I watched Obama make his speech last night with tears in my eyes. What was so amazing though was not just his eloquence and grace - it was the faces in the crowd. Everyone was thrilled but what moved me the most was seeing the tears streaming down the faces of many of the African Americans who perhaps in their heart feared that they would never live to see this day.
And the fact is that perhaps their parents, their grandparents and their great grandparents are no longer alive to see this day - a day they dreamed about and many of them worked for. It took a long time, generations, to change minds and hearts and social structure enough for this to happen.
In the midst of my joy, I am sad about Proposition 8 passing. But I was also prepared. Yesterday morning before voting I had a bad feeling about it and was feeling even a bit depressed. But then I read a diary here on KOS that shifted something for me. It was the recommended diary from a woman who had lost her daughter to suicide. It was a deeply powerful personal diary and it was courageous of her to write it. But it shifted my attitude in an interesting way. I stopped feeling sorry for myself about the fact that yes, people want to take away my civil rights and woe is me..and made me realize for heaven's sake. This isn't just about me. Its about young gay men and women..its about the next generation of gay people and helping them to feel that all life options are before them. I thought of this young woman who lost her heart to continue because she felt different when I cast my "No" vote on 8 yesterday.
That post made me remember what political change is all about. There are women who starved themselves and marched for the vote who didn't live long enough to cast that first vote. The civil rights struggle for African Americans has been fought since the time of Fredrick Douglas. Sometimes it takes time. Sometimes a damn long time. But we owe it not just to ourselves but to those who come next to never ever ever give up and to do our work so that they will have a better life.
I saw an interview on the Yes on 8 camp. This guy was saying that he hoped that the No on 8 camp will realize that the people have spoken and will accept that. My answer is HELL no! You never give up fighting for social justice even when everyone on the planet says no. And as an older woman I may not be here when California has gay marriage again. But I will be working just as hard until I leave the planet to make sure that the next young boy or young woman can marry the person of their choice and share equally in the rights and privileges of marriage.
It is a great great day and a sad day, but the fight will always continue