I live in North Carolina. Today, we are preparing for Hurricane Hanna. While standing in line at a store whose name I shall not mention, I happened to overhear the conversation of two (white) women who were discussing politics. Now I don't normally eavesdrop (or at least that's what I tell my husband!), but these ladies were speaking kind of loud and I wanted them to know that they were being heard. So I turned around, looked at them, and casually asked, "So you're for McCain?" Well, the look I got was kind of like "Who the hell does she think she's talking too?" So I plowed on and asked the same question again, ignoring their looks of incredulity. The older one (sorry, girlfriend, but you did LOOK older!) said to me, "And I guess you're voting for Obama?" I said, "What would make you think that?"
Join me in line for her response......
She sputtered, "well, you are....you seem....I thought...." and finally she came out with it...."Well, he is cute and kinda smart, I mean he did go to Harvard and all. And you do have to be smart to get in there, don't you?...." and then she smiled a crooked toothed smile at me and continued, "he does cut a mean swarth across all divides, don't you think?" I continued to stare and let her finish whatever thought she thought she was having. I'm sure it floated around in there by itself for a while, but I was trying not to make judgements.
Well, her friend (who was wearing way too much lipstick, unless she was celebrating the arrival of Hanna!) said to me, "What she means is, he's Black and so are you, so you must be voting for him." I said, Oh, that's what you meant! Girlfriend, you should have said that....then I could have corrected you right away." I continued, "While I know that's what people will think, it happens not to be true. Or maybe not ALL true! I am voting for him because he has answered several of my questions about what he plans to do to help us come out of this tailspin we appear to be in. He has answers to how to help the least of us. He has answers to how to provide insurance for all of us. He even has an answer for putting this country back to work. Now, if that doesn't make him worthy, then if we get McSame, we will deserve what happens to us." And with that, I turned around, and everyone in line was watching me. I swallowed hard, and said, "I'm sorry, I should not have butted into your conversation. I apologize."
Then Miss Too Much Lipstick says, "Hell, I don't have insurance. If someone is going to make sure I get it, I'm voting for them. That's almost too easy. Remember, I have asthma." Her friend, the Older One, said, "I don't have insurance either, and I'm a smoker, but I don't have a job either. Remember, my job moved to India. Now if he can get me a job back, he's got my vote. I can have insurance and a job." They both gave me their phone numbers because they said I sounded like I was working for Obama and knew what I was talking about. I laughed then and said, "Well, I am, but we don't twist arms or break legs. We give you facts and you can do what you will, but you'll do it with facts. Not lies!"
Then a guy in the line next to me came up to me as I was headed towards my car. To my surprise, he wasn't making a pass (darn it!). He said, "I heard what you said in there and I'm impressed. I just can't tell my family that I'm gonna vote for a n....uhhhh....Black guy!" I said, "I am not angry. I attribute that kind of language to ignorance. But on the other hand, I am glad that you are making a good choice. Sorry that your family won't understand. But maybe they will if you let me give you some information." He said, "No, you don't understand. That could never happen." So I didn't push, but I got his phone number and will be calling him in the next few days. Miss Too Much Lipstick and the Older One have already called me about some more information about Obama. And don't think I didn't have it ready.
Yes, this was an interesting day, and, while waiting for Hurricane Hanna, I saved Barack Obama some votes and took some from McCain. Like taking candy from a baby....and I loved it!
McSame, you're in trouble now, buddy! I've got my chops and I am dangerous!