Dawn of a new Day

What a difference a day makes. The butterflies in my stomach have been replaced with excitement and hope for the future. Yesterday, we elected Barack Obama the first African American president of these great United States of America. I watched the celebrations in Chicago and across the world with tear-filled eyes. What a proud American I am today.

Living in the reddest of states, it often seems that I am floating on my little liberal island surrounded by a sea of conservatives. It is hard being a white liberal Democrat in the south. In this area, if you are white, it is assumed you are Republican - no questions asked. Case in point - when I voted in the primary in the spring, I was automatically motioned by the poll worker to the Republican table upon walking in the door. Much to their surprise, I said proudly, "Oh, no, I'm a Democrat". I have to admit, there are occasions, all too often, where I choose to just sit quietly and smile rather than admit my political differences in a room full of southern conservatives. Often times it's just not worth the effort. On the flip side, I know there are occasions where others feel uncomfortable around me and keep their mouths closed and don't broach certain subjects in front of me. For that, part of me is thankful to avoid the potential confrontation and part of me is hurt that we can't have open and honest conversations.

But, I have learned that if you have the right occasion to calmly and rationally discuss the issues, reasonable minds can at least agree to differ. Such was the experience this summer when we did a series, "Confronting the Controversies" in our Sunday School class. I found that if you take away the labels - liberal and conservative, Republican and Democrat, fascist and pinko commie (you get the point)- many of us agree where we never thought we would or could. Or, even where we can't agree, we can listen and respect each others' positions. On both sides, we get so wrapped up in the soundbites and talkings points that we fail to digest the real issues with our hearts and minds. When we honestly listen to one another in heartful discussion, we find that most things are not cut and dry or black and white but are actually varying shades of gray. Of course, that's the case with most anything, not just politics, if we just listen.

What is of greatest concern to me is all the venom being spewed. Fine with me if you don't like Obama. I don't like McCain. Fair enough. But all this rightwing b.s. about Obama being a socialist, Muslim, the anti-Christ, etc. is just that - b.s. You may differ with his approach, but that does not make him a bad man.

What Barack Obama represents to me is hope. Hope in a brighter tomorrow, a past of hate and fearmongering left behind. And I'm not just talking about race. The past eight years under the rule of King George have been grueling and divisive to say the least. I'm ready to move on. This country is ready to move on. The world is ready to move on. Don't let the politics of hate, fear, soundbites and labels take over. Listen to each other. Work together. Be a part of the solution and not the problem. Sorry to be so cliche', but together, YES WE CAN!