Today, the United States is poised to take a giant leap forward in race relations. For the first time in my life, I may be able to believe that the American Dream really is a possibility for anyone born in America. Some of you younger readers may think I'm exaggerating, but I grew up in a different America and it really wasn't that long ago.I was part of the post-war baby boom, and I grew up in Texas during segregation (and believe me, it was not the "good old days"). I still vividly remember separate drinking fountains labeled "whites" and "coloreds", as well as separate rest rooms and separate schools. I was a senior in high school when schools were desegrated.
I also remember a black gentleman who worked in the barber shop shining shoes. Everyone seemed to like him. They shook his hand when they saw him and talked to him as though he were a friend. But when it was time for lunch, we could go in the front door of the hamburger joint next door while he had to eat in the kitchen.
Even voting rights were unfairly denied, thanks to the poll tax and fradulent eligibility requirements. None of this ever made any sense to me, and to my father's credit, he never tried to convince me that it was right or decent. Thanks to Lyndon Baines Johnson, the laws were changed.
But even after the laws were changed, a lot of racism remained. Affirmitive action helped to even the playing field, and gradually over the last forty years things got a little better. But racism is still strong, and I must admit I never expected to see an African-American elected president in my lifetime.
I find it very exciting that we're now only hours away from choosing a new president, and Barack Obama is leading in the polls. I sincerely hope he is elected by a large margin. I believe he is by far the best candidate. But I also believe his election can help to promote even more racial healing in this country (and that is badly needed).
Forgive this old man for getting a little maudlin, but after growing up with racism and segregation I am awed by the possibility of what might be accomplished today. In just a few hours, we'll find out just how much progress has been made in this country. I just hope it's enough.
When I started voting, right after high school, my grandmother would remind me to take my poll tax with me. She always referred to the voter registration card as the poll tax.
ReplyDeleteI never paid it much attention.
Now I realize that she must've been witness to a lot of significant events.
We never talked about politics or social issues.
Anyway, I hope history is made tonight so I can share something worthwhile with young people when I'm older.
Go Barack!
I am from the South too and let's hope things really do start to change.
ReplyDeleteCorporate greed should be the next icon of the past that dies a swift death.
No more War profiteers!
Money for education and the people.
Good Luck to Progressive candidates throughout the country
Jobsanger, this is an excellent post and thank you for sharing it. I feel we're at a new day, regardless of the outcome of today's election. America has been forced to confront the image in it's own mirror, and to our credit, I think most of us have done that this year. Some folks are still looking backwards, but hopefully their numbers will continue to dwindle and the U.S. will live up to the promise of its founding.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from all of you. I'm eagerly awaiting the returns with my fingers (and toes) crossed.
ReplyDelete