Yes Kyle, this is a moment in history equivalent to George Washington being our first President and John F. Kennedy being our first Catholic President.
Oh.
I asked Rachel:
Do you know anything about the election for President?
No.
Do you know who Barack Obama is?
I know he is running for President.
Do you think he would make a good President?
I think he would.
Why?
I don’t know.
Do you know that he is the first Black man to run for President?
Yes.
Does that matter to you?
No it doesn’t matter; I think he might do good things for the world.
So how proud do you think I am right about now? But at the same time I reflect on the fact that women are still being excluded from all-men golf clubs and that talented women are routinely overlooked when they attempt to break into the sports broadcast booth. I also acknowledge that the “glass ceiling” is still very sturdy and resistant to change. Just think about how Hilary was chided by men during her campaign. So although we still have far to travel, we are at least beginning the journey.
I’m not in the mood to whine today, to shake my fist at the injustice of it all.
It’s the Fourth of July 2008, a day to celebrate all that’s good and right about America.
My whining and righteous indignation simply will not prompt historical change.
I see hope in the future of this nation. Perhaps because I am a glass half-full person. In the face of global warming, religious wars and intolerance, racial genocide, corporate greed, lack of health coverage, and our educational system’s decay, I see the same spirit and optimism our forefathers had when they created this great nation of ours.
I see it in the glow of my grandchildren’s eyes.
By Ivette Ricco
Photo courtesy of FemmeFan
