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Our Oval Office

I always felt American.  I’m the descendent of Pilgrims and slaves.  I know the White House was always supposed to be the People’s House.  Now I really feel it.  Everything is possible.

On Saturday I participated in the nationwide protest against the passing of Proposition 8.  I’m not a fan of the initiative process.  I think it leads to the tyranny of the majority that our Republic was designed to avoid.  And we could argue all day about that, but most of the Civil Rights that were secured in the 20th Century were not by popular vote, but by court cases and legislation that was designed to protect minority rights.

So I’m bringing it back to the outlaw lovers that were my parents and Barack Obama’s parents, and anyone of “mixed race” whose parents were together before 1967.  Procreation is not the primary function of love, nor marriage.  But marriage is certainly a nice symbol and structure to nourish love and a family.

The “mulatto moment” for me Saturday was the echo in the story of a woman, born of a lesbian mother, but raised by two fathers, committed for over 35 years, yet just married this September.  She spoke of the normalcy and security of her family, yet also of the existential invisibility.  It reminded me of the days when I was expected to pick one, when asked for race or ethnicity.  And her ability to share her experience resonated with the gift I feel I’ve been able to use by moving in a black world or white world with an implicit acceptance.  The idea of that “gift” got me excited about Barack Obama initially. I decided I needed to vote for him when I saw this so fully articulated in his speech on race.

The gift of empathy or the ability to listen and communicate with inclusive respect aren’t the sole purview of hyphenates, but we do have to start practicing these things maybe a little earlier than people in a homogeneous home.

Oh, and now I want to start writing about the “mutts like me” joke Obama made in his first press conference.  I loved it!  But, I think I’ll have to leave that for later.

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P.S.  I added some photos and captions to my election night entry.  I hope I’ll write more on that sometime soon.

Had an urge to listen to “Curtis Live” this morning.  This song was originally done by the Impressions in ’67.  I love the live version from 1971.  Seek it out.

We’re A Winner – Curtis Mayfield

We’re a winner and never let anybody say
Boy, you can’t make it ’cause a feeble mind is in your way
No more tears do we cry
And we have finally dried our eyes

And we’re movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)
Lord have mercy
We’re movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)

We’re living proof in all’s alert
That we’re two from the good black earth
And we’re a winner
And everybody knows it too

We’ll just keep on pushin’
Like your leaders tell you to
At last that blessed day has come
And I don’t care where you come from

We’re all movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)
Lord have mercy
We’re movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)

Hey, hey
We’re movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)
Lord have mercy
We’re movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)

I don’t mind leavin’ here
To show the world we have no fear
‘Cause we’re a winner
And everybody knows it too

We’ll just keep on pushin’
Like your leaders tell you to
At last that blessed day has come
And I don’t care where you come from

We’re just go move on up
(Movin’ on up)
Lord have mercy
We’re movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)

We’ll just keep on pushin’
We’re a winner
Lord, baby
Everybody, hey, you know we’re movin’ on up

I just got in from the celebrations here in Nevada.  Wow.  I’m just completely blown away.  My first calls after my mother and sister were to my elders.  Septuagenarians, Octogenarians, who never thought they would see this day.  I spent the day poll watching at a Baptist Church in the ‘burbs of Las Vegas, watching children come along with their parents who were casting votes for history.  No major shenanigans ensued.  I was there to check out who actually voted.  Then we went out to ask those who hadn’t shown up to come to the polls.  More with photos tomorrow or Thursday.  Now it’s time for sleep and to pick up that paper in the morning, of which I’d dreamt vividly just a month ago.  I almost relaxed, but I’m glad I came out here to put in the work!

Yes we did.

Here are a few more election photos:

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