The dark cloud always waiting for you.
“IF there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”*
I’ve been pretty hard on the American Dream lately, have made statements about it being a myth or a fantasy or available only beyond America’s shores. But as Barack Obama started his speech last night, as the first black president of the United States took the stage, I realized that I was wrong. The election results last night exorcised the demons of slavery and racial discrimination from the America soul. It gave me hope that my homeland is making a transition after eight years of disastrous foreign and domestic policy and is on its way to being a country to which I could imagine returning one day.
But…
But, I am extremely disheartened about some of the results last night. The Alaska senate race is laughable as it seems a convicted criminal has been elected to represent them in the United States Senate. Is there any way that we could convince Alaska to secede. This stands in stark contrast to a senate election in Missouri in 2000 in which Missouri repudiated the wing nut John Ashcroft in favor of a dead man.
What I am most unhappy about, however, are four ballot measures. Three of them, in Arizona, California and (predictably) Florida, banned gay marriage in those states. The worst, however, was in Arkansas where the voters opted to ban adoption by gay couples. I had hoped that we were past this kind of hatred as a nation. I had hoped that the election of a black man to the highest office in the land meant that we were rejecting prejudice and discrimination. But it seems that it is still acceptable to discriminate against homosexuality. It is still acceptable to hate gays and refuse them the rights that are available that happened to be born with a certain combination of alleles.
Well, shame on us. When are we going to grow up? When are we going to stop saying, “Ewww, homos! I don’t like them.” What difference does it make to heterosexual marriage if we extend the same opportunity to homosexuals? When are we going to stay out of our neighbors relationships and bedrooms? When are we going to stop legislating hatred?
Call me a negative nelly, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. Every silver lining has a big old gray cloud surrounding it.
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* This got my attention, but my favorite part of Obama’s speech and the part that brought tears to my eyes, was this:
“I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.”
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John Mellencamps’s gritty version of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” was featured on a compilation called “Song of America” available from eMusic.
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[…] The dark cloud always waiting for you. The dark cloud always waiting for you. Posted by admin on Nov 06 2008 | Florida, USA, politics “IF there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”* I’ve been pretty hard on the American Dream lately, have made statements about it being a myth or a fantasy or available only beyond America’s shores. But […]
06 Nov 2008 at 8:23 am
That is the EXACT same place in his speech that got me. I admit it, I cried. By all accounts he is a wonderful person, a great husband, loving father and he will be a wonderful leader for our great nation. I’m still on a high.
(and yes, I too an disappointed on your other topic… it is terribly sad that as a nation we can’t get past those age old issues and give everyone the same basic civil liberties they deserve…)
06 Nov 2008 at 9:23 am
I still get chills just reading that last quote, my favorite part as well. I taped the speech so I could show it to my three-year old daughter, who has been very caught up in the Obama fever at our house. She’s very excited for Malia and Sasha!
As for the other. Baby steps. Last night was BIG! The best man won… try to stay positive. Baby steps. We’ll get there. Now I actually have HOPE!
06 Nov 2008 at 10:40 am
The entire speech gave me chills.
Last night reminds me that we have come so far, yet we still have so far to go. We elected a black guy to be president, which is so historic, but it doesn’t mean all is well. The anti-gay measures that passed are sad, but in time, it will become better. At least I hope so.
06 Nov 2008 at 11:08 am
As elated as I am over Obama’s win, I am heartsick over the hatred shown toward the GLBT community. I’m trying not to let it ruin the moment, but it’s hard
06 Nov 2008 at 11:28 am
Just over 40 years ago, blacks were first allowed to vote. Now one has been elected president. It will take patience, but I have faith that in time people will learn that gays are no more of a threat to us than blacks. Or that muslims are not evil incarnate. Or…
There is always one more group to hate… to fear… to subdue. But if those of us who know better continue to have faith and hope, we can continue to make things better. One baby step at a time.
I think yesterday was one large step… one that many people are not yet ready for, but I trust that in time they will see there is nothing to fear here. And then we can begin to knock down the next wall.
