To Liam and Annie On This Historical Day-After

Yesterday, the citizens of our nation chose a man named Barack Obama to be our 44th President. What is particularly remarkable about this simple fact is that Barack Obama is black. Maybe by the time you are old enough to read this you will take this fact in stride. Or rather, by the time you are old enough to read this I hope you are able take this fact in stride, that race, gender, sexual identity...whatever the peripheral matters that often divide us now...will be nothing of consequence to you as you move through the world, choosing friends, mates, and yes, leaders. But today is a glorious day in the history of our nation.

Even for me, just a generation or two removed from the prejudice, intolerance, hatred and brutality that ran rampant through our country in the 50's and 60's (and, course, hundreds of years before), this is a momentous event. I grew up with no understanding whatsoever of why race and gender were qualifications (or disqualifications) for jobs, for friends, for lovers, for mates. Well, that's not exactly true. I grew up understanding that inequality existed and was even promoted, but it never made much sense to me. And while I often saw injustice around me, intolerance and hatred, I knew it was wrong, and I hope in most cases, spoke up for the downcast, even if mine was the lone voice of dissent. Your grandma and grandpa raised me well, with an eye toward fairness and equality, paying forward the lesson they learned in their youth and quite possibly, from the choices and jaded opinions of their own parents and grandparents. So I can only imagine what this election has meant for them.

I wanted to tell you about this day without bringing politics into the discussion. Because, right now, it is not about policies and promises, taxes and programs. At least not for me. Not in this moment. It is about a country turning it's back on some very deeply rooted beliefs, beliefs that are centuries old and the basis for a very ugly part of our nation's history, beliefs that judged a person's value by the color of their skin and nothing more. Yesterday, a President was chosen because he was the best individual for the job. Okay...so that is probably getting a little political, if only vaguely so. But I guess what I am trying to get across to you is that the people who elected him into this highest office, your momma included, did so because they believed in him, in his message and in his ability to lead this beautiful and amazing country of ours. His race was inconsequential.

Despite the differing political beliefs you will hear floating around our home as you grow up, and despite the fact that daddy and I did not agree on who we believed would be the best choice for President in this election, I think that he would stand with me in saying that we are proud of the changing climate in our country. Proud that not only did we see an African American become President of the United States, but also saw a woman run for her party's nomination as their Presidential candidate. A culture of inequality and prejudice slowly (though not even close to completely) becoming a thing of the past. I think it gives us all hope. And I think we all stand a little taller today, regardless of our political convictions.

It is this kind of world we want to raise you in, my darlings, and the possibilities are endless.