Nov 05 2008
Yes, We Really Can
This will be a non-autism related post…sort of. I’ve just spent the evening watching the first African-American president become elected. And I feel hopeful. I feel hopeful that my bi-racial children will now grow up among a different world view, that there is now an image of success at a whole different level than I’d ever imagined. I feel hopeful that no matter what my son’s differences, it has been proven in a very visceral way for me that the sky is truly the limit for him, for my daughter, for generations to come.
I’m rambling a little because I’m, honestly, floored. No matter what happens now, beyond political alliance or color of skin, the majority of the people of this nation have stood up and looked beyond difference toward our best hope to achieve the common good.
So in that way, maybe this is a post about autism, about succeeding regardless of difference. Maybe it is a post about possibility, and vision, and hope. Yes, we can. I will look at my son with the renewed belief that yes, he can too.
I think it’s even greater than most realize at this point. Despite legitimate questions about President-Elect Obama’s present youth and inexperience, an entire nation saw fit to decline on the mainline Democratic ticket, as well as a Republican moderate.
My suspicion is that when people voted this year, they did not vote along party lines at all, since the perspective of any person in Congress nowadays, on any given issue, is likely to vary beyond party line, somewhat.
This was a vote for a man of excellent character and ability, which is tremendous.
President-Elect Obama obviously has a lot of work ahead of him, with or without the war, the current financial crisis, or anything else left over from previous administrations.