I heart kids. Foreals.
Imagine being in the voting booth and the only thing you have to go on is the candidates’ stand on the issues. Imagine voting purely based on a candidate’s record. Imagine not knowing anything about a candidate’s personality. Imagine not even knowing a candidate’s gender or race. Imagine that nothing would get in the way of making an educated, informed decision.
The Upper School Student Council imagined such an election and on October 28, 2008 five candidates addressed the entire Upper School. Under the direction of teacher Taylor Black, they presented issue-oriented platforms, presenting their stance on Iraq, Afghanistan, healthcare, abortion, the bailout, gay marriage, drilling for oil, immigration, death penalty, public education, and Israel.
The students listened and then they voted. It was only after they elected Bari Saltman that they learned they had elected Ralph Nader (Bari received 46% of the votes). Zak Sawyer stood in for McCain and received 4%; Emily Graham, being Obama, got 29% of the votes; Nia James represented the Libertarian Bob Barr and earned 2% of the votes; and Jesse Goldberg was Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney and took 17%.
I attended an election night party and watched my friends exclaim in joy when Barack Obama was declared the president-elect. Tears were shed, hugs were exchanged, a few of my friends were in disbelief that America finally elected its first black president.
“We’ve come so far.”
Uh, no.
In California, Florida and Arizona, propositions were passed that ban gay marriage. In other words, it’s expected of me to pay taxes like every other American citizen, but there is no way in hell I will ever be allowed an additional 1,049 federal rights that are conferred to married couples in California, Florida and Arizona.
I am surprised no one thought to write a proposition that segregates bathrooms and public water fountains: straights and homos.
Right about now, I’m not seeing the progress.
If you live in either California, Florida or Arizona, you need to protest these propositions. It’s not enough that you voted “no” or elected a black president. You need to find the companies that supported these propositions and boycott them back into the prehistoric era. You need to write President-Elect Barack Obama and express your outrage. Ask him to publicly admonish these propositions.
Same goes for everyone not living in those states. Your work is not done. We are not “free”. Don’t pull any progressive elitism and tell me “it’s a step in the right direction.” That’s an act of cowardice. If you were denied 1,049 federal rights, you’d be pissed, too. At the most basic level, start making a difference by using the power of your wallet. Campaign contributions are public record: request a list of who donated in favor of the propositions and actively let these companies know why you will not give them your money.
And for fuck’s sake, people, bone up on history and read The Powell Manifesto.