I have to speak out about this. It sickened me to get an email today from one of my husband's family members that compared Michelle Obama with a black widow spider. I replied immediately and told the person that I didn't think it was funny. In fact, I am appalled. Not surprised, just appalled. No, more than that. I am Mad.
Whether I voted for Barack Obama or not (I did), he is now my president and his wife is the first lady. I have always believed we should respect the office of President, even if we don't like the man (and someday, God willing, woman) or disagree with his politics. Respect is a very uncommon commodity in our country these days. How many times a day are you disrespected? At least once? Why do we put up with it? And, if you are being disrespectful, what gives you that right?
My feeling is that when the election was over and Obama was elected, our country took another step closer to coming of age. In 200+ years we took baby steps through indentured servants and slavery, wars and riots, depression and oppression, but in 2008 we took a giant stride forward and chose a man for his ability and not one of the 'good ol' boys'.
That a man of mixed heritage would have the courage to take on a job of President of the United States says more than that he wanted to lead our country. In my opinion he truly does want to make our country better. When our country succeeds, the whole world can succeed, because like it or not, we are all in this together and the United States can lead the way.
You know, when I think of myself as a citizen of the United States of America I don't see myself as better than people in all other countries. It is like my own close personal relationships in that I see we all have strengths and weaknesses. If we weren't so focused on greed and hateful behavior, we could really make our life on this lovely blue marble something better than what it is right now.
Do you remember the song in South Pacific about racial hatred? "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught" Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed November 19, 2008). With every breath I take, I will endeavor to not be a racist. I want to be able to hold my head up and look you straight in the eye and tell you that I will never tolerate you being one either.
