by hilzoy
(1) Sometime during the primaries, for no obvious reason, it occurred to me to reflect on the question: suppose I were a black parent: how would I handle the conversation with my child about whether or not she could be President? The idea that in America anyone can be President is so basic to our national mythology that, I imagined, the question would come up at some point; at any rate, I couldn't assume that it would not. What would I say? Would I try to explain to my child that while perhaps, in her lifetime, an African-American might become President, it didn't seem that likely at the moment? Would I lie? Or would I say that of course she could become President, even though I didn't believe it, on the grounds that I didn't know for a fact that it wasn't so, and that I should not blight her hopes without certain knowledge?
I didn't know what I would choose. But I hated the fact that these seemed to be the options. I hated it all the more because, as I said, the idea that in America anyone can become President is so basic, and so if I believed that neither I nor my child could ever become President, that thought would have to take the form: it is part of what America is that we think that anyone can become President, but it is not true for people who look like we do. We are exceptions. These ideals do not apply to us.
Of course, I knew all that before, but somehow the idea of trying to explain it to my child, to whom I ought to be able to say that the entire world was open to her if she worked hard and did right and had the talent, who I ought to try to prepare to face any danger and rise to any challenge, and whose heart I ought, above all, never ever to break -- it brought it home in a new way. I suppose this is better than the conversations of an earlier era -- the ones about why we couldn't just get a soda in the department store, or sit down in the bus, or do anything, ever, that might annoy some white person, not to mention the still earlier conversations about how her daddy had been sold and she wouldn't get to see him again -- but still.
No parent ever has to wonder how to have that conversation any more: whether to lie to his child or to take her dreams away before she's had a chance to try to realize them.
That is extraordinary.
(2) After eight years of assault on our Constitution, we have elected a President who teaches Constitutional law. I cannot express what this means to me.
(3) Ezra:
"The skill of an Obama administration has yet to be proven. The structure of our government will prove a more able opponent of change than John McCain. But for the first time in years, I have the basic sense that it's going to be okay. Not great, necessarily. And certainly not perfect. But okay. The country will be led by decent, competent people who fret over the right things and employ the tools of the state for recognizable ends. They may not fully succeed. But then, maybe they will. At the least, they will try. And if they fail in their most ambitious goals, maybe they will simply make things somewhat better. After the constant anxiety and uncertainty of the last eight years, maybe that's enough."
I think I might put the odds of actual goodness slightly higher than Ezra does. But the knowledge that we will at least have basic competence is an immense, almost inexpressible relief.
(4) I live in a rather sedate part of Baltimore. It's residential; you can find largeish streets if you walk four or five blocks, but it's nothing like a downtown commercial district.
I had just gotten home from watching the election returns with friends, and I was checking some results on my computer. Suddenly, I heard this huge cheer coming from all around me. It wasn't a crowd in the streets, or a visible celebration, though it sounded like one: as though there was a victory parade right outside my windows, on all sides. It was people in a bunch of townhouses reacting to the fact that the networks had called the race for Obama. Everyone was cheering. About fifteen minutes later, someone started shooting off fireworks. Horns were honking, people were cheering. It went on for at least an hour.
(5) I still can't really believe that Obama actually won. But I'm trying.
"No parent ever has to wonder how to have that conversation any more: whether to lie to his child or to take her dreams away before she's had a chance to try to realize them."
While Obama's victory would seem to settle the question of whether a black man can become president in our lifetimes, there's still some question of whether a woman can - or a Muslim, or a gay person, or any of myriad other groups. Sadly, I think the "maybe someday" conversation is still likely to occur in a variety of contexts for quite some time.
Posted by: Jeff Darcy | November 05, 2008 at 10:45 AM
We were cheering, too. My neighbors had a dinner party as they had in 2004. We ate and drank while watching the results come in. It was apparent at 10:45 that when the western state polls closed, Obama would go over 270. I did not figure that they would call it at 11:00 and five seconds but when they did, we erupted too. Better than New Years' Eve, better than the Phillies winning the World Series. We won. America won.
And my conservative friends/acquaintances are so bitter this morning. So sad for them...
Posted by: DrDave | November 05, 2008 at 10:46 AM
"No parent ever has to wonder how to have that conversation any more: whether to lie to his child or to take her dreams away before she's had a chance to try to realize them."
Unless that family is Arab, or Muslim, or atheist, or the child turns out to be gay.
Posted by: Adrian | November 05, 2008 at 10:50 AM
"No parent ever has to wonder how to have that conversation any more: whether to lie to his child or to take her dreams away before she's had a chance to try to realize them."
hilzoy, I respect you extremely, but obviously you are forgetting here the parents of gay children.
