Times Have Changed

There was a time in this country that a serious contender was unheard of, if that contender were a woman or an African American. That was a generation ago. 15 months ago.

Oregon and Kentucky tonight voted for just those contenders. It is important to not lose sight of the breakthroughs and the progress that has been achieved. School children see an equal America. They see the possibility of every American having a chance at becoming President. Little African American children and Female children  of all races see that they too can vie for the most powerful position in the world.

Those of us who are boomers understand the idiosyncrasies of elections and realize what is at stake. While the children, our future ,see another America. One of Hope. They see an America full of possibilities.

School age girls now see that the White House is a viable possibility and know that tenacity, determination and a never give up spirit can get them there. Without the barrier of being relegated to a prescribed role.

That is a Success in and of itself.

A black child can see that his or her skin will not hinder them for any career including the Presidency. There was a time that black children could not even have conceived of this.

In that there is Victory.

Whomever is the democratic nominee, both have broken barriers, raised the bar and been taken seriously despite the generational attempts at marginalization. There is true change.

Congratulations to Hillary Clinton and to Barrack Obama, whatever the intent, the effect will be a confidence instilled in our young and a chance for all to participate in the political process. It is welcomed and long overdue.

A hope and an assuredness that will hold them in good stead when adversity is thrown in their path.  As a result of this primary, the next generation will believe the possibilities are endless. There was a time that although it was paid lip service to, it was simply not true. We the People, In order to form a more perfect union means something now to all, as it states, not just those who were lucky enough to be  born male and European American .

As this election goes forward, it will without a doubt become nastier and uglier,that is a given, but pausing for a moment on the eve of the General Election , let’s not overlook the huge historical significance of what has taken place.

Ceilings and barriers have been broken. Gender didn’t trump race. Race didn’t trump gender. Race and gender trumped the old boy network, at least tonight and in the minds of those who are our future. Like it or not, change has already occurred.

Men are voting for a Woman.

European Americans are voting for an African American.

That is momentous.

Now it means something to say

“Only in America”.