I just wanted to share with you my own story about a dad who, well, has undergone his own amazing conversion/transformation to voting for Obama. This is my first diary and I hope you will bear with me.
At 43, I never thought I would see the day that my father would VOTE, let alone vote for a black man. He will be 78 years old this November and today when I asked him what he would like for his birthday, he said "I want to see that young man get elected President".
I nearly fell off my chair. Had I even had an inkling that this would be his response, I would never have taken that sip of Pepsi just before he answered-- just an FYI, Pepsi burns like HECK when it comes out your nose!
A litte history regarding my father. He was born and raised in a little midwest Ohio town that, until about 30 years or so ago literally had a sign at the edge of town that warned "black folks" not to let the sun set on them in the town. No, I am not making this up- literally, these folks were warned to get out of town by sunset. Things have changed slightly there, but certainly they are by no means the cornucopia of racial harmony. I remember as a child my grandfather changing the television channel any time a "negro" was on the screen- Let me tell ya, it made watching any baseball game hell in his house in the 70's!
When my dad was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict, he and my mother had to move up their wedding date and take a quickie honeymoon before he was to enter boot camp.
We grew up in another little midwest Ohio city, not too far from my father's hometown. My sister and I went to city schools and learned at a young age not to push my father when it came to politics or his opinions. We are both pretty liberal individuals but my dad was having none of it. Set in his ways is how my mother would explain it to us when we would complain to her that dad was being unreasonable about something. It was the 1980's when I first realized that my father didn't vote. My sister, mother and aunt went off to vote, my sister for the first time, and I off-handedly said to my dad "Aren't you going, too?" Wow, wrong thing to say. My dad shot back that he didn't like either of the candidates, it didn't matter because his vote wouldn't make a bit of difference and besides, ever since they drafted him into a war that nobody would ever call a WAR, he pretty much had little use for the idiots that ran this country.
Fast forward to this election. My sister and I have both volunteered for the local Democratic Party, as we have since Clinton ran the first time. However, due to both of our schedules, we have never been able to work at the same time. We have our weekly pow-wow to catch up and discuss the news and talk about the fact that we are facing probably the most historic moment of our lifetimes. I try to make a visit to my parents at least every couple of weeks (it's just across town). We usually start the visit off with a discussion about dear hubby and, of course, the 2 grandchildren that literally are the very reason for my parents' existence. Somehow, though, the talk always turns to politics. For months, I found myself treading very lightly when dad was in the room. Knowing that he hasn't voted in the past, I have not really felt the need to "canvas" for Obama. Besides, honestly I just didn't want to rock the boat. Now with my mom, hey, that was a different story. Every opportunity I got to discuss issues I really tried to enlighten my mother and aunt. McNumnut's plan for Social Security and Medicare pretty much sealed his own fate as far as they were concerned.
So, today, I stopped in to see my parents, get a Pepsi and visit before the parents trekked off next week for a little trip. We were talking about upcoming birthdays and holidays, about how things were going to be a little tight this year and casually I asked dad about some ideas for his birthday. My dear sis put me on this project-- we are both out of ideas for a man who has everything.
"So, dad, how about your big birthday coming up? Got any ideas you could throw my way? Do you need a new power tool?"
Nope, he said, I don't need a thing. But there is something I would like...I want to see that young man get elected!
Trying to contain my enthusiasm (you know, not jumping up and down and screaming my fool head off)and after wiping the Pepsi off the counter, I looked at my dad with the biggest grin and said "I think you might just get your present, dad." He smiled the biggest smile right back at me and then totally blew me away again.
As a matter of fact, I registered to vote, so I guess I'm just trying to guarantee I get what I want for my birthday this year.
My eyes welled up with tears. I was speechless. My dad is going to vote and not only that, he's voting for an African American for President! We talked a little while longer, although I am not sure exactly what all was said. I gave them each a hug and told them to have a safe trip next week and headed out the door. I got in my car in the driveway and before I even started the car, I picked up my cell phone and called my sister. I got her voicemail, so this is the message I left for her-
Uhm, sis, it's me. I just left mom and dad's and had to give you a call. Our father has been abducted by aliens! The man who is pretending to be our father just told me that for his birthday, he would like to see Obama elected president. Oh yeah, and by the way, he registered to vote!
I can't wait to hear from her! It is a beautiful day indeed here in Ohio!
UPDATE: My sister called me about 2 hours ago- she just got off from her second job (she's a teacher and has to work 2 jobs, go figure). She thought I was kidding about our dad! When I told her I was totally serious, she hung up on me! Turns out, she called dad to confirm it for herself, then called me right back. We laughed and cried for an hour together. As if we didn't have enough of an incentive before, this truly is our MISSION! For the next 18 days, please join us in working as hard as we can to get Barack Obama elected President of the United States and giving my dad the birthday present he wants!