Yesterday, my youngest daughter was racially profiled at a Florida clothing store. We entered the store together, but my daughter's body language was a little sullen and distant because she was being punished for normal teenage rebellious behavior. The salesperson must not have known that we were together, but I noticed her following my African American daughter around the store. She tried to be subtle about it, but I could see what was happening. She was racially profiling her. My daughter wasn't profiled because she was a female, she was targeted because of her race. This beautiful intelligent girl, who had everything going against her at her birth, has blossomed into an intelligent, goal driven student. Even though she was born addicted to crack, she is a vivacious, intelligent teenager who has high aspirations even while overcoming disabilities that came with the circumstances of birth. She is a blessing in all her teenage glory and angst. Girlie Girl is a joy to us.
She has something valuable to contribute to this world and yet, she was racially profiled yesterday.
I want more for my children. I want more for my daughters.
And I want more for my sons.
I support Barack Obama for many reasons. I support him for his amazing credentials. I support him for his intelligence. I support him because of his good judgement. I support him because of his amazing ability to bring people together. I support him because he has been able to engage our youth, including my own children, for the first time. My kids are finally engaged in politics; in their political future. I support Obama because he is infusing energy, youth and enthusiasm into the Democratic Party. I support Barack Obama because he makes us believe that...together..."Yes, we can heal this nation."
Maria reinforced my belief that "Yes, we can" change our country. We have the power to change it voice by voice, citizen by citizen, vote by vote.
And I will never get tired of this:
Now is the time to volunteer. Now is the time to vote...for Barack Obama.
1 comment:
Overcoming addiction can be very hard to do. I found comfort throughout my recovery in this book I recently read called Nub.
It's inspiring as well as hopeful.
The author, Emile Barrios once said, " I think we are all "crippled" by things we think hold us back from reaching our potential. But the real handicaps we struggle with are in our head (and of our own making), and it is only by attacking these handicaps at their root and taking responsibility for our lives that we can get better.
I really believe this. Nothing else sums it up any better.
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