06 Nov 2008 at 11:38 am
I also found myself emotional from his speech.
Intolerance breeds intolerance. I don’t know if anything will change in our generation, or in our lifetime, but it will eventually change. The gay population is going to face the same uphill battle that black people (or just minorities in general) faced over the decades.
I’ll be doing my part by raising Tyler to understand that it’s just as natural to be gay as it is to not be gay. He will grow up to understand, accept, and embrace differences.
06 Nov 2008 at 1:14 pm
Erin - The puppy thing? Yeah.
Toasty - I know, baby steps. I know it’s a generational thing and will change. I’m just disappointed.
Courtney - There’s some irony that the increased black vote actually helped these anti-gay measures to pass as black voters supported them at a much higher rate than white voters.
Badger - By no means ruins the moment, but just shows that there is work to do.
Lara - You’re right. I wonder who will be next after the gays.
Tyler - Me too, and I think that this will change over time. It’s all about tolerance.
06 Nov 2008 at 1:44 pm
The last legal bastion of discrimination in America is aimed at gays and lesbians (I’m not claiming others aren’t discriminated against, but this is the only group that still has the laws to prove it). Britney Spears can get married in Vegas and have it annulled overnight, but two people who are truly committed to one another and happen to be of the same sex devalue marriage. I just keep telling myself that amendments restricting rights are always over-turned. But it still makes me sad that my child is being born into a world that thinks same-sex couples are less than human.
It seems like a lot of people are bothered by the dual outcome of this election, and I believe a lot of people are energized by this conundrum. Whatever the next move is to overturn Prop. 8, you can bet I’ll be working for it, even though I don’t like getting involve in politics.
Aprils last blog post..Two steps forward, one step back
06 Nov 2008 at 3:08 pm
Pretty soon, some bright Christianist will put up a ballot that bans homosexuals from being teachers–kids might get the idea that it’s OK. Or doctors or nurses–I mean, who wants a homosexual touching him? And you know what? The measures will pass.
That does it. Can’t live in America. Ever.
Expect a long post from me on this subject, when I can spare the time.
HB8
P.S. Don’t say “nelly”. It’s not PC.
headbang8s last blog post..Dirndl-boob deep* in Oktoberfest
06 Nov 2008 at 4:55 pm
Oh, I watched the whole thing with tears in my eyes. Just amazing. Interesting to note that in McCains concession speech, his supporters booed at the mention of Obama. Yet Obamas supporters clapped for McCain.
On a totally different note ….. we have a Siberian Husky too! Pure white, her name is Mischka. So gentle.
Nice to meet you!
topcats last blog post..I Wouldn’t Trade the Pain for What I’ve Learned
06 Nov 2008 at 7:06 pm
I think we’ll get there eventually on gay rights, but what is nice for me, as an American abroad, is the distinctly new respect America has gained. And frankly, the ballot initiatives you mentioned got zero press around here (and Europe’s record on those issues isn’t so great either).
I need to go out and buy some newspapers. Yesterday they were cautiously optimistic, with early deadlines preventing an all out claim of an Obama victory. Also, heard on the radio this morning that yesterday’s PM questions was all about who’s more like Obama. It was a three way fight! Funny.
KathyFs last blog post..He Had Me At "President-elect Obama"
06 Nov 2008 at 8:17 pm
Yeah, I couldn’t believe Alaska would send a felon to DC…oh wait a minute…they elected Palin governor! Ballot initiative results were disheartening…the one shining light was in Washington state where they passed a right to die amendment.
06 Nov 2008 at 9:18 pm
I was so disappointed in those items, too. Two steps forward, one step still in the shit, I guess. This win gives me faith, though, that a judgment has been made against the so-called moral majority. I hope.
