Despite being largely on the fence earlier this year, I voted for Hillary in the Super Tuesday primary. My decision was grounded in two main areas:
• First, as you might imagine I find Hillary’s focus on fixing the healthcare system as particularly attractive - I don’t think she has the solution, but I do think that her passion will help her and others to develop the right solution once she is in office. I have not seen this same passion on the issue of healthcare from any other candidate.
• Second, Hillary’s dedication to feminist ideals throughout her career is deeply important to me as a woman. Her first-hand understanding of the challenges that stand in the way of women in America, paired with over 30 years of activism, gives me hope that she will continue move feminism forward.
Over the last two months I have watched as Hillary has gained and lost a lead in the delegate race. Although the battle is getting tough, she still has my full support and I am hopeful that she might pull out the nomination.
With that said, today, for the first time (ever) I was deeply moved by a politician. This morning Barack Obama delivered the most meaningful political speech of my lifetime. Although the speech came in response to media frenzy over what another man had said, the message he gave was not just a response but an inspiration.
His heartfelt words told the story of our nation’s troubled past and how it has shaped our troubled present. He called attention to the deep seated racism that most are afraid to mention, the racism that has been ingrained in white, black, Latino, Asian and Native American people for centuries now. He was not afraid to say that racism always was and still is a part of who we are. Although we have tried to hide and ignore this problem for as long we have realized it is a problem, it remains.
Despite calling attention to America’s dirty laundry, he left me hopeful. He made me feel proud to be an American; something that I have not been able to say for a very long time. He made me remember that America is full of good people, with good hearts and good intentions. The hatred that sometimes surfaces in our day to day lives comes from a long history of discrimination that has been entrenched in our culture and has been proliferated by bad policy decisions and an irresponsible media. The wounds of the past are deep, but we are capable of healing with the right vision and the right leader.
Although I wholeheartedly support Hillary, I have no doubt that Obama will serve our nation well as president. If he ultimately wins the nomination at the convention this summer I will proudly cast my vote for him in November and look to him to lead us out of our past and into a brighter future.
If you have not heard or read Obama’s speech I strongly encourage you to do so and share it with anyone and everyone that is willing to listen. The message he delivers is not meant for the ears of white people or black people, it is meant for the ears of the American people and each and every one of us can find meaning and hope in his words.
The Transcript - http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/18/politics/main3947908.shtml
The Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU
It makes me so happy to find Hillary supports. I poured my heart and soul into working for her campaign in SC. I was devastated when she lost here, and I am hoping she will still come out on top. She is the most amazing woman ever. I saw her speak 4 different times in person and I went to the MB debate. I wish everyone could see the person I see when I look at her, then they would have no excuse but to vote for her. Let's hope for good results in PA and for MI and FL to receive their delegates.