Posted by: hapax | November 05, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Posted by: Woodrow Jarvis "asim" Hill | November 05, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Hilzoy,
I'm very sorry that you did not truly believe in the American ideal that anyone can grow up to be President. The answer for the black parents is and has been "yes," as it is for the parents of girls, gay children, Muslims, hispanics, Arabs, Indians, and others. There are always a lot of ifs that go along with saying someone can be President, and more ifs for some than for others, but this election proves not only that the ideal is true now, but has been true at least since Obama was a child.
Posted by: G | November 05, 2008 at 11:02 AM
hapax: true. I did not mean to. (Actually, what I really meant was more like: 'no black parent ever has to...')
Ideally, no parent ever will have to have that conversation, but yeah, we're not there yet.
Posted by: hilzoy | November 05, 2008 at 11:02 AM
From the alarmingly prescient Onion:
Or, as a Welsh friend put it: it's so nice to know that in America any millionaire can be President.
But, on a more joyous note:
I went into my usual coffee shop for a latte at lunchtime, and the owner and a regular were happily talking about how wonderful it was - Obama won!
You guys would not believe how many people, all over the world, are going to bed happier tonight because of this.
Thank you all. (I am too tired tonight to lift a glass of wine in your honour, but I plan to do that at the weekend.)
Posted by: Jesurgislac | November 05, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Unless that family is Arab, or Muslim, or atheist, or the child turns out to be gay.
What're you talking about? Obama already ran as a gay Arab Marxist/atheist Muslim! (:
Posted by: Anarch | November 05, 2008 at 11:09 AM
Suddenly, I heard this huge cheer coming from all around me. It wasn't a crowd in the streets, or a visible celebration, though it sounded like one: as though there was a victory parade right outside my windows, on all sides. It was people in a bunch of townhouses reacting to the fact that the networks had called the race for Obama. Everyone was cheering.
Things were predictably quiet as a mouse here in Oklahoma last night.
On the other hand, when Texas Tech scored the go ahead touchdown against Texas last Saturday, I experienced exactly the phenomenon hilzoy describes: you could literally hear the town cheering.
Baltimore and Norman: different priorities!
Posted by: Ben Alpers | November 05, 2008 at 11:14 AM
there's still some question of whether a woman can - or a Muslim, or a gay person, or any of myriad other groups.
Baby steps. It's always baby steps, in this country at least.
At least we're taking baby steps in a better direction.
Thanks -
Posted by: russell | November 05, 2008 at 11:36 AM
As one difference becomes acceptible (in this case a black man), it slowly makes all differences more acceptible.
Posted by: Geeno | November 05, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Seriously, what part of "Yes we can" didn't you understand?
Posted by: G | November 05, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I had just gotten home from watching the election returns with friends, and I was checking some results on my computer. Suddenly, I heard this huge cheer coming from all around me. It wasn't a crowd in the streets, or a visible celebration, though it sounded like one: as though there was a victory parade right outside my windows, on all sides. It was people in a bunch of townhouses reacting to the fact that the networks had called the race for Obama. Everyone was cheering. About fifteen minutes later, someone started shooting off fireworks. Horns were honking, people were cheering. It went on for at least an hour.
You should have seen lower Manhattan.
I screamed so much I sound like Charlie Rangel today.
Posted by: Eric Martin | November 05, 2008 at 12:17 PM
G, yesterday, California voted to enshrine discrimination in their state constitution: to take away the freedom to marry for lesbian and gay Californians, and to refuse to recognize as legal around 18,000 marriages performed between June and November.
(On Monday George Takei and Brad Altman were legally wed: today, their home state and their nation regard them as two single men who happen to share an apartment. If Takei and Altman were to move to the UK, their marriage would be recognised as a civil partnership here: they would have more legal rights in this country than they do in their native land.)
Two other states (Florida and Arkansas) also passed a ban on same-sex marriage today, and a third (Oklahoma) passed a ban on unmarried couples adopting that was targeted at same-sex couples, who are already banned from marrying in Oklahoma.
In the US military, the US will allow LGBT people to die for their country, but not to serve openly and with honour.
Seriously, what part of this don't you understand?
Posted by: Jesurgislac | November 05, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Or, as a Welsh friend put it: it's so nice to know that in America any millionaire can be President.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Obama was a millionaire when he started running. It was the sales of his book put him into the 7-figures.
Posted by: A.J. | November 05, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Or, as a Welsh friend put it: it's so nice to know that in America any millionaire can be President.
That would be a more serious criticism had Obama inherited his money. Given his background, though, it would be more fair to say that in America anyone can become a millionaire and then be elected president.
