The Times They Are A-Changin' (And Not)

The cover of my old "hometown" paper (even though I am from NJ, I grew up with the NY Daily News as our daily newspaper):

While I was pretty optimistic about the outcome of the election, it was still very surprising and moving when the moment happened.  Truthfully, I never thought something like this would happen in my lifetime... first, voting for a viable woman candidate for the Presidency in the primaries, then voting for the bi-racial/African American man that will become the 44th President of the United States.

I just hope that we are truly headed down the path of a government who gets things done responsibly and with less divisiveness...though I am not holding my breath... and I already sense the world's view of our country has changed overnight (my little personal window of foreign reaction saw folks really pulling/hoping for Obama - and I couldn't imagine the reverse, with Americans being that invested in a foreign election).

But, as expected, the night and this morning definitely ha been bittersweet... with all 4 anti-gay (or pro-"family") propositions passing... marriage amendments here is AZ, in FL (where the prop needed, and received, over 60% of the vote), and while it hasn't been officially called, it looks like it will be very tough haul for CA's Prop 8 to be defeated... and I have to admit, that I was aware of Arkansas now voter-approved ban on "unmarried sexual partners" from adopting children or serving as foster parents.

So on a night where we witnessed just how far our country has come, it was personally very discouraging to feel one's own civil rights being pushed back taken several painful steps.  I remember a couple of years back when AZ defeated the first stab at this "sanctity of marriage" crap or when states started making strides towards marriage equality, that just maybe this would be something that would be realized in my lifetime. 

Now I am not so sure...

So if two perfect strangers (as long as they are a man and woman), decide they want to get married they can with nary a question (and certainly not a public vote)... and this couple could have more legal rights re: other than I have in my 14+ year relationship... or other folks can get married over and over again (and we all know some), hoping the current one is the last one.  But as long as folks seemingly can't discern the difference between the legal "piece of paper" aspect and a religious ceremony... with the latter meaning nothing without the former... it's going to be a struggle for our cause.

I think it will happen... someday.  But I am not so sure I will be blessed (or cursed?!) with the lifespan of Ann Nixon Cooper, the 106 year old that Obama so effectively highlighted in last nights victory speech, someone who has seen and experienced so many unimaginable events and changes in our country.  And again, even in such a moment of discouragement, I was inspired by Obama's words:

"That while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can"

Comments

[Gail]

First of all, congratulations on this historic moment. Many Canadians are Obama fans and we did watch your election with more than the usual interest. Secondly, I am flabbergasted at the passing of all the anti-gay legislation. I hope you do see change in your lifetime without having to live to 106!