Let Freedom Ring

There is a buzz in Indiana today as Hoosiers flock to the polls; apparently the idea of actually influencing the selection of a party candidate has us all atwitter, because according to the local paper, turnout is more indicative of a general election than a little ole primary.

I hit my polling station on the way to work, and as I parked my car, I realized that for the first time in my entire life, I was truly excited to vote. In fact, it wasn't until very recently that politics meant anything to me at all.

Growing up, the whole function of government seemed a mystery not unlike the Bermuda Triangle. Sure, I took the Constitution test in eighth grade (and passed, lest you deem me a complete moron), and it was interesting enough, but when it came time to apply those principles to the world around me, it was too overwhelming. Hell, I could barely get a handle on basic algebra--there was no way I felt smart enough to talk about the merits of those running for office. My parents are loyal Republicans, and I have memories of watching the news with them at dinnertime, my father complaining about Mayor Daley's latest crime against the Chicago Fire Department, my mother nodding her head in agreement, and I remember feeling slighted on their behalf, too young to do anything but pretend I understood. When I was eight years old, I distinctly remember asking my mom why she didn't like Michael Dukakis and her telling me he wanted to kill babies. Kill babies! I was horrified. Lil' Frema had visions of men in uniforms lined up against a concrete wall, cradling newborns in their arms, each waiting to rid the planet of their vast uselessness.

(And here I must tell you writing that last paragraph was really uncomfortable for me, and in no way do I maintain a cavalier attitude towards abortion, but I'm assuming you all can appreciate my attempt to liven up a hazy childhood memory with the humor that accompanies a child's literal interpretation of a statement way beyond her level of understanding. You got that, right? We're still friends? Good.)

That political naiveté stayed with me into early adulthood. The first time I was eligible to vote was during the 2000 presidential election, but I was attending school in Indiana, and my permanent residence was Illinois, and I didn't know enough about the issues (or care enough, if we're being honest) to request an absentee ballot at the time. I did vote in 2004, at which time I knew enough about politics to label myself a Democrat, but I was only slightly put off by the results, not emotionally invested in John Kerry by any means, and certainly not heartbroken over the outcome.

But now I am different. Now I am motivated by our current state of affairs to want better for my family--specifically, for Kara. Now I follow the news to learn more about the goings-on in my city and surf the Web to become more educated on which candidates best meet my criteria for local and national leadership. Luke and I are currently rooting for Barack Obama, so much so that we seriously considered attending one of his rallies last night, but having a four-month-old baby who wants to be fed and changed and entertained on her terms, not ours, was reason enough to stay home (read: go to Applebee's, where we didn't have to wait in line for two hours and beg for admittance). But we listened to several of his radio interviews, and we watched last month's debate, and we talk constantly about how inspired we are by his vision and his ability to stay gracious under fire.

Also, his winning smile. So dreamy!

 

I like Barack and I cannot lie.

But this post isn't about who I voted for or why (so please don't flame me for my opinion, I have a "Delete" button and I'm not afraid to use it). It's about my new appreciation for the way leaders are chosen in this country and how grateful I am to have a voice in the process. This morning, I almost teared up reflecting on how lucky we Americans are to be able to elect our commander-in-chief (however imperfect the process may be) and support our favorite without fear of repercussion.

And Kara is lucky, too, because finally, she has a mother who cares.

Comments

[Marriage-101]

Good for you! It always puts on a smile on my face when people actually do the research and think for themselves and don't just follow the lead of their parents, or worse, don't vote at all!

[Sadie]

Kara is lucky to have a mother who cares!

Funny, I was 14 in 1988 and remember very little about Dukakis. But I pounded pavement for Bill Clinton in 1992, when I turned 18 six weeks before I voted in my first presidential election.

The next six months will truly be interesting, and I suspect that we can't even imagine in how many ways.

[Janssen]

Oh, I love this post (and I would have loved it, frankly, no matter who you were voting for, even though I voted for Obama when we had Texas primaries a few months ago). It's just so wonderful to see people really caring about politics and I love that this election, for the first time in a long time, is making politics seem real to a lot of people (myself included) and a time when your vote really could make a difference in your future.

