On the election

I still smile like a sucker every time I think about how this nation got out and voted and changed the world. It seems like an exageration, but in essence, we collectively changed the world in the way that the US is perceived which can have a lot of lasting ramifications. We are still on cloud nine and I have a lot of hope that Obama will do his best to bring our country forward and not let us down like so many expect.

This hasn’t let me feel the complete joy that I wish I could feel in this post-election OMGOBAMA era that I wish I could feel. This really messes with my identity as a Californian, as an Angelino, even. I can’t believe that half the people I see on a day to day basis are so scared and bigotted that they would want to add into our state’s constitution writing that would eliminate rights to anyone. Don’t those words scare them? Don’t they remember how not too long ago, they couldn’t marry interacially (and in some circles there is still a strong stigma attached to that)? Don’t they realize that they are shoving their beliefs down other people’s throats? Don’t they realize that their kids don’t see anything wrong with same sex couples until you teach them that it’s wrong?

I have never been ashamed of my state. I have always touted my Southern Californian heritage proudly. But this really messes with me because it reminds me that there is still so much work do be done. Last night as I was getting ready to go to sleep, I turned on the local news and saw that the No on Prop 8 rally turned into a massive march that went in several directions. Thankfully it looks like it was kept peaceful, even as the anchors and correspondents used words like "furious" and "angry" and never once said "dissapointed" or "frustrated". They made them look like a mob of pissed off gays and lesbians instead of a march of frustrated voters voicing their dissapointment over a civil rights issue.

Oh California, how could you do this to us?