A Time for Change

It's funny, the first Presidential election I voted in was Bill Clinton's first election. I was at Jon's parent's house and they were decidedly unhappy about the results of that election. I, on the other hand, was jumping around for joy. I think back on that now and have to admire their patience - I can remember that Jon's Dad was just happy that I, as a young voter, wasn't apathetic. I had made the effort to go out and vote and actually be engaged in the process and I guess that was enough for them. Still, when I remember that evening I remember the grace with which they handled that situation.

This election was so different for me. Yes, I'm happy. Yes, I think Barack Obama is going to be a wonderful President. I'm incredibly proud of my country that we stood up for change and really showed that anything is possible here. I could talk for a long time about why I think the best candidate won and why that alone makes me so very happy. And so I would have been joyful tonight regardless of the historic nature of this campaign.

I also know that race shouldn't be an issue in determining President of the United States. It shouldn't matter what color Barack Obama is. But it does. When I saw the lines of African American voters in Detroit that waited (some were saying 5 hours?!?) to cast their votes, the looks on their faces, it does matter. At one point during the coverage of the victory celebrations they panned in on this elderly black man who just stood there with tears pouring down his face. When I saw him and thought about what he must have seen and how this must feel for him...there were tears pouring down my face, too. The suffering, the humiliation, the pain and discrimination that black people have faced in this country throughout it's history. The hard fought battles to be freed from slavery, to be able to testify in court, to be able to vote, to be able to attend the same schools and use the same bathrooms, dine in the same restaurants, as white people. I am so proud tonight of my country that we CAN CHANGE, we can grow and learn. I am so proud that we have judged a candidate by the "content of his character" and not the color of his skin.

I could not stop crying tonight. Thomas kept asking me why I was crying if I was happy and it was so hard to explain to him. Seven years ago my father (biological father, that is, not to be confused with my always loving and supportive step-father, Jerry) predicted all kinds of dire things would befall my baby and I because of his mixed race heritage. When Thomas was born, this became something of a joke because of his blonde blonde hair and bright blue eyes. But then Liam was born. Beautiful baby Liam with his deep brown eyes, silky brown hair and golden skin. Would he have the same opportunities available to him as blonde haired/blue eyed Thomas and Liliana do? Tonight I feel I can definitely say that he will. And I can imagine the mothers across the land who can say without reservation that their children can truly be anything they want to be in this great country.

God Bless America.

Love,
Melissa