I feel blessed that my first impression of Obama was his commitment to listening, thinking and finding common ground. I have viewed him for years through that lens. Of course he's not perfect and I don't agree with everything he says and does. But I think it's tragic that the first impression of Obama many people have had is that he is suspiciously foreign and possibly anti-American. Viewing him through that lens distorts him beyond my recognition.
In the past three days I have had conversations and heard comments that have absolutely dripped with anger and fear and all sorts of misconceptions. "I have a sinking feeling in my stomach that can only compare to 11 September 2001." "My mother says that Obama is the anti-Christ," "If Obama gets elected he's going to start killing all of the two year old children." "I'm going to move to Canada because Obama is a socialist and a Marxist [I had to laugh at the irony of that comment!]" "It's all over now." "I hope some nutcase assassinates him."
It makes my heart hurt.
But it also drives me to open my mouth. I can't sit idly by.
Today I was eating lunch with some of the faculty at Springville High. Like me they've been worried about all of the hateful and fearful remarks. I imagine most if not all of them voted for McCain and are disappointed he lost. But they are working hard to help the students understand the genius behind the way our government is set up--checks and balances, frequent elections, etc. They said they've been telling students that we've survived bad presidents before, that we can endure for four years, that there will be a mid-term election that will give us a chance to shift the balance in Congress.
I finally spoke up and said, "And we can tell them that Obama may just be a good president!"
For the sake of our nation, don't we need to give him that chance?
I call on all of my dear friends and family who supported McCain, who are devastated that he lost and who may actually fear an Obama presidency. If you truly believed in McCain's campaign for presidency, please continue to embrace his campaign mantra "Country First."
You may want Obama to fail mightily, but his failure would be our failure, and in these difficult times we can't afford that.
We can and should work together to make the next four years a success.
Of course we must all be vigilant in fighting for policies and political principles we believe in. Every president should be held accountable and should be watched and pushed to do what we feel is right.
Of course we must all be vigilant in fighting for policies and political principles we believe in. Every president should be held accountable and should be watched and pushed to do what we feel is right.
But when he is sworn in, please honor the presidency and remember that Obama is our democratically elected leader.
I am full of hope. I believe all of us can be. Yes we can.
9 comments:
I have also heard some of the local negative reactions. "Obama is the anti-Christ" was actually one of them. Honestly, I find all of that truly baffling. I will happily stand beside you and celebrate our new president-elect.
For several past presidential elections I have felt like I was forced to go to the voting booth, cross my fingers and check a box for the candidate that would hopefully mess things up the least. I would vote for the least bad of what seemed to be two bad choices. This time was different and it felt good to vote for someone that actually inspires me and makes be believe our country can be a better place under his leadership.
I try very hard not to vote based on emotion. I choose a candidate based on reason. Still, now that my vote is cast and the election is over, I can't help but feel some grateful emotion, and even some relief and pride that Obama will be our new president. I think Tuesday was a good day.
And all of the people that think he was not born in this country. Morons.
Once our democracy has acted and the counting is done, it is time to stop dissing our newly elected leaders and start acting in a democratic way. Support the office, even if we did not vote for the winner.
By the time the election comes down to the wire I believe that the two best men (or women) have floated to the top. I have confidence in our country's filtering process.
I join you in your hopefulness.
Sometimes I want to shake those people who say such things and say: "That way of thinking got us into this mess!!!" I am extremely hopeful, and I really believe he may be one of the best presidents in recent years.
I can hardly imagine what the next few months are going to be like for our next president. They will be fraught with danger and world-changing decisions, and he will need the country to rally behind him, not get tangled in hatred and ignorance.
Why can't people see that?
I also have to say, we live in the reddest of the red states. I heard on NPR that Utah had more pro-Bush votes per capita in the last election than any other state. Yikes. But imagine if everyone like us were living in another state - it would be even worse. Thank goodness we have a voice and can stand up when ridiculous things are being said. It gives us a better chance to articulate what we believe.
I voted for McCain but am not devastated that he lost because I do have faith in our system. I congratulate Obama on his historical election and on January 20th he will become, as John McCain so graciously said; "my president."
I only hope that he doesn't have to endure all the hate and vitriol that President Bush has had to live with from the day of his nomination and throughout his two terms.
Amen! And thank you for being the voice in the small town high school faculty room. I am proud of you and you give me courage to speak up even when I am a minority. Thanks.
Yes - Thank you for your voice of reason and support. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better - emotionally and physically. We gain much from our university students - including colds. Ronda
What a great blog you have here :)
Very elegantly put--I am glad your faculty room has you there.
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