Can You Feel Two Things at Once?

I just spent 30 minutes wandering through my 100’s of books trying to figure out what to read; what to take to the dentist tomorrow.  I could not rest on anything.  I was drawn to the Dalai Lama which leads to several choices or anything by Betty Friedan.  I had to ask what is this Friedan thing about.

Several people have called and the conversation has been entirely dependent on their sexual orientation and feminist focus.  The progressives I know who are straight and not feminist-first people, are high as kites today.  The world changed today and you can be sure it is not lost on me at all.

Particularly here in California, lots and lots of people voted for Obama, for change, for just economics, for a sane global community.  But what the fuck are they thinking about writing an amendment to the state constitution to stop men who love men and women who love women from being able to have their families protected by the civil term, marriage.  I am really mad about it.  The people in Utah need to just get the hell out of my face.  LDS spent 75 million to manage Californians.  It is none of their business.  Don’t they have something to do?

I am really feeling so crabby about it.  I expected the Knights of Columbus to object ~ but aren’t they supposed to pour their money into soup kitchens, assisting the sick, sheltering the homeless ~ and they spent their money on dishonest commercials??  Was that one of the beatitudes at the sermon on the mount?  I recall Matthew  exactly, about how to get into heaven and it was all about love and caring for those who have less.  There is nothing about removing rights.

Ok – so now I have to say something about Arkansas.  No really, Arkansas.  Children without parents may not be adopted by gay couples.  Do you think it is contagious?  Are you that incredibly stupid?  What is the point?  What are you so afraid of?  Pedophiles are mostly straight men.  I am just overwhelmed about this.  If they believe this is good ~ they are the ones who should not be raising kids. 

So back to Friedan.  I have to confess.  I have to fess up.  All day long on CNN, MSNBC, The Today Show, Vernon Jordan on The View, Larry King, Oprah’s guests today – dozens of African Americans who are spilling over with pride and joy.  The color barrier is broken for ever.  The Bradley Effect has dissolved.  African American moms and dads and teachers have told their little boys all day that anything is possible. 

I am so jealous.  I know that had it been a woman ,who was the president elect, how much it would have meant.  Lets really look for a minute, one more woman in the Senate (now 17%), ten more in the House, one more (in number – as two were elected, but one lost) female governor.  What would today have been like if Hillary had won – I can’t help but wonder.  And I have to say, being 60, I lament that I may not see feminist woman in the White House.

NOW issued a congratulatory press release today and stated that they hope the new administration will support the U.N.’s CEDAW ~ but the release said nothing about the ERA.  That is so weird because both these policies are in the same paragraph (page 46) of the Democratic platform.  NOW isn’t even advancing women’s Constitutional rights?  ~ oh heck ~ I just have to be wrong about that.

I am excited about Obama.  I am really thrilled about the millions of new voters, states turning blue and so many students who are now in the political process.  Obama & Biden will do wonderful things for women.  I did hear Obama mention gay people last night – yeah!  But MAKE NO MISTAKE – homophobia and misogyny are very much alive, have deep pockets and are the next obstacle we must take on.

Oh yeah, the book I picked up, Passionate Politics by Charlotte Bunch.

Comments

[Chelsea]

I'm feeling exactly the same way, Zoe. I am so happy that Obama won, yet deeply saddened by the passing of Measure 8. I only hope that it will not hold up in the courts. I too have been wondering what this day would be like had it been Hilary to win. I wish I knew, but I hope I will know one day soon what it feels like to have a feminist woman president.

[Linda Perkins]

Zoe, I'm not in California this week and wasn't there last night for the vote. I've been following Proposition 8 from afar. I am beyond horrified that 70% of Blacks who voted for Obama on yesterday in California voted yes on Proposition 8. My college age daughter sent me the stats from the LA Times and was beside herself with indignation. She said wasn't it ironic that when Blacks were celebrating one of the most important days in history, we helped to deny freedom to another group of people. I repeatedly hear from the Blacks I know that this vote is biblical and based on their religious teachings that homosexuality is a sin. I always tell them that slave holders justified slavery with scripture as well. This is something that will have to be addressed headon in our communities. This type of bigotry cannot be tolerated and condoned. I am SO SORRY for the outcome of Proposition 8 as well as the outcome of the Arkansas vote on gay adoptions.

[Mary]

You always articulate so well what many of us are feeling. Even people who I "know" may have voted for things I voted against, said to me yesterday that they felt "lighter, as though a weight had been removed from their shoulders..." And yet. And yet. The vote for Prop 8 is not only saddening it is shocking. When will we, as a species, remember that religion is a tool to inspire, to bring one closer to Source? Is it closer to Source to deny two people their right to proclaim love in a civil and legal fashion? How can that be? How is that even possible, in a 'civilized' nation that has just allgedly voted for change? If "God" IS love, something that all of the book religions agree on, then how is this possible? How can one type of family 'conceived in love' condemn another type? Are love, connection and family (including all definitions of that institution) not things we all want, need and depend on? So, yes, elated that the country as a whole voted for change. Deeply saddened and more than a little upset that this change is still flavored by "well, but not that form of love, because prejudice is still a "god-given" right"...and still anticipating the day when Mothers and Fathers of any color in this country are saying to their DAUGHTERS.... "anything is possible".