In this hotly contested political race, it really seems to be any man's-- or woman's-- game. Hillary and Obama are pulling out all the stops to win the hearts of women-- conservative women in Iowa and African-American women in South Carolina. Mitt Romney and the meteorically rising Huckabee are making it clear that they are the "candidate of choice" for Christians. Mother Rodham and daughter Chelsea are making nice little "3 generations of women" appearances for Hillary. Oprah is preaching like a wannaba prophet with a scary Darth Vader-like quality that "Obaaaaama is 'the ooooone.'" Romney confesses that Jesus is the Savior. Huckabee can only attribute his success to the One who fed 5000 with 3 fish and 5 loaves.
Whoa, a revelation. I recently realized that they are all aiming their comments at me. A black woman. A Christian. A voter who listens and pays attention. They like me! They really like me! Okay, maybe not, but they need me! The second realization I had was this: We don't have to fit their mold. They need to fit ours. We don't have to sacrifice character for policy. We don't have to go along with foolishness that goes against beliefs we hold dear. Black people aren't limited to voting for Democrats. Christians aren't limited to voting for whatever Republican they think will beat Clinton. No more. Now, we just have to figure out what to do with our new freedom. We have to get the news out to "them." Let them know what WE want-- not what we will agree to. Hmm. I'm working on that. I can't get caught up in the attention... but it sure is nice...
