Thursday, May 10, 2012

After the Election


Alas, the hateful Amendment One to the North Carolina Constitution passed, defining marriage as between one man and one woman, and denying the validity of ANY civil union, gay or straight.

I've always had the greatest affection for the people of my adopted home, but when I went to town today, I looked at people differently, wondering how they'd voted, wondering what it will take to overcome prejudice, fear, and misinformation.

I'll have more to say on the subject. But for now, I'm choosing to take the sight of these green plants, growing out of bricks, as a sign . . .    
 
 
from the book of Job, Chapter 14 --

 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, 
that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch 
thereof will not cease.
 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth,
 and the stock thereof die in the ground;
 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, 
and bring forth boughs like a plant.
 









 
















 
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24 comments:

Inger said...

Our little town is very conservative too -- even educated people hate the president and love their guns. Since it is an election year, I have felt this more and feel like a complete outsider, except for here at home. Your quote will help. And what the president said about his daughters thinking that it is perfectly normal for friends of theirs to have same sex parents. It gives one hope for the future.

Ms. A said...

That's a neat photo!

I fail to understand why two people wanting to be in a committed, legal union/marriage, or whatever anyone wants to call it, needs to be a matter to vote on in the first place.

Thérèse said...

It looks like a lot of things are moving backwards these days...

katy gilmore said...

I was so proud of president Obama today! Maybe his words will soften the thought of your state's harsh vote. You were patient with your reader. Asheville sounds a great place.

Martin said...

Desperate politicians will always trade on fear and ignorance. It's a shame that there's still so much of it about in the 21st century.

Margie’s daughter Leiny said...

Morning Vicki, I stand up for equality, Big hugs, Margie.

Amy said...

As a childless-by-choice woman who is married, I find a great deal of kinship with the gay marriage equality movement.

Basically people who are against it are saying the same thing to both groups of us: that any union which does not bear children is not valid.

This is the reason I left the Catholic Church - because I was judged for not having children, as though my entire value was based on that.

I don't give Obama any credit for his speech yesterday - he didn't advocate any real change and it won't hurt him politically.

Brian Miller said...

you know....the tree in the kinda odd place...it def shows how life can spring up when you least expect it...we are such a backwards people....

Friko said...

There is much to admire about the US but there is also much that makes me shake my head.

How brave of Obama to come out in favour!

I just caught up on the correspondence of your last post. How measured your response!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

We no longer qualify to vote here, but the defining "any civil union" was a bit of a surprise to me. The turnout was the big surprise. I had no idea....
Sam

KarenB said...

It hurts my heart to have so many people be hateful and hurtful toward others.

Based on my teen-age kids response, this kind of attitude will be dying out, but it can't happen too soon for me.

Elora said...

Good for you, Vicki, for choosing to comment and invite comment on this topic..."civil" dialogue is what is needed on this and so many other subjects. We've lost the art of states(wo)manship, gentle discussion (we only shout, now...) and listening....Politics screams nowadays...and pushing xenophobia, guns, fear, suppression. Oh my...the list goes on. Again, thank you for this threshhold of understanding, this open doorway where we can go inside and really take a look at where we are and where we could be.

Elora

Vicki Lane said...

That's exactly it, Ms. A. But this is what happens when religion and politics get intertwined.

I'm glad Obama finally said something -- I wish he'd said it a lot earlier. I still like and support him but feel like he's wasted time in trying to conciliate the right wing. In another time, it might have worked. But the Republicans of today are, for the most part, unwilling to compromise on anything.

Frances said...

Vicki, I very much enjoyed reading this post and its immediate predecessor, and all the comments, too.

In our country and in other parts of the world there seems to less and less civil dialogue, about many issues.

President Obama's choice to reveal his latest evolution in an "exclusive interview" with an invited television journalist seemed a bit weak to me. Nonetheless, I do hope that his words will have a positive effect.

xo

Ellis Vidler said...

I'm very happy that the president spoke out as he did, but Joe Biden deserves a lot of credit for his honest answers and setting this in motion. I also live in a conservative, frequently intolerant area where people shout about their "values" while excluding anyone who's different in any way. But I'm fortunate to have found a number of thinking, caring friends in their midst.

Darla said...

It is a sadness when we take a step (or several) backwards as a society. Yet, a wondrous 'sign' to keep us ever optimistic, Vicki. I believe that when the 'old guard' is gone, the younger generations *will* create a better community-culture (as opposed to an over-culture).

NCmountainwoman said...

The photographs of the building remind me of my favorite childhood book, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." (Actually I still read it again now and then.)

I also view people (especially our town leaders) differently. Only I don't have to wonder...almost all of them urged a "yes" vote in a two-page ad in our local paper.

Byron Ballard said...

I am going to tackle this in my blog tomorrow and am grateful for your easing into this. I feel like a woman with a foot in different worlds and wondering how we begin to respect without agreeing, to trust in a process that seems untrustworthy. And yet the land is green and lush, and there are green apples on the trees. I hesitate to disagree with the famous but hope is not only the thing with wings. It is also the thing with green fruits.

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

Vicki, this is lovely - thank you. I, like many others, share your feelings of outrage, hurt, and anger. I'm tired, oh so tired, of carrying around these feelings. Is there a light? ARE we going to see our government return to sanity? Questions like these jump around in my head every day. I look forward to your next words - always do.
In the meantime, I'm sending hugs.
Kaye

Beth said...

I really like that photo, Vicki.

Yes, I, too, was disappointed (but not surprised) by the outcome. I was very sad to see so many folks who call themselves Christians support such a hateful viewpoint. I wonder sometimes if they've really, really READ the words of Jesus. He talked constantly about love and tolerance.

JJM said...

A most elegant response to a sad event, Vicki. Thank you. --Mario

Folkways Note Book said...

this country is in trouble -- barbara

Vicki Lane said...

Thanks for all the nice responses. I do love civil discourse.

Sue P said...

Maybe I'm just becoming cynical as I age, but I think ANYONE will say ANYTHING to get a vote. And unfortunately, we, as a people, tend to lean toward whoever has the best story at the last minute. I just wish that we could follow our hearts and principles and the politicians would do the same. Truth - anyone remember it?