The other day I had a few hours to kill between dropping off my in laws at the airport and arriving at the theatre for opening night. I decided to pop into the movie theatre for a matinee.
The Secret Lives of Bees takes place during the summer of 1964, and about 10 minutes into the movie a black woman (played by Jennifer Hudson) gets accosted on her way to register to vote.
And there I was, weeping. Because all I could think about was how that was 44 years ago, and now, just this week, our country has elected a black man president. I'm sure the wait has seemed interminably long to many, and Lord knows the road has not been smooth. Nor does this mean the end of racism in our country. But it is a gigantic step, and for some reason it only really hit me after the polls closed. But with every news story I still get teary eyed.
I know that many people who proudly and bravely voted that year voted again this year. People who were once afraid to go to the polls for fear of their lives were able to vote for a man who looked like them.
And now I'm crying again.
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MQ had a mock election at her school last week, so I told to vote for Obama in an attmept to brainwash her and subject her to lots of ridicule at her heavily Republican school. Kidding. I actually asked her if she knew who we were voting for and she said no. Seeing as how we talked about it all the time and I have a bumper sticker on my car I found this vaguely disturbing. Anyhow... I talked with her about how we were voting for Obama because we felt he would be the best president, but some people were voting for McCain because they thought he would be the best president, and isn't it great that in America everyone gets to vote for who they think will be best (wasn't that diplomatic of me?). After she voted at school on Monday she hopped in the car and announced proudly "I voted for the right guy!" "Who was that?" I asked. "Orack Obama!" she said. Orack. he he
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and... Congratulations! You've just won a free idea for your post on Monday! Participate in Monday's Mission and write a post in the style of a "congratulations you've just won" letter or e-mail.
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p.s. - the show went well tonight, our audience seemed to really enjoy it, and we're having a bit more fun with it. Yippee!
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12 comments:
I can't stop crying, either. I just can't. It's so incredible!
I am so excited to have been a part of it all... and to have witnessed it in my lifetime!
As you probably saw on the coverage, there was a similar reaction everywhere. :) It's definitely a step in the right direction.
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It really is so amazing. I'm pretty young, so I haven't personally experienced any other positive, historic moments in my life, but this one...I could feel the history books being written all around me that night, standing in K's hospital room. It was something.
I'm so glad the show is going well. And, yes, it's a great day.
Congrats on your show!!
I'm looking forward to the day when it's no longer historic to be a president because of colour of skin or gender. I don't think we're that far off. (was that a glass half full comment from me?)
It's just amazing isn't it?
Even north of the border I'm beaming. Hoping for a redemption not just of the US but of our North American attitudes. Excite me O'rack!
I've been so emotional over this historical win!
Congrats on the show!
Orack--too funny. T. calls him Barack Bobama.
I know. It is so cute to hear the little ones say the name Obama.
I am so ready for the changes...it is amazing to think of our country just four decades ago.
I love the way you talked to your daughter about it. It really bothers me when parents want their children to think exactly the same way they do "just because." Teach them to think; don't teach them WHAT to think. Bravo.
I wish I had been more on the ball for the Monday Mission. Congratulations, we have been awarded Virus X that has manifested its ugly self four different ways in four different people in the house. That would have been fun!
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