“Don’t give up just because things are hard.
Give up if you feel in your gut that moving on is the right choice for you.”
~ Lori Deschene
Today marks another historic election day. Eight years ago it was an African-American man. Today, it’s a woman. This election season has been contentious. It’s been ugly. It’s been scary at times. Just when you thought we couldn’t be more polarized: surprise! We could. Ever since the Bush/Gore debacle, the division in this country has been palpable and growing. I was with dad yesterday, and for the first time in my life, he was really quite vocal about politics. Traditionally, ours was not a household that talked religion or politics (in fact it was avoided), so this sudden expression of political thought was pretty new. Amongst his rantings was hidden this kernel of wisdom: “We need somebody that’s half Abraham Lincoln, and half Martin Luther King.” I can’t argue with that. Both were articulate and calm. They knew how to appeal to people’s strengths rather than play on their greatest fears (that and money will get you elected these days). I hope in my lifetime such a person exists, and that they will survive the American media sound-bytes and anti-intellectual fervor, get elected, and truly make a difference. Until then, all I can do is honor the sacrifice so many men and women have made to earn me the right to vote by casting it at every opportunity.
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