A few years ago I was sitting in front of the television watching Oprah. Her guest for this particular episode was a senator from Illinois. He was handsome, charismatic, and seemed to have his finger on the pulse of America. I remember thinking at the time, if we ever have a African-American for President this will be the guy. (By the way, I feel the same about Condoleezza Rice. If we ever have a woman President she'll be the one). Now I certainly don't claim to have psychic powers. I would venture to guess that thousands of people watching Oprah that day had the same feeling.Well as I sat watching the television last night, history was made when we elected our first African-American President. I must admit, I felt pride in our country. As I listened and watched individuals who were alive during the civil rights movement describe the awful events they once lived through, I thought to myself "We've come along way". I wondered if those young black men and women, who withstood being sprayed by water hoses, beating after beating, and even death for their God given rights, knew that they would be the first dominoes in the movement that would lead to the election of our first African-American President.
I have always been embarrassed to belong to a country with such an ugly past. I hated the fact that I lived in a country where at one time men felt that the color of their skin made him less or more than the brother standing next to him. I also remember sitting in front of the television and watching Roots and crying for Kunte Kente as he was beaten and dehumanized for the color of his skin. I recall hating the color of my own skin because I belonged to the same race that thought they had the right to treat another human being this way. Shame on us!!
Well last night I must say I think we took a huge step forward in the right direction. I truly felt that the color of the man didn't matter. What mattered was the man. I felt joy for boys and girls of every race who witnessed for themselves the step we took away from such a tainted past. I truly felt proud to be an American. The only shame I felt last night was for the solid democratic south that chose last night to vote on the republican ticket. I recant my disapproval if as a state you voted for McCain due to his political views. However, if you chose to switch parties due to the color of a man's skin, Shame on you!
Having said all this, I know that there are those who will read my blog today and be shocked or even disapprove of the candidate I chose to lend my support to. Let me say this, there or several of his policies to which I stand in disagreement. But it might shock some of you to know that there are some which I do not.
President Obama and I don't take that same stance on abortion. While I do believe it's an individuals choice if they have sex or not (assuming it is her choice) I think they give up their own rights once a baby is conceived. I believe in a baby's right to live. I can assure you that I will let our newly elected President know of my feelings concerning abortion.
So let me just say that I was in deed proud of this country of ours last night as President Obama assumed the title as President elect. And while many of you may disagree with the man's policies I hope you can feel pride in a country that came along way last night in leaving behind a very ugly past.
(I decided to remove my stance on gay marriage due to the fact that it would take me much longer than one paragraph to explain my stance and it really wasn't the point of this post.)
7 comments:
He's a handsome man. I was very emotional last night at the significance of electing him. I am encouraged for our country, for sure.
I was conflicted about the marriage thing. It's such a complex issue. Ultimately though, I decided the prophet has to be right, so I decided to stand with AZ prop 102 and CA prop 8, although I'm sure it angered my liberal friends and hurt the feelings of my gay friends. Steve and I have talked about the legal implications. If gay marriage becomes federally protected, then BYU could lose federal funding for not recognizing it. The church could lose the authority to marry people if they refuse to marry same-sex couples in the temple. Like I said, it's complex. For now, I'm glad the two props have passed to slow down the rapid moral shift in this country.
Good post.
Amen to what Emily said about the marriage props. If the church leaders (ie. prophets of God) encourage us to do all we can to preserve the sanctity of marriage, I eager to place my "Yes for 102" sign in my yard.
Although I didn't vote for Obama, I was pleased to have my children piled on the couch with me, listening to his acceptance speech and explain to them the significance of this historic moment and the importance of respect and tolerance ranging from political beliefs all the way to race.
Christie, I am not judging you at all, though. Trust me, I had so many people imply that I am unrighteous for voting for Obama, that I have had it! You are entitled to pray about and come to your own decisions, and that is fantastic.
You are awesome.
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