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Sep

11

Reason #55 to VOTE FOR Obama/Biden


Because an Obama/Biden administration can be expected to bring in an unprecedented level of diversity  – more closely approximating the demographics of our country – into the thousands of roles that need to be filled in any administration.

Now – I’ve not always been thrilled with the number of women in Obama’s closest circle, and I’ve read that not all POC (people of color) feel that Obama is necessarily taking advantage of his visibility.  And, in truth, I think it’s wise to not overwhelm a country that struggles with change all the while believing, in earnest I think, that they really do want change, with a lot of change. Change is really hard.  Just look at how confused the McCain/Palin campaign is about what “change” means.  For them, it seems to be one of those words, the more you say it, the less it even sounds like anything anymore.

In fact, it appears that many people don’t want diversity at all – some people don’t even want to tolerate diversity.  They want everything to be like it’s always been, and everyone to be just like them, about everything.

I confess – I have a very difficult time understanding that beyond the intellectual level.  Maybe it’s organic – I don’t know.  But don’t species die out if they don’t adapt? And we know our world changes around us.

When we can’t control that change, it can be very stressful.  I understand that. And people can feel themselves wanting to get control and maybe undo the change, turn back the clock – thinking that it would be easier, more pleasant and better to do so.  Because it seems we’re naturally afraid of the unknown.  Why some people fear the unknown and others don’t, I don’t know a whole lot about that – because while I fear some things I don’t know (like Sarah Palin), that’s definitely not true about everything or everyone.

Anyway – when I saw that only 2% of all the GOP delegates were African-American, that made me sad and angry.  All Americans should be represented by people attaining roles in the federal government – because that is, to me, part of what democracy means.  And I bet that’s part of what it means to all Americans who vote, not just the 98% non-African-American GOP delegates. (USA Today said that the GOP says that they had a total of 13% minorities as delegates at the convention this year, down from 17% in 2004 and they don’t provide a breakdown – that still leaves 87% white people – nearly 9 out of 10; minority groups in the U.S.A. comprise more than 34% of the population, according to 2007 numbers)

I rejected applying to Brandeis College because it was too Jewish.  I rejected buying a home in Beachwood also because it felt too homogenous to me.  This isn’t something new or chic for me.  I like different – different is good.  And I like seeing it reflected around me – on this blog – and in my government.  I believe the Obama/Biden ticket will meet this hope of mine, and certainly far better than their opponents could ever manage.

On November 4, vote for Obama/Biden.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:12 am September 11th, 2008 in 57ReasonsObamaBiden, Barack Obama, Civil Rights, Government, Politics, Race, Voting, WH2008 

Comments

6 Responses to “Reason #55 to VOTE FOR Obama/Biden”

  1. 1 OCKerouac on September 11th, 2008 11:38 am

    I have no lofty magic insight. Just wanted to let you know you are 100% correct…

    Thanks!

  2. 2 Wendy on September 11th, 2008 12:51 pm

    Couldn’t agree more, Jill. Thanks!

  3. 3 Anyone else sick of giving Palin attention? « Spin the Truth on September 11th, 2008 1:37 pm

    [...] Miller Zimon from Writes Like She Talks is posting a reason to vote for Obama and Biden every single day between now and the [...]

  4. 4 Daniel Jack Williamson on September 12th, 2008 11:00 am

    Diversity? Are you kidding? George W. Bush has the most diverse cabinet in history. John McCain has promised to make it even more diverse by promising to pick the best people for his administration even if they aren’t from the Republican Party.

  5. 5 Reason #39 to vote for Obama/Biden | Writes Like She Talks on September 27th, 2008 9:39 am

    [...] Reason #55 to VOTE FOR Obama/Biden [...]

  6. 6 Reason #34 to vote for Obama/Biden | Writes Like She Talks on October 2nd, 2008 9:57 am

    [...] Reason #55 to VOTE FOR Obama/Biden [...]

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