image courtesy of Patrick Moberg

In the wake of all the countless hours of election coverage, from amongst the seemingly endless stream of interviews being thrown at us from every local news channel, one little five-second snippet caught my ear more than anything I’d heard in the past week about this historic election: an elderly Black woman, decked out in Obama gear and holding an American flag, said enthusiastically into the microphone, “It’s not just a Black thing, it’s an Every thing.” After she said it, I stopped to think about it, and I realized how true that was – how much this election signifies, not just for the minority populations, but for all of us as Americans, and what it means for the rest of the world.

For us, it’s a monumental achievement for, but unfortunately probably not the conclusion of, the Civil Rights movement, proving Dr. King right and millions of doubtful voters wrong with the election of an African-American president (who is, quite literally, African-American). Nothing I write here could possibly express anything that hasn’t already been said or felt, and I realize that while Tuesday meant a whole lot to me as an American, it meant even more for most of SASSY’s readers, and I’d rather not trivialize that by going on and on about that particular aspect of the election.

So why did I just bid a paycheck I don’t have (Thanks economy!) on a limited edition Shepard Fairey Obama campaign poster on eBay? Because on November 4, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender, we banded together as a nation and stood up for what we believe in, for the hope and change Barack Obama represents, for a break from eight years of failed policies, misinformation, and ruined reputations in the eyes of our global neighbors. This man crossed lines, brought people together, mobilized an entire generation. He even redrew the political map! States that haven’t voted Democrat in nearly half a century went blue on Tuesday. And what did that prove? That we, as a nation, as a generation, are not as apathetic and lazy as everyone would like to believe we are; that we are a force to be reckoned with and that we will not take “no you can’t” as an answer; that when we really care, all things are possible.

That the election of Barack Obama incited celebrations of millions around the world is only testament to the impressiveness of our decision. Just when everyone else had given up hope that we’d ever elect someone different, someone who can possibly restore this country’s wealth and reputation (which, admittedly, is yet to be seen), we go and elect a guy that isn’t old and grey and White. For once, we took into account how our next president might influence the rest of the world, and how the result of that influence will ultimately come back to us. More importantly, the victory of this election isn’t just for America, it’s an example for the rest of the world, a challenge issued from the people of this country to every other electorate on the planet: yes we did, and so can you.

But now the question is: will people listen? Will other countries follow in our footsteps and stand up for what they think is right? I think it’s safe to say that this isn’t the nail in the coffin of racism or of oppression in general, but it’s at least a huge blow. Now it’s up to everyone else to contribute to the fight. You think they will?

-Allison

I still can’t believe.  We did it.

He gives us what we need so badly right now: hope.

*exhales* President Barack Obama, God bless you.

How are you celebrating?

e.

Please go out and vote.

Diddy has a message for you

Don’t know if you can vote early?  Check here.

I mean, I’m understand both sides of the issue.  Yes, we don’t scrutinize the labels and designers the men in the election are wearing, but $150,000 on clothing and makeup (and an LV bag for a 7 year old) in two months is out of control.

Where do you stand ladies?

peace,
e.

Oh I am so glad McCain came to his senses and debated with Barack last night.  I think we can all agree the best phrase of the night was “an orgy of spending.”

I think Obama won, Obama thinks he won, and McCain and his people think McCain won.  So what about you?  How was it and who do you think won?

peace,
e.

From the same man who told those Hillary supporters that their Whiteness was showing, Mr. Tim Wise is back at it again.  This time he’s is calling out the racist double standards (I could really do two other posts on the ageism and sexism) of the election.  Full text is here.  Snippets below:

For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.

White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.

White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fuckin’ redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you’ll “kick their fuckin’ ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.

…

And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren’t sure about that whole “change” thing. Ya know, it’s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.

White privilege is, in short, the problem.

White privilege is the problem. Boy I’m glad the white guy said it first.

peace,
e.

Two weeks ago, I was convinced that Texas would ‘Barack the Vote’. I was in the Toyota Center in Houston, TX at the ‘Stand for Change’ rally for Senator Barack Obama and I definitely felt like I had received the Obama holy ghost (hands were raised, chants of ‘Yes We Can’ rang out in unison all around me, my body was rocking back and forth). And it was not just me—the huge arena was packed with people doing the same thing: hoping and believing in the amount of change Obama was talking about.

I still remained confident that Obama would win Texas until the wee hours of this morning. However, when I awoke from which I admit was a difficult slumber—I was slammed with the reality that Clinton had won Texas in a closely contested race.

My initial reaction was to scream and roll back into bed.

And I did…loudly while pulling the covers over my eyes as if this was all a bad dream.

But as I thought about it more, I had to smile: This is really good politics!

Two dynamic candidates both passionate about their jobs and in their desire to bring change in American society are courageously dueling it out in front of our eyes for the Democratic presidential nominee. What more could a nerdy political scientist like myself ask for?

To be clear, I am an Obama supporter…unabashedly… no shame… no apologies; however, I am not blinded into believing that someone like Obama can save America. Obama is only one man with an elegant speaking style, quality experience, and a God-given ability to inspire ordinary Americans. No one can argue with this. But his mysticism has reached almost super-hero status and unfortunately Obama cannot be the Superman we need to swoop down and save America from the havoc of the past. I write this to make the point that I think it is dangerous to put so much responsibility and belief into someone that is human.

Which is why I value Senator Hillary Clinton—as much as I hate to admit it—the woman is fighting back and questioning him on every front. Sometimes it’s nasty campaign ads and other times it is educated back-and-forth debating. This is valuable not only because her presence represents the views of a significant number of Americans but also because Obama’s positions and policy agenda is being challenged.

I have a problem when political leaders get too comfortable. Often, when individuals are not constantly challenged, a numbing sense of relief sets in. This, I feel, is dangerous and has led to the demise of many great world leaders. I wholeheartedly believe individuals become stronger in their actions, initiatives, and goals when they are constantly challenged and forced to stand and lead in times of discomfort and controversy.

Consequently, I think this fight to be the Democratic presidential nominee is good for democratic politics as a whole: there should be no heir to the throne that we call the American presidency, it should be contested and the people on the ground should be the most important variable in this process. The equation to the nomination is simple: Obama and Clinton must connect with voters. Power lies in the people and the more Clinton and Obama reach out—the more votes they earn. It’s some crazy form of populist politics in the 21st century that is quite refreshing.

For this reason, I enjoy watching Clinton and Obama dueling it out. I am not mad at Clinton’s steelo (now given…I would be upset if she won the Democrat nominee) but I think she serves a very important purpose. I came to understand this as I watched the debates in Texas and Ohio. I saw Obama being unsettled and I saw Clinton trying to connect with voters in a way that she has not in the past.

In a weird but very real way: I think they both make each other better. Obama needs Clinton’s roughness and policy prowess to keep him on his toes and Clinton needs Obama’s knack at connecting with voters to push her to be more personable and honest about her policy positions. To put it quite simply: they hold each other accountable.

It’s a weird kind of marriage that will not last forever. However, for the time being, I am happy to see Clinton stay in the race. If that meant her winning Ohio and Texas on March 4, 2008—then so be it. We have a nation that has not been this connected and excited about the national political arena in a very very long time—and I do not want to see it end anytime soon.

Pennsylvania here we come!