archives

Don't be one of the dumb ones.

Just go VOTE!!

I had an idea in mind to write this poignant essay about today, about how I took a long ride on my motorcycle for several hours after I voted this afternoon, and some of my (assuredly profound) personal insights, thoughts and reflections on this election. Then I came home around 8pm, and started watching the Grant Park celebration (jealous, btw). And in the mass of humanity there, I saw Jessie Jackson, standing in the crowd, weeping for joy at Barak Obama's overwhelming election.

Now, I don't really like the guy much, as he has always struck me as a complete self-aggrandizer... But seeing those genuine tears of joy from Jessie caused me at that moment to put myself in his figurative place. As a white male, rarely (if ever!) have I experienced hatred and/or discrimination. But for someone of Jessie Jackson's generation, think of all that they have had to endure, of all of the rights – basic human rights – that they had to fight to get for all of their lives.

And there is now an African-American as our president.

People have literally died, and many more put their lives on the line, to help make this moment happen. This is bigger than just an election. This is bigger than an overwhelming rebuke to the ineptitude of George W. Bush, and the hateful politics of the Republican party. This is truly a watershed moment for all of America, and perhaps the world.

And Jessie made me realize that.