07 Nov 2008 at 1:08 am
Wht a momentous day it was. I only hope he can live up to a fraction of expectations then he will have done well.
jams O’Donnells last blog post..British WWI veteran dies
07 Nov 2008 at 6:07 am
There are always those who would point out the grey cloud on the horizon of a beautiful sunrise. There will always be haters in every country, not just in the US. I’m proud of how many of us actually did vote for the man who represents the turning of the bigotry tide. Doesn’t mean it won’t still be there, festering, but maybe we can get some good work done in spite of them?
(Oh, oh! Have you heard the scuttle on the grapevine from the disgruntled Republicans, about how Obama might not be an American citizen? That he only went to Hawaii to get his birth certificate, not to see his dying grandmother? That’s what I’m talking about man - just like plutonium, hate has a hell of a shelf life!)
07 Nov 2008 at 6:58 am
April - I guess I just don’t understand. Why is it such a big deal if gays and lesbians can get married? Does it make a heterosexual marriage less significant if we extend the same rights to gays? Are people that insecure. It’s fear and hatred, the same way that racism or sexism is.
Headbang - I thought you may have some feelings about this. Why isn’t nelly PC? How about negative nancy? Is that better?
Topcat - How cool! (The dog.) Ours has come with with us from the States via Britain. I think he’s tired of moving.
Kathy - Don’t get me wrong, I feel the same way as you about the Obama victory. I’m just disappointed that in a year of change, we can’t make this change. Even in California!
June - The shining light of the right to die, eh?
But Gypsy, the moral majority had some wins.
Jams - I don’t envy the mess he’s been left.
We Be Toys - My son was born in Britain, but is a natural born citizen constitutionally. John McCain was born in Panama, but is a natural born citizen constitutionally. I don’t think it’s going to get far whatever the truth.
07 Nov 2008 at 7:18 am
I cried reading your post, and I whole heartedly agree with everything you’ve said– except the part about Alaska, if they left the union I would be very sad– it’s my favorite state.
Florida Girl In Sydneys last blog post..Does Anybody Out There Even Care?
07 Nov 2008 at 1:22 pm
Indeed. Bittersweet indeed. I still have hope. One small step at a time. And, as you know, I proudly voted for Mel Carnahan (yes, he was pushin’ up daisies at the time) over John Ashcroft. Elated when the dead guy won! Only to be mortified a few weeks later when Bush appointed him Atty. Gen. Seriously! If he can’t beat the dead guy, maybe he’s just not up for it!
mongoliangirls last blog post..Look! There’s lint on your shoe!
07 Nov 2008 at 1:23 pm
negative nigel perhaps?
arizaphales last blog post..Obligatory Post For The Day zzzzzzz
07 Nov 2008 at 5:15 pm
I’m way behind obviously, but yes. YES.
It was such a bittersweet victory. What the hell does it all mean?
maggie, dammits last blog post..Violence Unsilenced
11 Nov 2008 at 5:54 am
WOW! You hit the nail on the head dead center. I agree with 100% of what you said (always a rarity in politics). I am no fan of Obama, but am a fan of freedom. Agree with his politics or not you have to feel good that the better candidate won regardless of race. Though I don’t support McCain anymore than I do Obama, it is hard for me to imagine supporting his waffling, “let’s mirror the democrats” campaign. Seriously, I don’t know who is worse, one who openly embraces Socialism (while acting like it is a dirty word) or “THAT one” whose position is too weak to defined against it like his party line once did.
Frankly, I was disappointed that the margin of victory wasn’t higher than it was. Seriously, if Barack had been all white (with a “more American friendly” name) can you imagine that he would have drawn less than 60% of the popular vote? Don’t let this Pyrrhic victory fool you, racism is alive and well in this country.
But even our next VP did a horrid job in the debate defending gay rights. He said yes, they should be entitled to the same CIVIL rights as hetero couples, but they shouldn’t be “married”. What role does the government have in married other than a CIVIL role? Would everyone be happy if we allowed gays to get “fairied”. Gay rights will be the flag for our children to wave - and they will. We shall overcome,
Thanks for the great insight and post. I guess it takes someone living out of country to have a world view.
11 Nov 2008 at 8:38 am
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945
11 Nov 2008 at 9:05 am