Politics » The Chronicles of Munchkin Land

Will This Be the Change We Need? I Dare to Hope.

Adoption, in General, Politics 2 Responses »

Nov 052008

I wrote this last night right after it was announced that Ohio went blue.

I grew up in Western Pennsylvania. And my heart will always reside in Pittsburgh. I will forever bleed black and gold.

And, truth be told, I’ve never really been proud to be an Ohioan. I’ve been the butt of jokes and I just wanted to say, ”BUT! I’M NOT REALLY!”

Until tonight.

My God, we’re going blue. I had hoped. I had prayed. I had thought that maybe it was possible. But I’m cynical and skeptical and I just didn’t think that my vote and my friends’ votes and the votes of others like us would overcome the votes of my in-laws and our neighbors. I was almost out of hope.

But, darn it, I’m an Ohioan. You can’t blame me (or us) this year or for the next four years.

I’m so choked up.

That was before the announcement that Obama had won. And yes, I cried. My Husband gave me a big, big hug and I just cried. I had dared to hope. I had dared to dream. But I had this small voice in the back of my head that said it wasn’t possible. I let myself worry which, of course, is part of my nature: I’m a worrier.

I’m proud today. I know the long road that lies ahead of our President, our new Congressional leaders and for us as concerned citizens no matter who we voted for yesterday. I’m well aware that there are no easy answers or changes. In fact, change often sucks. I normally hate change. But I’m ready for it. Apparently others were as well.

Now if only I could get a personal interview with President Elect Obama and/or his very intelligent wife and find out their stand on adoptees gaining access to their Original Birth Certificates. I know, I know. There are much bigger changes that will be concentrated upon but, well, with the successful election of Obama, my heart is daring to hope that maybe all of this other change will lead to the change that so many have been longing for and dreaming of for so, so long.

Maybe this really will be the change we need.

You Can Tell Me That Race Has Nothing To Do With It

Politics, Racism 4 Responses »

Nov 032008

But it does.

I live in Ohio. And here? Race has everything to do with it. Okay, well, not everything. Those who aren’t concerned about his “being black” are concerned with the “fact” that he is Muslim. Or that he kills babies. Or that he’s the anti-Christ. But, yes, most of it goes back to his skin color. And this drives me absolutely insane. (Obviously, there are intelligent, non-bigots that support McCain but even those among my real life friends have talked about this sad reality.)

Rally! YAY! I made it out to a rally yesterday. My first and, obviously, only of the season. I missed previous ones due to short notice, other plans and random illness(es). All the same, standing outside yesterday, even though it was in the upper 60′s, has left me almost without a voice today. (My chorale director will be thrilled, no?) I stood there, in what was touted as Columbus’ biggest rally ever, and looked at the people around me. White families. Black families. Hispanic families. Mixed families (which included one in our group).

It was just very moving to me. To see people in this state, of all states, come together. To hear them united in a cause instead of spewing hate at one another. To feel encouraged that Obama might actually win instead of discouraged by the words of hate that I’ve had to endure for months and months. To feel that perhaps change is possible. And not even all of the change that even some supporters are skeptical of Obama delivering. While it would be great if everything fell into place, I’m well aware that it will be a tough, long road for some of the reforms.

But the change I’m looking forward to?

When my daughter and her daughter and my friend’s daughter who was with us might actually be able to believe that they, too, could be President. When gender won’t be an issue. When race won’t be an issue. Well, maybe not the complete absence of an issue. But perhaps to the point where those who actually vocalize their distaste in voting outside of their own racial identity will be in the vast, vast minority and shunned as the ignorant fools that they are.

Someday we’ll be able to stand together, even in this strange state of Ohio. Until then, my task is to raise my sons to feel and think the same way despite what others around them may do or say. And, sadly, that will be a task enough in itself thanks to the hatred that lives in this area.

But I’ll hold out hope. Tomorrow and always.