Hope.

Last week I headed to Carrboro Town Hall to cast my (early) vote, and was eager to take Flipper along for a lesson in her (future) civic duty. Perhaps foolishly, I thought she would be THRILLED to go along with me to engage in something so very, very grown-up. HOWEVER...I was wrong. After my admittedly fumbling attempt to explain what a president does, let alone what "voting" is, she denied me by stating, "It doesn't sound like fun." So...I left her at Weaver Street with my sister. And I went of to perform my civic duty all by myself. As with almost every decision I make, I had multiple second thoughts: should I have made her go, how can I make it "fun", should it even BE fun?!? Then I stopped thinking about it, left her with her adored and beloved aunt, and went off to the blessedly empty polls on my own. On Election Night I went to a friend's house for a small party she was having, and it was exciting to watch things start to happen. I went to bed at 9, and raced outside at 5:45 to get the paper, the front page of which I will save. And here is why: Flipper, at just 5, is growing up in a world vastly different from the one I did, even though she and I are in my hometown, only ten minutes from the house I grew up in.
I never thought I would see anyone other than a old, rich, white man be our president. I thought I might, just might see a woman president, but I would be very old before that day came around. And now it has happened. And I wonder, what incredible social and historical event will she see one day? Because she undoubtedly will. I hope I am alive to see it, whatever it is, with her. But this event, this historical moment, will not feel that way to her. I don't think she can imagine a world where the color of your skin-or the pinkness or blueness of your baby blanket-actually matters. Her world will have different barriers to overcome, different issues to address. But the issues that have dogged our country for so long have been put to rest, although they will be replaced by others.
I wrote a few weeks ago about how heartening it is to work in the school where I do, to be surrounded by so many great students and teachers. Their passion and involvement in this election has been incredible to witness from my desk in the administration office; the stickers, the t-shirts, the discussions, the trip to see Sarah Palin at Elon. The central hall this morning was filled with incredible energy, hugs, high-fives, loud and joyful sounds. ALL FROM PEOPLE TOO YOUNG TO VOTE. But not too young to care, very much, what happens to their world. And this is what I hope for Flipper, that no matter how great the temptation to become cynical, bitter, jaded on our country and how it runs, that she will always, always care.