Wednesday, November 05, 2008

History

"Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights hero, said he was hardly able to believe that 40 years after he was left beaten and bloody on an Alabama bridge as he marched for the right for blacks to vote, he had cast a ballot for Obama."

I do not think my children comprehend fully why yesterday was so important. I tried to explain it to them, but it didn't quite sink in. Maybe when they're older, and are more well-versed in our country's history, the significance of yesterday will make sense to them.

8 comments:

Joe said...

Then again, the fact that the concept is so foreign to then speaks volumes about how far we've come.

Then again, there's still quite a ways to go.

Grant said...

I'm just glad we have a good candidate for president. I've never had a problem with race, it just needed to be the right guy. I never cared for Jesse Jackson, but I would have voted for Colin Powell if he had run.

Still, it is amazing how far things have come. I'm getting to the age where 40 years doesn't seem like that much.

GreenJello said...

I thought along those same lines, Joe. If the kids have a hard time really seeing the significance of this election, it must mean that they just don't see anything particularly unusual about it. That's a good thing!

Maybe by the time they're adults, and raise their kids in an environment where racial lines haven't been drawn...

GreenJello said...

I would have voted for Colin Powell, too, Grant. He's got a good head on his shoulders.

40 years doesn't seem like that long now, does it? Weird, that... And yet to someone who has seen so much change over that period of time, well, that has to be a shocker. A happy shocker, but still would rattle you to the core nevertheless.

Unknown said...

In my multi-cultural and ethnic home, our 16 year old son truly got the importance of yesterday's events.
I hope he never has to hear the words "No you can't." like I did.

Anonymous said...

I am just so grateful to the people of America who had the courage to do what had seemed the unthinkable not so very long ago.

Now I hope that they will be patient, don't expect miracles, the Aegean Stables had Hercules and the gods.

GreenJello said...

Rona, I, too, hope that your son never hears those words. Nobody should!

You are so right, Moannie! The pyramids weren't built in a day.

steenky bee said...

When I tucked each of mine in bed I whispered to each of them that when they woke up, tomorrow would be very, very different. I just cried all day today. (Happy tears)