Separating the wheat from the chaff

outside City Hall last night

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Oh no! I've lost three "followers" since yesterday. Quel dommage. Hopefully they're back to knitting tea cozies and fervently praying that their God didn't notice they were reading my blog for a while (Please, don't pray for me. I'll take my chances.). Guess they didn't want to get lumped in with the wrong crowd, eh? LOL.

My ego is sufficiently inflated enough to hope that I might be impinging on the happy fantasy worlds of a few others by showing my support that all people, of all races and sexes deserve to be treated equally by the laws that govern all of us. But I'm just a tiny voice in the world, so I can't say that I have that much power to disillusion someone who is already deluded. These folks better turn up their televisions a bit louder to drown out the voice of outrage, because my tiny voice is now amplified with all the other tiny voices that demand a nation where all people are valued and recognized.

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"From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own." ~ Carl Schurz

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I wish I could write more today. But read Mark Morford's column. With any luck, I'll lose a few more brain-and-heart shackled followers in some Guilt By Association with a columnist who says it like it is. Go Mark!

And I probably won't be around a computer much for the rest of the week. Things are not good with Little Helen healthwise and my Bunny needs me. I'm not sure how much longer my grandma is going to be around.

But I did upload the photos from yesterday's evening protest. You can see them here.

This photo below is my favorite. I don't know who this girl is, but we just caught each other at the same time. Two random people passing at a particular moment in history.

I call this one Picture a Protest.

xoxo

What About Change?

Don't you know
They're talkin' bout a revolution
It sounds like a whisper
Don't you know
They're talkin' about a revolution
It sounds like a whisper

While they're standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion

Poor people gonna rise up
And get their share
Poor people gonna rise up
And take what's theirs

Don't you know
You better run, run, run...
Oh I said you better Run, run, run...
Finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin' bout a revolution

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First, a tip of the hat to Johanna and A Cuban in London for providing the elements that made this idea for a post finally come together.

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I remember years ago, my sister and I waiting for hours to see Tracy Chapman perform at the Shoreline Ampitheatre, sitting on the lawn on a warm summer night, our backs hurting from hours on the ground, trying to find a comfortable way to sit. Finally, when Tracy came out and sang, it was so worth it.

Looking back, what a thrill it was to see her perform and sing along with the crowd to songs that were very moving and beloved by all of us. But now this song seems like its time has finally come. Even this version of the song, sung years later (and how has her voice changed) only adds more power to the words.

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In a way, the election seems like it was ages ago.

I just got an email from David Plouffe yesterday (you may have gotten one, too), about taking a survey about the campaign and offering ideas about the new presidency to come in a short time. I was glad to see his name in my inbox again. Seemed like old times. ;-)

It made me think, along with Johanna's post, about what we're prepared to do now that change could truly be coming to us. I know there's a lot of speculation about Obama's cabinet, and people are already griping about this historic presidency being Clinton's Third Term and the far right is already planning its attacks and the man hasn't even taken office yet.

Aside from those distractions (which I'm trying really hard to avoid because I feel like this election has taken an emotional toll on me--you might feel the same way--and it's almost like I'm recovering from an ailment that has alternately made me incredibly depressed and also crazily elated), I know that a shift has come over me. I can't not care anymore about the future of our political system and the impact it has on us and our children's futures. Holding my baby niece and watching Little Curly Girl play made me realize how much we owe our future citizens. This morning, the first news item on the radio I hear as I'm getting dressed for work is how the auto companies are asking Congress for money to avoid bankruptcy. I can't help thinking about those families, those children, the workers who will truly suffer.

I'm not sure exactly how it's going to all come together, but I know that somehow I'll be inspired to act and contribute, not just to do my best to support my new president, but to be more involved locally. Do you feel the same way? And if so, what thoughts do you have about how you'll do it?

I'm sure I'll have more thoughts on the matter later, but I'm wondering how this election has affected you to be more aware and involved for the future.