Today, I'll be meeting with several members of our local minority communities, everyone from the Pacific Islander to the African American groups (yes, there's enough folks to make up a community, even in Utah :-)). We'll be there to discuss projects that have been long under way and various minority issues, as we have each month for several years now.But today, I'm sure, will be special.
I'm sitting here in anticipation of the vicarious happiness I'll get to take back to work with me, to add to that which I'm feeling directly. I'm happy for my friends who never thought a person from their community could break that barrier, and I'm happy for all those other groups, including mine, to which that barrier now looms not quite as large. Who knows? It sounds impossible to me now, but my kids may see a gay president (aside from Andrew Jackson. I mean, just look at him.).
Say what you will about the political left or right, today means something to all minority communities. It means something good about and to the modern majority too. It shows that our imagination of an impossible to break barrier a generation ago only revealed our ignorance of barriers, of human potential.
Simply, such a step in the decline of racism helps me believe human ethics will continue to evolve towards true morality and the artifacts of our animal past, such as bigotry tribalism and superstition, won't ultimately stand a chance.
Now, let's just hope for a great, fruitful presidency, in practical terms too, symbolism aside. Someone around here (was it Ben?) said a while ago that hope is the agnostic's form of prayer. I'm praying hard.
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4 comments:
As a Political Scientist (though i have some disclamer in regards to the Science part of the title), this day continues to be among my favorite Rites created by the United States.
I started to watched the inagural address with my typical political aloufness(sic) but was quickly drawn in to President Obama's address. It was and will certainly be one of the addresses I will remember for the rest of my life.
It was an address of a Leader. It was an address reminding the People that the American government isnt about the persons in High Office, but about the People who consent to governed by their voice.
It was remarkable. It was outstanding! and as I texted to a friend... America is Back! Leadership, real leadership, and a people ready to follow... not since September 11 have I seen both the People and the Government to take their equeal Responsibilities.
Sean (aka: Loyalist)
This is good...
Obama is doing so much for gays...
http://www.towleroad.com/2009/01/white-house-sit.html#comments
I've not commented for a while but I've lurked and I understand you are so angry with what happened in Cali...
This is really, really good...
Oh, happy day, for which we have waited far too long! Hope is my prayer, too...
"Sean (aka: Loyalist)"
Of course I remember you, my Political Scientist friend. You were my campaign manager, but I'd not put that on your resume ;-). This guy is much better than I would've been.
Rowan: "This is really, really good..."
I sure do hope. I just wish I didn't keep thinking back to the hope I felt for Clinton.
Guy, I wish we were in your city on the inauguration. I somehow think it was more celebrated than here in Utah :-).
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