I've read so many diaries recently that have wielded a very broad brush against other Democrats I'm not sure what to say. So I guess I'll make a list of the "broad brush" stuff that has me pondering things tonight.
Before the flame throwing starts:
I will vote for the Democratic nominee.
I will not vote for McCain or anyone else without a D next to their name.
I have not donated to anyone except Edwards and Dodd.
I am 50ish white woman.
- If I don't actively support Clinton so I'm sexist.
- As a middle aged woman I'm racist if I don't support Obama.
- As a white person, I'm racist if I don't jump on the bandwagon to smear Clinton as racist.
- If I have fiscally responsible values, I must be GOP and an idiot.
- If I try to be conscientious and work with GOP acquaintances and friends then I'm a fool and should ignore them.
I'm just a middle aged woman that grew up in the Western U.S. We were taught to accept other people by their actions, not by their looks. My experience with others was limited to mostly Native American kids in Utah and Colorado when I was growing up. I was in high school before I consciously was aware of African American kids. We had two in my high school of about 1200 students in a suburb of Salt Lake City. They were cool and I didn't know any different.
But...
I knew what it was like to be treated like a nobody. I grew up a trailer park kid. White trash. Wrong side of town.
I grew up in the '60s and early '70s. In Utah. Where women are treated like second class citizens and baby making machines. In high school I had a few great teachers that taught independent thinking and open progressive values. I was one of 3 girls in that high school of 1200 students that actively marched for the Equal Rights Amendment.
I joined the Army. Military Police. There were 10 women and 100+ guys in my MP class back in 1974. And the guys thought we were clueless and helpless. Too bad the women took top honors in marksmanship...and a few other areas. So much for helpless. Permanent Duty Station...Oakland...and the end of the Vietnam War. Not a popular place to wear a uniform. Even less popular place for a white woman to hang out with her Army buddies...that were multiple races. Oh yeah for the military types in the crowd: it took me 18 months to go from Private to PFC...cause I kept filing EEO complaints about duty assignments. But when I left women could work any area and responsibility as the guys. It was worth every day as lowly peon.
I worked my ass off in college and through the ranks of corporate America. Time after time I've watched some 'guy' get the promotion because women weren't managers. In the past 25 years, I've busted my butt and made it in some tough companies in the SF and Silicon Valley area. Oh yeah, as a manager, I hire the most qualified person. I don't care what your gender, or age, or race, or sexual preference is when I hire. I don't judge you by anything except your actions.
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I have lots of stories...as do others here of fighting to make this country better for all of us. It is my goal to see that my grandchildren don't have to re-fight the battles of sexism and racism and bigotry that I did.
When I came to DailyKos in the spring / summer of 2004 it was heaven. I had found a place with like minded progressives on issues. Presidential candidates we fought about...and in those days I was too terrified to comment for a long time. Now I comment and write occasionally...but the reality is...those candidate diaries are now divisive. They are tearing apart the party, the ideals, and the dreams of the what we stand for as progressives. By progressive, I use a pretty wide umbrella. Until the 1990's I was a moderate. The nation, and the Democratic Party, have moved so far to the right that I'm now a flaming liberal. But I proudly embrace that title...and still believe in moderation.
Put down the broad brush. We are in this to take back the country. If you have a vicious comment about someone...take it to another diary. Try to keep the ideals and dreams of the Democratic Party in your line of sight.