A white guy from Texas, who remembers what segregation was really all about, celebrates the casting off of those mind-forg'd manacles represented by the election of a black president. Especially if you are not old enough to remember what segregation was really all about, read this.
It was good to find the link in the comments at Althouse, too quiet to be drowned out by the chorus of sneers, loud as spring frogs.
Thanks for pointing it out. I've been avoiding the chorus in the comment threads at the Althouse.
Posted by: Peter Hoh | January 20, 2009 at 02:49 AM
It's depressing to watch people competing to be meaner than thou. And the childishness of either adulating Obama/despising Palin or adulating Palin/despising Obama . . . it's so symmetrically querulous.
At this particular moment those voices sound shrill and dwindling. Though some say there's no such thing as bipartisanship, some others are making a new sound. It's like when music changes.
Posted by: amba | January 20, 2009 at 03:10 AM
I was born in 1960 in a small southern river town- Selma, Alabama. You may have heard of it. It became (in)famous as a place where dogs and bullwhips were used on black people trying to register to vote. Today we will inaugurate as president a man that would not have been allowed to even register to vote in the time and place I was born. Regardless of party affiliation the simple fact that this was possible says wonderful things about us as Americans. Take a moment to celebrate that fact whether you are Republican, Democrat or Independent. There will be plenty of time tomorrow to get back to partisan fighting.
Posted by: Gran | January 20, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Thank you, Gran.
Posted by: amba | January 20, 2009 at 05:11 PM
I noticed it (as you no doubt noticed). Could tell tales of my own, though 18 years younger (which is what I think some people either don't understand or don't remember) and without growing up in the South or Southwest (though with ties to a place that had quite the virulent, notable history itself, however forgotten).
Anyway, it pinged. Deep.
Don't know if I'll ever share what I'm talking about online.
The important thing is that I shared them with my son. It's all I can do.
Posted by: reader_iam | January 20, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Yes, your noticing it guided me to notice it.
Posted by: amba | January 20, 2009 at 10:25 PM