts" sticker and other items that I can savage of this momentous occurance.
However, in the back of my mind I long for a day when it won't be such a big deal when an African American, Asia, Hispanic or any other race other than Caucasion man/woman wins presidency. If any of my sons should ever become president, I hope I can rejoy and celebrate because he'll be an outstanding president and not because it's wonderful that we are seeing another African American in the office. Nonetheless, until that day comes, today I am proud of this nation for taking another step closer to One Nation Under God.
Looking for gifts, apparels and novelties with a green theme? Check us out at
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6 comments:
Amen.amen.amen! my children know the significance, we talked about it too.
"I don't want him to ever think that this moment in history should be viewed nonchalantly."
This is how I feel as well. I had a very hard time choosing who to vote for, but now that it's over, I want my children to understand that they were blessed to experience history in the making.
Couldn't have said it better.
The video posted shares the heart of the matter. Let us not discard the voice of the younger generation we can all gain insight from their view.
Obama as the next American President is certainly cause for celebration.
Amen to that, my love. One Nation Under God.
Lovely video. So on point. Going to get my natural locks ready for work now.