President Obama laid it out last night in his remarks to the Human Rights Campaign.
I am hopeful -- I am still hopeful, because of a deeper shift that we’re seeing; a transformation not only written into our laws, but woven into the fabric of our society.
It’s progress led not by Washington but by ordinary citizens, who are propelled not just by politics but by love and friendship and a sense of mutual regard. It’s playing out in legislatures like New York, and courtrooms and in the ballot box. But it’s also happening around water coolers and at the Thanksgiving table, and on Facebook and Twitter, and at PTA meetings and potluck dinners, and church socials and VFW Halls.
It happens when a father realizes he doesn’t just love his daughter, but also her wife. It happens when a soldier tells his unit that he’s gay, and they tell him they knew it all along and they didn’t care, because he was the toughest guy in the unit. It happens when a video sparks a movement to let every single young person know they’re not alone, and things will get better. It happens when people look past their ultimately minor differences to see themselves in the hopes and struggles of their fellow human beings. That’s where change is happening.
And that’s not just the story of the gay rights movement. That’s the story of America -- the slow, inexorable march towards a more perfect union.
To be honest, sometimes when I hear things like this from OUR PRESIDENT, I get a little teary and want to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. I feel like I've waited my whole life to have an opportunity to support someone like this in the White House. And now its really happening!
Sure, I get mad and frustrated that too many others don't see it. But I will NOT let them take this moment away from me. He's human and therefore not perfect. But this is the opportunity of a lifetime and I'm going "all in" with this guy!
The change happens then the legislation catches up. The kind of change that takes time but that the Republicans, no matter how much they hate people who are different, cannot just make go away because they pass a law or resolution. People accepting diversity is a long and constant process that occurs in society at large.
ReplyDelete'...the story of America -- the slow, inexorable march ...'
ReplyDelete"What we need in America,..., is a moral agenda that is tied to a concrete agenda for building and rebuilding our communities," [the post below]
I would add that we also need people who can recognize these two and be ready to 'take off their bedroom slippers and put on their marching shoes' to help change along.
I continue to feel encouraged that day by day more and more people seem to be realizing that the opportunity is here; that change may not look like the way THEY had envisioned it in 2008, but change is happening nonetheless.
For this opportunity of a lifetime, I too will not let anyone take away, or tarnish, my joy in this president!
"I would add that we also need people who can recognize these two and be ready to 'take off their bedroom slippers and put on their marching shoes' to help change along."
ReplyDeleteVery true--but again, it is sad that some on our side of the political fence cannot--or will not--see this, and thus continue to spout the claims that the President is not only ineffective, or lacks courage, but that he's also a closet Republican or a secret Right-winger.
Which makes no bloody sense when one looks at his policies and achievements and what he's written, but I suppose that common sense is lacking in some who criticize him in a non-constructive, vitriolic way....