A Reflection on an Election
Yesterday was an election. And as with all elections, some people are happy and some are disappointed. Frankly, there are probably many that are a little bit of both. Either way, we should all celebrate that once again we have elected our leaders peacefully.Well, without war or blood shed? Yes. Peacefully? I am not so sure.I have been amazed by what I have seen and heard said about our fellow citizens. Horrible things said about those who wear a different political. color. Whether red or blue, I have seen a divide worthy of the Crips and Bloods. And they are said as if this "other" is not possibly a neighbor, friend, or even family.The thing that makes this country great is its diversity of thought. Liberals come in all shapes and sizes, colors and ages. The same goes for Conservatives and Independents. You may be sitting next to one or the other at your church or across the table of your child's cafeteria. I assure you that no matter homogeneous your surroundings, no matter how progressive your church or conservative your neighborhood club, someone you care about, someone you think highly of, has a different political view than you.So before you call someone an un-American nut job because they are a liberal or a sexist and racist pig because they are conservative, remember that. Put the face of your friend or family member on that label and see if it really fits.I am a liberal. I am also a Christian, a Southerner, and the wife of a veteran. I am not ill-educated, amoral, or misguided. I love my country and my hopes and dreams for it are no less sincere than those of my conservative friends. My request to those conservative friends is that when they think of those crazy socialist liberals, they remember that they are speaking of me.On the same note, many people I love dearly are conservative. They are not racist, sexist, or hateful. They love their country just as much as I do and therefore, even though I may disagree greatly with their views, I respect and honor their feelings and right to support them. When I speak of conservatives, they are always in my mind. I would never speak of them generically in a way that I would not speak of them personally. I would ask that my liberal friends do the same.No matter the party, we are all Americans. Let's speak of and to each other with the respect that we all deserve. If you are happy today -- I celebrate for you. Please remember how it felt to be on the other side, Remember if you felt alienated or removed from the process while watching others hoot and holler. If you are disappointed today, remember what it felt to be excited and how it felt to see others undermine what felt so right and real for you.At the end of the day, it comes down to living the values you were taught in preschool. Be kind. Don't be a sore loser or rotten winner. Treat others as you would like to be treated, And remember, those that make up the "other" party are real people and very likely people you know. people you know very well.