[ann]

I also grew up in the Chicago area and my parents were very staunch Republicans. Throughout my childhood I heard a lot about "those damn democrats!" Heh.
The older I've gotten, I'm more concerned with issues for my family and the future. I've voted with the democrats the last couple of elections. Sorry mom and dad!

[Jen L.]

Really great post, Frema! I am totally with you on the "I felt too naive and out of the loop to vote" bandwagon. This is the first election I've really invested myself in (like you, a lot of that has to do with the fact that I'm a parent now) and it's exciting. Incidentally, I'm also backing Obama--he does have kind of a dreamy smile, huh?

[Molly]

Great minds think alike, sister! Just think, at the presidential election after this, you'll be toting Miss Kara and her little sibling to show them how it's done. ;o)

[Grandma Molly]

Kara is indeed lucky. For a few moments, I did think about going to Indy on Monday night to hear Barack speak. Of course, you know that he has my vote.

[Jenny]

Great post. Yes, a winning smile...

Here's a good time as any to tell you when I stood right next to Barack...

A few years ago I was at the Office Depot in Hyde Park here in Chicago where I was going to school. In front of me at the checkout was this tall, handsome black man by himself buying a ream of paper. He looked familiar, but I couldn't place him.
After I checked out, I was on my way to the car and I saw the same man surrounded by a group of women. That was when I realized who he was - at the time he was still the state senator from Illinois - he wasn't a US senator yet.
Anyway, I told myself from that point on, any man - a SENATOR yet - who stands in line for his own paper, will have my vote!

I SO wish I realized sooner who he was and asked for his autograph. Damn!

[Jenny]

By the way, I was going to school in Hyde Park, not at Office Depot as it may have sounded above!
And having come to know him a lot more, he'd have my vote even if he DIDN'T buy his own paper...

[Liza]

What a great and bold post. Thanks for talking about your experience with the democratic process -- I bet Kara catches your enthusiasm!

[Isabel]

I heard Obama's speech last night on NPR as I drove to a church meeting. I cried as I listened to him talk about the American Dream. I'm not ashamed to admit this. It was very moving.

But um...I'm still not sure who I like better. Although, at this point, it looks like it's going to be Obama and that one old white guy. :-)

[eva]

Great post - I look forward to more like this from you. Also, I love the new template and header (even though I kind of miss the cute big-glasses photo:).
And if I could vote in the States it would be Hillary all the way for me. Despite lack of dreamy smile.

[Rachel]

Great post. I don't know why people can be so fleeting with their right to vote. I think too many people don't realize just how lucky we are as Americans to have that right.

Of course I am excited to be able to cast my vote again in November but I am also very happy and proud to be a part of an election in which a woman as well as an African-American are, not only running, but front-runners that both stand a very good chance of becoming our next President. I think it's amazing to see just how far we have come as a country in a relatively short amount of time.

[Grandma Molly]

By the way great title. Yes, let freedom ring.

[Erika]

I'm so excited that you've found a candidate you feel like you can support whole-heartedly! Doesn't it feel wonderful to study up on the candidates and issues and know that your vote is intelligent and well thought-out? Maybe you'll be able to explain the tough issues a little more clearly when Kara's old enough to ask.

Funny, totally unrelated story: When my friend was young, she asked her mother what a prostitute was and her mother told her that a prostitute was a woman who sold her body for sex. Up until the time she was 15, my friend thought a prostitute was a woman who catered specifically to necrophiliacs. As you can see, you're not the first person to misunderstand your mother's explanation of a tricky topic.

[milk&honey]

Totally off topic, but I think you should see this: www.ThingsIDidLastNight.com :)

[Lindsey]

I feel the same way...I'm actually excited to vote in the upcoming election! I mean, really excited! I feel that the process, for once, actually feels refreshed/ing!

[Jenny]

Happy First Mothers Day. Hope it was great!