On Monday George Takei and Brad Altman were legally wed: today, their home state and their nation regard them as two single men who happen to share an apartment.
That's not quite true, or at least it's not obvious right now that it's true. Even before the Supreme Court ruling that allowed gay marriage, California had a domestic partnership law that recognized gay couples as something more than "single men who happen to share an apartment". The wording of Prop 8 says nothing about domestic partnerships. There's no reason to think that their legal status will change- especially since the final authority on the matter will be the same Supreme Court that decided in favor of letting gays marry.
Posted by: Roger Moore | November 05, 2008 at 12:46 PM
The California vote sucks, but five years ago it wouldn't have been close, and I hope five years from now it won't be close but in the other direction. Here in Massachusetts, where it's been legal for years, the only people who fulminate against same-sex marriage are rightly seen as the cranks and bigots they are. As someone once said, the arc of history is long, but it curves towards justice.
Jes, you really need to address your cynicism problem. Yes, we've got problems, but we're making progress. Obama is, I suppose, a millionaire, but both he and his wife came up from nothing on the power of their intellects and the firmness of their dedication, and Obama's only been a millionaire since he started selling books in huge numbers a couple of years ago. Bill Clinton grew up with little more than Obama, was almost broke when he entered the White House, and was left office with a negative net worth, albeit with huge earning potential for the first time in his life.Posted by: Warren Terra | November 05, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Well, it took centuries before a non-Italian became pope after Hadran VI. Now we have two of those in succession* and a black African is a real possibility in the future (although likely a reactionary). If those papists can do it and change, America can do it too. Next step: acceptance of evolution (also after the RCC did it) :-)
Rachel Maddow** for president in 2016!
*despite talk after JP2's death that now it would be another 3-400 years with Italians only
**after conversion to Islam and severe tanning ;-)
Posted by: Hartmut | November 05, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Roger Moore: California had a domestic partnership law that recognized gay couples as something more than "single men who happen to share an apartment".
But something less than a married couple.
Warren Terra: Jes, you really need to address your cynicism problem.
When it comes to US politics and US self-praise, it is not possible to be too cynical.
A.J.: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Obama was a millionaire when he started running. It was the sales of his book put him into the 7-figures.
If true, that does actually make a difference, yes. ;-)
Posted by: Jesurgislac | November 05, 2008 at 01:26 PM
On the more topical theme of "Random Election Thoughts", Andy Serwer had a really nice http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=11&year=2008&base_name=were_all_americans_now#110678>post href> at TAPPED last night. Here are a couple of paragraphs near the end of the post:
Red Staters should take heart in the knowledge that this ideal is not exclusive. Obama's victory does not mean this is no longer your country. It is not the country conservatives believed it was, but it is theirs as much as it is ours. This is a nation of whites, blacks, Asians and Latinos, gay and straight, conservatives and liberals, small towns and coastal metropolises. No passion can ever break our bonds of affection, no matter how often it may seem so. McCain was wrong: this isn't a proud moment for African-Americans. This is a proud moment for America.
Posted by: Warren Terra | November 05, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Also in the vein of random election-related thoughts, the http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/yes-we-did-now-what>following href>: As we would expect, a classy and a careful organization, from the beginning literally past the end of the campaign. They know their organizers are making sacrifices to work on the campaign, and they also know they need workers who aren't all dilletantes.
Posted by: Warren Terra | November 05, 2008 at 02:14 PM
BTW, there is actually one very very scary thing we have avoided...If you look at the vote count in Missouri (too close to call) you'll see McCain up by about 6k votes...and that Ralph Nadar has about 18k votes. What if this had come down to Missouri and yet again Nadar had taken defeat from the jaws of victory from the Dems? I think Nadar added value in the 70's but really this is the second time the guy has cost a Democrat a state, he really really needs to think about what he is doing.
Here is link
http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/statewideresults.asp?eid=256
Posted by: scott | November 05, 2008 at 03:25 PM
California voted to enshrine discrimination in their state constitution
And a few years before Obama was born, Arkansas amended its constitution to avoid desegregating its public schools. And yet today we have a black President-elect. Yes, your gay child can become President. The road isn't always straight or easy, but there is a road. There are many obstacles and curves along the way but we continue on one step at a time.
Posted by: G | November 05, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Posted by: Warren Terra | November 05, 2008 at 03:41 PM
And my conservative friends/acquaintances are so bitter this morning. So sad for them...
True, so sad for them. Here's one conservative that isn't bitter and didn't vote for Obama.
In fact, I would say the attitude difference between the first Clinton election and this one is remarkable. IMHO, that has to do with the election of the first African American president (with apologies to Bill Clinton's ego on this subject). It was always something more than just a silver lining that Obama might win. I am proud that I live in a country that would elect a black president.
