Politics

Today We Vote

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

I still remember the first time I voted–it was 1992 and my vote went to Bill Clinton.  I remember wearing my “I voted” sticker with such pride.  That sticker symbolized every woman who couldn’t vote prior to 1920 and every black person who was prevented from voting (even after the 15th amendment was ratified in 1870–as well all know how accepting the white citizens were at that time–but that’s another post). That is has yet been 100 years since women were allowed to vote is  such a sobering thought.  It makes that I can vote so much more important.  It honors those who fought for justice, equality and freedom.

Justice, Equality and Freedom.  These ideas are what guide who I cast my ballot for.

I think forward when I vote.  Forward to the direction that the country will move.

I am proud to say that I am a liberal and a Democrat.

I am proud to say that I think women should have the right to chose.

I am proud to say that I think it should be up to a woman if she uses birth control or not.

I am proud to say that I support those who have more, helping more.

I am proud to say that people should be able to marry whomever they would like–regardless of gender.

I am proud to say that we should spend more money on education and those less fortunate.

I am proud to say that I cast my vote for someone who represents all people–not just people who agree with him.

I understand that these same ideas might look different to someone else.  That is the beauty of our country–we don’t have to agree and we know that there are many who believe something different that us.  Some of my closest friends have diametrically different political views that I do.  We each get to cast our own ballot.

Today, I took Noah with me to vote.  I think it is important for him to begin to understand the politics and procedures of our democracy.  We had a great conversation about voting and what it means.  We talked about how blacks and women used to not be allowed to vote and for some of the reasoning behind that.  We talked about how the person we vote for doesn’t always win, but that we are lucky enough to live in a country that has peaceful election and peaceful transitions of power.

He took it all in.

We got our ballot and sat down to vote.  He asked why there were dividers between everyone.

“So that you can vote for whoever you want and no one knows who you voted for.”

“So, if you vote for someone different no one fights.”

“Yep, so no one fights.”

I then let him fill out my ballot.

 

I hope he always remember this moment.  I know that I will always remember the day that I took my son to vote and the day he voted for the guy who stands for equality.  I am sorry we live in a time when equality and freedom are what we have to vote for.

These are just some of the reasons that I voted.  Why did you vote?

Whose America

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 1 Comment

I only watched a few minutes of Romney’s speech. Not because I didn’t want to, but I’m currently on a family vacation and was busy playing yatzee with my mom and son (that makes it sound like I’m super old and boring–but it was fun). So I re-watched some this am on C-Span. I am a social liberal and a democrat. But, I think it is important to hear from everyone. I think it is important to be a critical consumer and not just be ruled by my party affiliation, but by the facts/issues.

All of this is to really say, I started to listen to Mitt’s speech with an open-mind. That didn’t last long.

Four years ago, I know that many Americans felt a fresh excitement about the possibilities of a new president. That president was not the choice of our party but Americans always come together after elections. We are a good and generous people who are united by so much more than what divides us.

Really? This begs the question-what America is he talking about? America couldn’t be more divided. Does he not know about the Tea Party? Or the Birthers? I am 41 and pay pretty close attention to the rhetoric from both parties–but the rhetoric from the right had been anything but harmonious. the left isn’t innocent–but for the past 4-years the anti-Obama rhetoric has been atrocious.

When that hard fought election was over, when the yard signs came down and the television commercials finally came off the air, Americans were eager to go back to work, to live our lives the way Americans always have – optimistic and positive and confident in the future.

What America does he refer to? Certainly not the on where members of the military plot against their commander-in-chief. Where the president’s birth is constantly under scrutiny. Where the financial crisis, caused by Wall Street and de-regulation, is blamed on the current President. The rhetoric of the right has been anything but optimistic. The right has been nothing if not negative over the past four years. President Obama was certainly not given the benefit of any tiny bit of support from the right. There are too many examples of this and this isn’t what bothered me the most–it just reinforced that Romney is either out of touch or doesn’t understand what coming together means. Rubio commented on the amount of golf President Obama has played and actually called him a “bad President.” Yep we have totally come together.

That very optimism is uniquely American.

It is what brought us to America. We are a nation of immigrants. We are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the ones who wanted a better life, the driven ones, the ones who woke up at night hearing that voice telling them that life in that place called America could be better.

“What brought us to America”–really? Who? Oh yeah–wealthy white people. That’s right it’s the white people. This bothers me, not just as the mother of black children, but as an American who truly believes that ALL people are equal, not just those who look like those who rode on a boat, by choice, to America. What about those brought in the cargo holds of boats? Those who truly build much of America? What about those who aren’t rich?

This really really bothered me. Words mean something. What someone says is so important. I might be accused of reading between the lines or reading too much into these simple words. But I ask that you read these words carefully. These words clearly illustrate who matters to the GOP and it isn’t those who were brought to America in chains. It isn’t those who challenge the patriarchal structure in place. It isn’t those who demand true equality. He also threw the Cubans into this group (he’s hoping Rubio helps get him some of the Hispanic vote)–not the Mexicans. If you brave the oceans between Cuba and America to seek a better life–great, we welcome you. If you sneak across the border–tough shit, you are unwelcome and here to take our jobs and resources.

