I have been meaning to write on the outcome of the election but frankly I have struggled to decide how I feel about all of it. After a few days to really think about it, my thoughts are as follows:
The hope that I feel knowing President Elect Obama will be taking the reigns is great. I look forward to the changes he will bring but understand his journey, and ours, will be a difficult one. I can only hope that the country is able to unite in support of our new president. In order to succeed, we must acknowledge that he has a lot on his plate to deal with. He has said it before, things may get worse before they get better- but they WILL get better.
On election night, I was at a late dinner party with friends when the results were announced. We celebrated with toasts and cheers before taking to the streets. My friends and I found ourselves in a mass of celebration. Our parade of thousands stopped traffic and walked (chanting the whole way) from 116th and Broadway, Columbia's main intersection, to the heart of Harlem at Malcolm X Blvd and Martin Luther King Jr. High fives, hugs and screams were shared with strangers as people came together to celebrate such an important historical event. (I will post my videos/pictures soon) The excitement was palpable and as I looked around, we were making our own history. The rich, white, ivy league kids were celebrating with the homeless, people who live in the projects, people who we had been warned to avoid and who avoided us. We had not only crossed the line into the community we are so often at odds with, we had totally blended into a multicolored group of joy. We were not wealthy, poor, white, black, smart, dumb, at risk or successful. We were a united group of Americans coming together in our shared beliefs. It was a truly awesome experience to be a part of.
That being said, this voting season was bitter sweet for me. In California, many propositions were on the ballot- a few of them concerning topics that are very meaningful to me:
Prop 2 - Standards for Confining Farm Animals - passed
I was very happy to hear that Californians recognize the importance of animal life and that we have a moral obligation to reduce pain and suffering to the best of our ability. Of course this is no where near the end of the fight for animal rights, but progress is progress.
Prop 4 - Parent Notification Before Terminating Minor's Pregnancy - not passed
The right to choose is something I have struggled with for a while. Ultimately, however, I believe that it is a personal decision and the option should be available. By passing this law, we are saving many young girls from dangerous back alley procedures. Parents who have a problem with this proposition should instead look at their relationships with their daughters and consider why they need this law. I know that if I had a daughter I would want to know if she was in this position, but I plan on ensuring that by being a supportive and understanding mother- and teaching safe sex to begin with. You shouldn't need a law to ensure you know what's going on in your kid's life. It's called communication.
Prop 8 - Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry - passed (as of nov. 8)
This is where the words stop forming complete sentences. The bitterness cited above is encapsulated completely with the passage of this proposition. California, whether we like it or not, is the front runner in gay rights and liberal thinking in general. I have always been immensely proud of that but now- I am ashamed. This is not the California I love. The most difficult part, for me, is that gay marriage was legal. This was not an initiative to legalize it- to make progress. This was a proposition to take a step BACK in civil liberties; to strip rights from such an important community in our state. The LGBT community is not a hidden minority in the golden state; yes I take into account I live between San Francisco and Guernville. I just don't understand how something that was legal and not causing any problems (did you hear about huge protests and rallies against gay marriage?) could be so quickly taken away by the state in our union that is known for equality and progress. People who voted yes on 8 are not the Californians I know and love. This is not what California is about. If you voted yes on 8, I highly encourage you to move to another state- clearly you don't stand for what Californians are supposed to be about. A friend from the east coast asked me tonight, "if not California, then where?" His point was clear- California is a leader. We were doing so well to show the rest of the country that we can have gay marriage and be ok. What will they think now? We have not only ruined equality in our own state but deterred the hope for it in our country as a whole.
11 comments:
cough this post first found at http://nakedalliance.blogspot.com/ cough cough
and it's Guerneville, get it right!!!!
but with my god complex and mean spiritedness aside, in all seriousness, I pretty much agree with you 100% and the passing of 8 is disturbing, if not horrifying. It's a giant step back, a representation of an archaic mentality that should be gone in modern society, and (one would think) especially in California. If this vote to amend the state constitution happened in any other state it may not be as frightening, but the fact is that CA is (or was) the definition of liberal politics in modern/western society. As I stated in my post, I'm ashamed to associate myself with a state where the majority makes political decisions with such a narrow mindedness.
It is good to see more people talking about this, as this issue needs to be discussed until the results are changed. That said, if I have any faith left in the voters of California it is that they will not let this die. I guarantee we will see this on the ballot again soon.
From a few reports that I read, I've come to the conclusion of what help 8 to pass. Southern California, and black voters. According to the reports, the Bay Area had the highest amount of NO's (shocking, i know). And that a large majority of black voters that were polled, said they were for 8. I know polls are not barely worth the paper theyre printed on, but its something to consider
a lot of northern CA voted to pass it too. as for blanketing black voters as to who is responsible, that is not entirely correct. Yes a significant part of african american voters voted to pass it, but so did a lot of hispanic voters. You know why? Religious reasons. The religious right, the main/only real supporter of this POS bill swayed the religious minorities to vote yes. It only seems like minorities voted to pass it moreso than white people because there are a larger amount of religious minorities than there are religious whites. so plz plz plz dont be going and saying black people and mexicans passes this, that is just going to stir up a whole other issue that is pointless. Man, fuck the media.
Xtian- I heard that as well actually. Black women voters in california were polled to have voted like 70% in favor of 8. Something about that just seems wrong. How can a minority community who fought so hard for equality turn around and vote against another?
And james, Yes I admit I read your post before writing mine but we really agree on everything. I felt a need to also write about it in order to help spread the word that something here is wrong. (which i know you recognize) I'm sure this will be back on the ballot if not appealed asap.
Just to clarify- I'm definitly not saying minority voters are to blame. However, even on the individual level, somethig about having that background and voting no seems wrong. But- I totally get waht you're saying James and agree that is a direction this conversation doesnt need to go.
BUT- do check out this ridiculous article I found. http://www.mormonsstoleourrights.com/
I need someone to blame dammit. If not the minorities then who?! Isn't that what they're there for? Scapegoats?
the only reason to vote no on this is really religion. that's what pisses me off the most. there is not practical reason to forbid gay marriage.
minorities look like they are to blame if we are going to play the blame game, but that is only because so many of them are religious. a shit ton of religious whites voted for this too.
Religion is to blame eh? Is that a subtle hint that Jimmy may some day join the legion of godless heretics too?
no, while I am a man of science (evolution, big bang etc...), i do believe in God. i also believe in the right to choice and the ability to have our own opinions. just cause i disagree with the church in some areas doesnt mean i'm not religious.
my philosophy is that if I am not hurting anyone else, I am probably not wrong in doing what I am doing (with a few exceptions). but i am not going to get into this.
i blame relgion, or more specifically how idiots treat religion, on a lot of modern day problems in the world btw
agreed.
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