Ok, so this is America, the US of A. I love it. I respect it, I believe in it.
We are on the verge of a historical moment in the United States. We might elect the first African American to the most difficult, challenging and powerful position in the world.
How does that make you feel?

I am awed by the possibility. I am further awed that a woman came ever so close to also doing something never done before in the USA, vying for the Presidency of the United States.
I have seen segregation in the South first hand. I still recall the “Whites Only” signs. I still remember facing down a Virginia Deputy Sheriff who wanted to ban our church group from a public beach because we had one “colored” girl with us. It has been a period of great introspection and revelation for this nation. Think about that for a moment. It gives me goose bumps.

You know what else gives me goose bumps? That my grandchildren, Kyle 12 and Rachel who just turned ten, think that electing a Black man is as normal as listening to their Ipods. That gives me goose bumps and puts a huge lump in my throat.

I asked them about this possibility, this moment of history in the making.
When I explained to their dad that I was writing this article and wanted to know if Kyle and Rachel realized how momentous an occasion this was; or if they were clueless, he told me they were clueless.
Not so dad, read on.

I asked Kyle who is 12:
Do you know who Barack Obama is?

Yes. He’s running for President.

Do you think he will be elected as our President?

I think he will because a lot of people like him.

Do you realize that he is the first Black man to run for President of the United States?
(* I note that I mentioned Presumptive Democratic Candidate drew blank stares)

Yes I do, I think he’ll be the first Black President. A lot of kids at my school like him.
Grandma is he the first one (Black man) to have ever run for President?
*Note above
 
Yes Kyle, this is a moment in history equivalent to George Washington being our first President and John F. Kennedy being our first Catholic President.
A black man may be our next President.

Oh.

I asked Rachel, who is 10:
Do you know anything about the election for President?

No.

Do you know who Barack Obama is?

I know he is running for President.

Do you think he would make a good President?

I think he would.

Why?

I don’t know.

Do you know that he is the first Black man to (Again note that presumptive candidate drew blank stares) run for President?

Yes.

Does that matter to you?

No it doesn’t matter; I think he might do good things for the world.

So how proud do you think I am right about now?

But at the same time I reflect on the fact that women are still being excluded from all men golf clubs and that talented women are routinely overlooked when they attempt to break into the sports broadcast booth. I also acknowledge that the “glass ceiling” is still very sturdy and resistant to change. Just think about how Hilary was chided by men during her campaign. So although we still have far to travel, we are at least beginning the journey.

I’m not in the mood to whine today, to shake my fist at the injustice of it all.
It’s the Fourth of July, a day to celebrate all that’s good and right about America.
My whining and righteous indignation simply will not prompt historical change.

I see hope in the future of this nation, perhaps because I am a glass half full person.
In the face of global warming, religious wars and intolerance, racial genocide, corporate greed, lack of health coverage and our educational system’s decay, I see the same spirit and optimism our forefathers had when they created this great nation of ours.
I see it in the glow of my grandchildren’s eyes.