Yesterday my seven year old, Natalie, described an incident on the playground. She and her girl friends were on the jungle gym and an older boy told them they needed to get off because a group of boys wanted to play on it. The girls got off and watched with anger and hopelessness as the boys took over their play area. Natalie said to me with great gravity in her voice, "I realized at that moment that segregation was happening all over again." I was tickled - clearly she's been paying attention in class during their social studies lessons, but I was also struck by how deeply the issue had touched her and how she was motivated to do something about the injustice.
With the midterm elections coming up on Tuesday and all the concern in the media about lack of voter turn out, her comment also reminded me of the importance of setting aside time in our very, very busy lives to have a voice, take a stand, continue to believe and have hope that we can effect change - no matter what you think that change is. There is often the feeling that we cannot change anything or that our vote means nothing. We may feel disappointed or let down by our leaders (left, right and center), and be tempted not to participate out of frustration, anger or disgust. Get over it.
If you think there is no reason to forget about the sink piled high with dishes, the report due at work, the PTA meeting you promised you'd attend, watch this clip outlining the stance of some of the candidates and then decide if your vote matters or not: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk1i7B1kmw4&feature=related
Tuesday could be one of the most important elections in the 21st century. Vote.
P.S. - if you want a good laugh with a message, check out this video from moveon.org:
http://www.wikio.com/video/moveon-org-back-future-campaign-ad-4399303
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