Print ArticleI don´t know about your house, but at mine all important discussions take place in the kitchen. It seems to be the place where people feel most comfortable. I have always believed it had to do with the comforting smell of food and the warmth that kitchens naturally bring.
We can have very deep discussions in my kitchen that never seem to escalate into anything other then friends sharing thoughts about all topics, with one another.
I like this aspect of my life very much.
Most recently my kitchen has been a buzz about the 2008 presidential campaign. I am sure, my friends and I are not alone in our discussions.
What makes these discussions particular interesting and the aspect I am sharing with you – to include in your kitchen discussions, is a most recent email blast that has been going around. There is a story about a 70 year old black male having a discussion with his same aged white male friend. The white male asked his friend "Are you voting for Barack Obama just because he's black?" The email goes onto say the black male answers, "Are you not voting for him because he's black? "
The email continues with the following dialogue from the black male to his white male friend; why can't I vote for him just cause he's black? Hell in this country men are pulled over everyday just cause their black, passed over for promotions just cause their black, considered to be criminals just cause their black, but you don't seem to have a problem with that This country was built with the sweat and whip off the slaves back, and now a descendent of those same slaves has a chance to lead the same country where we wasn't even considered to be people. Where we weren't allowed to be educated, drink from the same water fountains, eat in the same restaurants, or even vote, so you damn right I'm going to vote for him! But not just because he is black; but because he is hope, he is change, and he now allows me to understand when my grandson says he wants to be president when he grows up, it is not a fairy tale but a short term goal. Because he sees, understand, and knows, he can achieve, withstand, and do anything, just because he's black!"
Hence began our discussion while we prepared food for our little back yard barbeque. I asked if anyone had seen the email My friend Allison said yes and "I´m not voting for him just because he's black, actually, I'm voting for him because he's worldly, he's smart, he's a broad thinker, he has values and ideals, he acts like a leader I'd not be embarrassed to have, he has experience on the streets and not just in senate chambers, he's funny and a great writer. If you want to KNOW him, read his book(s). Because Allison had spoken with such passion, the kitchen became quite. My black girl friends do not quite know how to respond to the feisty first generation American born Irish lass that stood before them. It was not because they had not seen Ally fired up before, but they had not seen her so demanding before. Then PK (the Mormon amongst our little group) said, "Geez Ally I thought for sure you were for Hillary all the way."
After the laughter stopped. I felt it important to offer an explanation of the email. The 10 women in my kitchen and I have been friends for more than 30 years. We are of varying ages, ethnicities, nationalities, weights and heights. Being the reputed black activists of the group – or so they have always teased me, I felt it important to keep our lines of communication open and clear, as we embark on what is truly going to be a continuation of the historical times we have all lived within.
I started slowly; I think you missed the point of the writer of this little paragraphs message. They are saying why it is wrong for me, as a black person, to vote for him, just because he is black, why is that such a sensitive topic and why is it perceived to be such a big deal. When, in fact, I as a black person, have spent my entire life being wronged, jailed, laughed at, humiliated, murdered or just simple mis-understood - for those very same reasons "just because I am black." So from many different perspectives, it seems only fitting in this "just because I am black" world, the writer is telling us why we would not vote that way.... Just because I am black, has been how others have reacted to us and how we have reacted to others all of our lives.
I have read Mr. Obama´s books, and found him and his life incredible. I actually think he epitomizes America -A proud son of a African Man, married to a American Women - during the height of the second Civil War (I always refer to the civil rights movement as a civil revolution - or civil war, it was). The very ideals being fought about, people loosing their lives about - he was cultivating albeit painfully. He is a product of those 14 years of bitter hatefulness, he is the prime perfect example of all that America can be, and he is who we really are to our core, a melting pot of races and cultures, trying to find our way. With no shame, no apologizes, just getting it done the best way we can - the old "doing what I can, with what I got." Americana – Yankee know how - at its finest.
I say who better to stand before us and remind us, we are Americans - first and foremost, then the young Senator that had to accept some harsh realities for himself - and at such a young age. I think it is fair, honest and poetic justice, for those 14 years that changed not just this country but, the world for the child born in its most angst, into it most disgust – to lead us toward the change, we all dreamed of 40- 45 years ago.
Remember civil rights was not a word used any where on this planet - before it was used and practiced right here. Those short 14 years of revolutionary evolution – during the second American Civil War.
I think it is time we all started to have some open and honest dialogue with ourselves – in our own kitchens, just what kind of America are we ready for? Have we grown enough to be the complete land of the free home of the brave? Or are we willing to continue to stand behind our generational fears, biases and prejudices – at the cost of losing a country that we all love so much.
