tonight
Obama was not my original choice. We disagree in so many ways. But I saw something tonight I really haven’t seen in awhile.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
( only part; read more here)
and then there was a drum circle and singing at the flag pole. I don’t remember the last time patriotic songs made me cry
I ‘m not sure where I will be tomorrow — but tonight I feel hopeful and it was amazing to feel surrounded by hope.
There are many places I disagree with Obama–but I will not argue with hope
DM said,
November 6, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I ‘m not sure I ever told you about living in the South durning segregation. This is what I remember. Two sets of water fountains one marked ” White’s Only” and the other “Colored Only” . The restroom marked for White’s only. I think they had to go around the back of the building. The movie houses had a seperate entrance and they had to sit in the balancy. In third grade I went to a brand new school build across the road from a very large “colored” community that they could not attend. The only “Colored” person I meet was the women that did ironing for us in our home until I worked at the stand up counter in a dime store. They were not allowed to sit at the counter and have breakfast, lunch or even a coke.
Yesterday was an emotional day for me also. I am hopeful.
egb63 said,
November 6, 2008 at 9:30 pm
actually, you did. For some reason the water fountains made a big impression on me.
One of the more interesting things I keep realizing — I keep for getting that Obama is half black . I see his skin color, but I think of him as an intelligent , thoughtful, articulate man. I sorta forget that electing him is important in an historical sense.