It was interesting to me to hear the reactions of African Americans on the radio today expressing their disbelief that this occurred during their lifetimes. I have been interested in the reaction for some time because of the occasional comments that it wouldn't happen due to racism. In fact, my experience amongst my own conservative friends was one that if he were republican (and had a bit more experience :)) we'd be on the streets campaigning ourselves.
So the mood was far from somber amongst my friends given the circumstances. My party needed a swift kick in the pants anyway and I see this as a sort of purification vote in terms of ideology. But more importantly, I am happy that this election showed the country, and African Americans in particular, that so many in this country are not racist. And there are more conservatives than are given credit for (i.e. the vast majority) that are proud of the election of a black president in spite of ideological differences.
And, for me at least, the position is one to be respected as the representative of all the people. So here's to President-elect Barack Obama, soon to be the first African American President of the United States!
Posted by: bc | November 05, 2008 at 05:18 PM
there's still some question of whether a woman can - or a Muslim, or a gay person, or any of myriad other groups. Sadly, I think the "maybe someday" conversation is still likely to occur in a variety of contexts for quite some time.
I wouldn't mind a female president at all, but it wouldn't find it very exciting either. That probably has to do with the fact that there already have been quite a few female heads of government and even more female heads of state. Also, I always have to think of Maggie Thatcher, but that's admittedly a bit unfair, there are much nicer examples.
As for ethnic minorities, that's fine with me and I'm happy that we have black president now, both because it means a lot in the US and also because Obama's cosmopolitan background hopefully will inform his policies to some extent.
I don't want any head of state, Muslim, Christian or whatever, who is overtly religious because I strongly believe in laicite, but as long as they treat religion as a purely private matter and don't bother me with it, I guess I can live with it.
A gay/lesbian head of government/state would be cool, but that's going to take a very long time in my setimation. Maybe the current mayor of Berlin has a shot someday, after all the Germans loved Joschka Fischer, who used to be a pretty violent street-fighter with some terrorist connections, lol.
But at the end of the day I care more about what these people actually do, than who they are.
Posted by: novakant | November 05, 2008 at 05:24 PM
bc, no lie, I'm hoping folks like you are the majority of the Republican party, 'cause we need honest people like you to keep us honest.
Posted by: gwangung | November 05, 2008 at 05:42 PM
What if this had come down to Missouri and yet again Nadar had taken defeat from the jaws of victory from the Dems?
All's well that ends well.
I am proud that I live in a country that would elect a black president.
Well said. In the context of this particular country's history, it's something worth being proud of.
Thanks for your positive thoughts and good wishes, bc.
Thanks -
Posted by: russell | November 05, 2008 at 05:48 PM
I did some research, and the answer depends on when you think he started running for President.
The Obama family was wealthy before 2005, at least by my standards. Mrs. Obama was a lawyer/hospital public affairs VP, and pulled in low-to-mid 6 figures. Mr. Obama made about $100K per year, between the IL Senate and teaching at UChicago. They had a million-plus dollar house, but the bank owned most of it. After his speech at the 2004 DNC, they made about $3M in book royalties during 2005 & 2006. In 2006, they had about $1.3M in assets.
I think it would be accurate to say that he was, technically, a millionaire when he announced his candidacy, but not when he started to think about running.
In any case, I think there's something slightly strange about the sentiment that you have to be a millionaire to get elected President. I find it hard to imagine that someone who could figure out how to get elected President in the U.S. wouldn't figure out how to make themselves a million dollars on the way. That Obama earned his money by getting sane people excited about participating in politics strikes me as something we should be praising.
Posted by: A.J. | November 05, 2008 at 06:07 PM
bc: So here's to President-elect Barack Obama, soon to be the first African American President of the United States!
Well, that's something we can all agree on! :-D
Posted by: Jesurgislac | November 05, 2008 at 06:31 PM
I think it would be accurate to say that he was, technically, a millionaire when he announced his candidacy, but not when he started to think about running.
For obvious reasons the term "millionaire" has lost a lot of its descriptive value over the decades when it comes to categorizing to somebody as "rich". One million in 1970 would be equivalent to roughly 10 million today, and conversely somebody with 1 million today would have had the equivalent of only 100.000 in 1970. Also, the value of the primary residence is generally not counted when evaluating someone's wealth.
Posted by: novakant | November 05, 2008 at 07:33 PM
I was cheering and crying as well (in my very red NJ suburb, which was quiet as the grave). Yup, we did!
But as to O's constitutional creds, I'm not forgetting that FISA vote. The man is not perfect and will need lots of prodding.
Posted by: Svensker | November 06, 2008 at 07:59 AM