I have always been an optimist. I am known for smiling, not always, but very often. I truly believe that it is part of my innate nature to be happy and to hope. Many people have described me as ‘idealistic,’ ‘unrealistic,’ and as ‘caring too much.’ They may have meant these as cut-downs, but I took them as compliments.
I believe that it is important for us (human beings) to hope. We not only face great personal obstacles, but we also face some of the greatest obstacles known to the human race. If we spent any amount of time thinking about such things, we would have good reason to be pessimistic and doubtful; however, despite these things, I continue to hope and to work toward building a better future.
I have to admit, even for the optimist that I am, I was feeling completely disgusted with the last eight years in this country. In fact, I am angry and appalled. I cannot complain too much, as I helped to put W. Bush into the position he is in, and that is a decision I will always regret. Although I take a degree of responsibility for my small part in this situation, I also know that I was not the only one to carry the burden of that decision; that decision was made in unison by many others, many of which did not have the best intentions at heart for our country. So, I guess you could say that I am excited and happy that Barack Obama is our next President of the United States of America.
For me, Obama’s campaign has meant many personal losses. I have lost friends who don’t agree with me that it is o.k. to be Catholic and still vote for Barack Obama; these same friends thought I was going to hell (I am not joking about that) if I did vote for Barack Obama. It has also caused rifts in my family, as the majority of my family members are super-conservative Catholics who mainly talk about what they believe, but they don’t know the details of why they believe it. They also believe that Catholic Social Teaching consists entirely of one issue…abortion. What they do not know (or what they know but choose to ignore) is that Catholic Social Teaching encompasses ALL pro-life issues (not just abortion), AND it encompasses social justice issues. This situation inevitably leads to some pretty hairy conversations about the election and about having an African American in the White House.
I have tried to take it all with a grain of salt and remind myself that, ‘This, too, shall pass.’ My sisters, however, may not have fared as well because they live near my family and have to attend family functions on a regular basis (anyone who knows me knows that my family is SERIOUS about celebrating birthdays individually for everyone in the family; that means we see each other VERY often). One of my extended family members will inevitably say something that is very ignorant and/or close-minded, and an argument inevitably ensues. I, on the other hand, live in Texas, so by reason of the long journey to Oklahoma that would be required of me, I am exempt from that responsibility, which I think makes it easier for me to take it all with a grain of salt.
Despite all of this, however, I remain optimistic and hopeful. No, I don’t see Barack as the savior of our country; I do see him as a leader who builds consensus and who truly has the common good at heart in all of the decisions he makes. He will not be perfect, and I am sure that there will be things that he does with which I do not agree; however, I know my voice will be heard and considered before every decision is made. That is far more than I can say for W.
So when I look at the fact that an African American family will be living in the White House, my faith in the judgment of the people in this country is restored; my faith in hope endures.
