by joannameng
Wow. I can barely believe the news. Even if I don’t agree with all of Obama’s politics all of the time, I am elated and proud that we were able to get this far.
I’m amazed that we will have a president who comes from a mixed race family. Someone who is used to people being confused by his name and family tree. Someone who knows what it’s like to be asked constantly, “What are you?” Someone who is even related to an Ng (Barack’s sister is Maya Soetero-Ng), which means he’s almost maybe practically related to me. Someone who has spent time with his family in Indonesia and Kenya. Someone who bothered to mention the words “gay” and “Asian” and “Native American” in his acceptance speech. I feel a remarkable sense of validation.
But I am still struggling to understand why 52 percent of California voted for Prop 8. Or why the proponents of Prop 8 put so much force behind their campaign in the first place. Who in their right mind is so fired up to deny other people rights that they already have? Where do you even get the energy to be so against something that doesn’t even negatively affect you—or anyone—at all?
California’s Prop 8, as well as the preemptive banning of same-sex marriage in Arizona and Florida and the loss of adoption rights in Arkansas, have me really angry and sad and confused about our country this morning. But it gives me consolation to know that we just elected a man who was firmly against Prop 8 and who occasionally takes the time to mention LBGT rights. There’s at least a chance.
