Posted
by Chris Tackett
November 5, 2008 at 12:35 p.m.
On Forcing Oneself From History
In my [earlier piece today][1], I compile some of the bitter and negative responses I've seen from my friends on Facebook following Obama being elected President. While I certainly am thrilled and incredibly relieved by the results of the election - more so than I could attempt to put into words - I remain fascinated by the way some people I know and call friends are expressing themselves like this. It's sad for me, to be honest. I'm not sad because they aren't progressive. Or because they voted for McCain. I am sad because I see their negativity as contrived. I see their bitterness as a choice. And I find that to be a real shame. What I mean by this is that here we are, living history as it is happening, in the midst of what will surely be remembered as one of the most important and wonderful things to happen in our history - the election of a partially black American President in what is surely the largest turnout of voters in our modern history, the most democratic (small d) election we've seen in our lives in what is most overwhelming win for a President in years - which is to say the most unified our country has been in years....and these people, who I enjoy and call friends are missing out on it. And they don't have to be. I don't mean to say that you have to be glad that Obama will enact the policies you oppose or that you're happy McCain lost so Obama could win. I'm not saying that at all. But what I am saying is that it is a shame that these people have chosen to cling to their negativity in a time of such national and global positivity. They are relegating themselves by their own will to the outskirts of history, while millions of people are celebrating as one the dawning of a new era of hope and positivity. Sorry if that's all too "new agey" sounding. It's not my beat. But I just can't help but look and marvel at the fact that these people are going to miss out on this moment. In contrast with those choosing the path of negativity, I have other friends that while they do not support Obama, are able to look at this moment and appreciate it. They are not doing what the people in my earlier post are doing and locking themselves out of the moment, ruining their chance to admire and enjoy these historic times. I'm not surprised that not everyone is thrilled. Of course, I know many are not. But at a time when I feel like the world is enjoying a party, with people from all walks of life and political persuasions, it just remains quite sad for me to see people I care about choosing to take such a different, and in my opinion wrong, view of the moment. But enough of all that. Here's to the dawning of a new post-racial, perhaps post-partisan age. Cheers. [1]: http://www.lawrence.com/blogs/makes_sense_me/2008/nov/05/election_reactions/
Comments
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Zaff (anonymous) says…
Lets go ahead and make that TWO negative and complaining posts, just after this "historical" victory. Lets makes that TWO posts complaining about his "ignorant" Arkansas friendsLets make that TWO more examples of Tackett talking down to people and thus angering him more and turning them away from politics/ObamaFor someone like Tackett to all of a sudden lecture us on negativity is laughable at best. Now that Obama has won, he is the shining light of hope and positive vibes? riiiiiiiigggghhhhhhtttt. He has had two chances to write some inspiring words about what this victory means to our generation, what this victory means for the world and all that good stuff. And all we get is two, cheap shot posts about his "friends" in Arkansas. Now everyone knows how we were treated over his brief stay in Arkansas. I happen to be able to seperate crazy internet Tackett with normal, cool Tackett but most people can not and have every right to take offense to this garbage. I must admit it is getting harder and harder to do so.Here San Francisco, he is all yours.PS- I voted for Obama.
El_Borak (Bill Hoyt) says…
"He has had two chances to write some inspiring words about what this victory means to our generation, what this victory means for the world and all that good stuff."In all fairness to Chris, if it's one thing the world does not lack, it's inspiring words about what this victory means to our generation... and as one who is probably among the negative (or at least was deemed to be by commenters in the first post), I don't think it's cheap at all. I just think it lacks perspective.So let's try this for perspective: Let's say Chris is a hard-core opponent of the Iraq war; for him it trumps all other issues. Let's imagine that he believes that getting out, soon, is the only reasonable course of action and that if we fail to leave, very very bad things will occur. That's a reasonable position and one that many reasonable people hold.Now let's say that instead of Obama, the new Democrat elected President was Joe Lieberman. Would Chris be as surprised that people who believed that Iraq MUST be solved do not share others' excitement about the fact that we have our first Jewish president? And would he understand that their lack of excitement - their loud, repetitive lack of excitement - has nothing to do with either religion or a desire to sit history out?
OnShakedown (Chris Tackett) says…
El_B, good point. i think the comparison lacks a bit bc of the fact the race issue crosses religious lines and matters to people that don't have opinions on religion, but i see your point. i would not be pleased w/ a Lieberman win, though i would be astonished for a Jewish president to be elected and would take solace in the fact we'd done so. unforch, i think we're still far from that point as a nation.but all in all, i lack(ed) proper perspective myself. i shouldn't be too surprised by some negativity. i guess i just prefer the tone and message mccain had in his concession speech to those taking a more negative approach. zaff, as we've chatted this morning, you know this is killing me to have offended folks. and as always, i greatly appreciate your perspective and wrist slapping when i fuck up. that's one of many reasons you're such a great friend. thanks for always making me rethink my message and approach.
El_Borak (Bill Hoyt) says…
"unforch, i think we're still far from that point as a nation."I think you give the nation too little credit, my friend.
DOTDOT (anonymous) says…
"They are relegating themselves by their own will to the outskirts of history, while millions of people are celebrating as one the dawning of a new era of hope and positivity."Yaaahh. Just like 8 and 4 years ago when I "relegated myself to the outskirts of history" while millions of people were celebrating as one the dawning of a new era of family values.The first (oops, only) Catholic president's house is still referred to - by otherwise intelligent people - as "camelot" despite the revelations as to what a sick bastard he was. Unless the next Catholic president publicly disavows his faith (Kennedy's ploy won't work again; the bishops will be prepared next time), he will be a Democrat's nightmare.The early scramble this election cycle could have easily yielded the first woman, jew, mormon, or black president. In every case, the demographics exciting the turnout would have also yielded their particular untintended consequences. (See minority vote v. prop 8 in California).The real danger is that these "firsts" are as irrelavent to the presidency as "Family Values" or "Hope and Change" or other silly reductions such as Republicans hate poor people or Democrats are commies. Getting lost in the emotions manipulated by either extreme is an abdication of responsibility as a citizen, and puts you in the same class as your ignorant Arkansas friends. (Aww come on guys, take a joke).The point is, we are a nation of many. For every ideal realized there is another forsaken. For every moral outrage resolved there is another raised. That is, and will continue to be, the core of our greatness as a nation.
DOTDOT (anonymous) says…
See? By ignoring my comment you are in danger of, by your own will, relegating yourself to the outskirts of history.
El_Borak (Bill Hoyt) says…
Sorry, I was momentarily stunned by your preposterous denial that you are the core of our greatness as a nation.
DOTDOT (anonymous) says…
All my denials are preposterous. I'll wager it was that peek up my outskirt you found (momentarily) stunning.Thanks, I guess.