Why don´t you start the conversation with your friends next time and let me know the perspective from your circle of friends. As you all sit, eat, cook in the kitchen, here is a little something for you to talk about.
We can have very deep discussions in my kitchen that never seem to escalate into anything other then friends sharing thoughts about all topics, with one another.
I like this aspect of my life very much.
Most recently my kitchen has been a buzz about the 2008 presidential campaign. I am sure, my friends and I are not alone in our discussions.
What makes these discussions particular interesting and the aspect I am sharing with you – to include in your kitchen discussions, is a most recent email blast that has been going around. There is a story about a 70 year old black male having a discussion with his same aged white male friend. The white male asked his friend "Are you voting for Barack Obama just because he's black?" The email goes onto say the black male answers, "Are you not voting for him because he's black? "
The email continues with the following dialogue from the black male to his white male friend; why can't I vote for him just cause he's black? Hell in this country men are pulled over everyday just cause their black, passed over for promotions just cause their black, considered to be criminals just cause their black, but you don't seem to have a problem with that This country was built with the sweat and whip off the slaves back, and now a descendent of those same slaves has a chance to lead the same country where we wasn't even considered to be people. Where we weren't allowed to be educated, drink from the same water fountains, eat in the same restaurants, or even vote, so you damn right I'm going to vote for him! But not just because he is black; but because he is hope, he is change, and he now allows me to understand when my grandson says he wants to be president when he grows up, it is not a fairy tale but a short term goal. Because he sees, understand, and knows, he can achieve, withstand, and do anything, just because he's black!"
Hence began our discussion while we prepared food for our little back yard barbeque. I asked if anyone had seen the email My friend Allison said yes and "I´m not voting for him just because he's black, actually, I'm voting for him because he's worldly, he's smart, he's a broad thinker, he has values and ideals, he acts like a leader I'd not be embarrassed to have, he has experience on the streets and not just in senate chambers, he's funny and a great writer. If you want to KNOW him, read his book(s). Because Allison had spoken with such passion, the kitchen became quite. My black girl friends do not quite know how to respond to the feisty first generation American born Irish lass that stood before them. It was not because they had not seen Ally fired up before, but they had not seen her so demanding before. Then PK (the Mormon amongst our little group) said, "Geez Ally I thought for sure you were for Hillary all the way."
After the laughter stopped. I felt it important to offer an explanation of the email. The 10 women in my kitchen and I have been friends for more than 30 years. We are of varying ages, ethnicities, nationalities, weights and heights. Being the reputed black activists of the group – or so they have always teased me, I felt it important to keep our lines of communication open and clear, as we embark on what is truly going to be a continuation of the historical times we have all lived within.
I started slowly; I think you missed the point of the writer of this little paragraphs message. They are saying why it is wrong for me, as a black person, to vote for him, just because he is black, why is that such a sensitive topic and why is it perceived to be such a big deal. When, in fact, I as a black person, have spent my entire life being wronged, jailed, laughed at, humiliated, murdered or just simple mis-understood - for those very same reasons "just because I am black." So from many different perspectives, it seems only fitting in this "just because I am black" world, the writer is telling us why we would not vote that way.... Just because I am black, has been how others have reacted to us and how we have reacted to others all of our lives.
I have read Mr. Obama´s books, and found him and his life incredible. I actually think he epitomizes America -A proud son of a African Man, married to a American Women - during the height of the second Civil War (I always refer to the civil rights movement as a civil revolution - or civil war, it was). The very ideals being fought about, people loosing their lives about - he was cultivating albeit painfully. He is a product of those 14 years of bitter hatefulness, he is the prime perfect example of all that America can be, and he is who we really are to our core, a melting pot of races and cultures, trying to find our way. With no shame, no apologizes, just getting it done the best way we can - the old "doing what I can, with what I got." Americana – Yankee know how - at its finest.
I say who better to stand before us and remind us, we are Americans - first and foremost, then the young Senator that had to accept some harsh realities for himself - and at such a young age. I think it is fair, honest and poetic justice, for those 14 years that changed not just this country but, the world for the child born in its most angst, into it most disgust – to lead us toward the change, we all dreamed of 40- 45 years ago.
Remember civil rights was not a word used any where on this planet - before it was used and practiced right here. Those short 14 years of revolutionary evolution – during the second American Civil War.
I think it is time we all started to have some open and honest dialogue with ourselves – in our own kitchens, just what kind of America are we ready for? Have we grown enough to be the complete land of the free home of the brave? Or are we willing to continue to stand behind our generational fears, biases and prejudices – at the cost of losing a country that we all love so much.
Why don´t you start the conversation with your friends next time and let me know the perspective from your circle of friends. As you all sit, eat, cook in the kitchen, here is a little something for you to talk about.
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