They came not just in pursuit of the riches of this world but for the richness of this life.

Freedom.

Freedom of religion.

Freedom to speak their mind.

Freedom to build a life.

And yes, freedom to build a business. With their own hands.

This is the essence of the American experience.

Freedom of religion? Yep. Especially, if you area Muslim. I’m sure they feel totally free. Yep. Freedom to build a life. Those with chronic illness like, Erin who the Affordable Care Act has helped, I’m sure feel free knowing Romney and the right want to take that away without hearing (or caring) about their stories, their realities. Freedom to build a life–so many African American child are relegated to failing urban education systems that ensures to keep their unemployment rate in double digits in our urban centers. Yep-Freedom.

So, I ask–What America does Romney and the GOP represent and live in? Because it isn’t in mine.

White Washed

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

Once again our upper chamber of congress will be an almost all white (mostly male) representation for the rich people of America.  This makes me so sad and angry.

In 2010 there were only four non-white senators–Roland Burris (black) two Asian-Americans from Hawaii (one seat is up for re-election this year) and Bob Menendez (Hispanic-American) from New Jersey.  When the new legislature is sworn in this coming January, there will be only two for sure minority members and none of those will be black/African-America.

What angers me even more is that in the history of the senate there have only be three popularly elected black senators.  THREE.  Six black senators have served–two of those in reconstruction Mississippi (they weren’t popularly elected), Roland Burris who was appointed and also not popularly elected.  Two of the senators who were elected, including now President Obama were to the same seat in Illinois and the remaining senator was elected in Massachusetts.

I know I shouldn’t be surprised.  This country is skewed and the power base has always been white, rich, protestant and male.  I never really gave it much thought before, but at times it hits me that our government is a republic and that those who represent us should represent us.  I can say that many of them represent me but starting Jan 2, 2011, none of them will represent my children or 13% of the population.  This just doesn’t seem right.  I look around the ivory (well UMSL isn’t quiet Ivory) tower of academia and notice that lack of diversity.  I am shocked at how white washed our world is.  I am angry and I wish there was something I could do about it.

I voted today.  I have confidence that our black congressional members will be re-elected (they aren’t representatives of my district).  I long for a government that truly represents the people they serve.  I don’t have any answers but I long and hope for a day where my kids and all minority kids have members of both houses of congress to look up to.  The House has made strides in diversity but the Senate has lagged sorely behind.

I will hold out hope that one day I can tell my kids “you can be a Senator” if you want.  Because right now–I’m pretty sure in most places they couldn’t.

It Really Is All About Politics

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 1 Comment

Public education is what I’m talking about today–I know…surprise, surprise.

In my current position as a charter school liaison–which means that I work with and oversee the charter schools that my university sponsors–I have a new appreciation and apprehension and repulsion at the politics that guide and determine what happens in education.  Politics rules it all–it really is less what you know than who you know.  Often all it takes is a call to chancellor from someone with political ties and then things happen.

My office is getting a new charter school proposal to review this week–the deadline for submission to the state is mid February.  It also take a long time to review a charter proposal and this one is going to be tricky because it is for a school that specializes in Autism–which is really topical right now–there are many laws, etc., that have to be met regardless.  I am irritated, as I hate having to do something.  This is one of those things that we are going to have work with and make sure happens regardless because of the political pressure that would be put upon us if we didn’t do it.  UGH!

Past, Present, Future

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 1 Comment

There is so much to say about today–inauguration day.  I have spent a great deal of time since before the election and then after thinking about how amazing this moment is for America and for my African American children.  What I have neglected to recognize for give much thought to are those of the last two generations whose sacrifices, suffering, and struggles have made it possible for Barak Obama to become the 44rd president of these united states.  It sees fitting that he is being sworn in on the bible of the man who is responsible for keeping us united.  I am not an Abe Lincoln fan–he was not the enlightened man history has made him out to be but a pragmatic man who saw he needed freed slaves to defeat the south. Okay, that is a entire different subject. 

I was watching GMA this morning and a few of the remaining Tuskegee Airmen were on.  These men broke down barriers that had long kept our society’s perception of African Americans low and somewhat degrading.  It wasn’t that long ago that blacks were not allowed to fight alongside whites, to be educated in the same school as whites, to eat at the same counter, to sit in the same section of the bus, etc.  Those who struggled through these times and fought to prove their humanity, intellect, and value have helped shape a world where we can sit here in our homes and watch a black man take the oath of the highest office in the land.  It moves me and hopes that this small step–because in the grand scheme of color equality it is small–helps to wash away some of the pain endured by those who made this path possible. 

I hope that we all celebrate this moment today and relish the emotion it will bring.  I want to soak up the momentous occasion and savor the history of it. 

I want us to remember that this historic moment is just that a moment and does not mark the end of racism and hate.  It is a signal that we are making progress but we just have to look at our Congress, Governor’s mansions, boardrooms, jails, colleges, and professional coaches–to name just a few instances–and see that there has been progress but it is not nearly enough.  We have to work harder as a country and do better.  We owe it to those who sacrifices, suffered and struggled for this moment and all of those that have yet to come.