Don't get me wrong. I am not ashamed of being White Anglo Saxon Protestant male. I am ashamed at so many of my fellow WASP-M are so incredibly short sighted, closed minded and racist, and I am ashamed that I have not called them on it.
In high school, I was a young Republican. Reagan was my hero. I was so enamored with myself and my place in the world that I actually wanted to start the Society Against the Discrimination of WASP-m...OR SADWASP-m. I was sure that I had the toughest road to follow, as I did not get special scholarships or special consideration for anything, being a WASP-M. I really felt left out. Even in some of my college classes, when I was taking multicultural counseling, I had some of my own racist views with which I had to deal. I had to confront them, and realize them in order to understand myself and others around me.
It was when Clinton ran for president that I started to change course. I was becoming more educated, and in such gaining a better understanding of the hardships of others. My African-American Lit and Women in Lit classes really were eye openers for me. I started to feel like it was I who had been blessed with my skin color and gender because all doors really were open to me. I did not have to have help opening doors because they were already wide open for me. There was no glass ceiling to crack and break for me.
I continued through my young professional career as a teacher and was able to work with a very diverse population, and learned more and more about other cultures. I married a Mexican American woman...who is way outta my league by the way, and learned more about my own cultural biases and those of others.
We left our home in Las Vegas to move to Arkansas, so that my daughter could know my grandparents before it was too late. We moved to a small town where there are really only white people. Religion is life here, and it is a very real part of the culture. The kids in school often associate only with other members of their churches. I realized my education was only just beginning.
My first trip to the new barber shop had a bunch of men in it, talking as men will. Only here, they were talking about a gun show that was going on at the time. I didn't know anyone in the shop, and they didn't know me, but still they were comfortable enough to go racial. One guy said," Did you see any Ni&$#s there?"
The other guy, "No, but all the confederate flags and hats probably scared off any that might feel like coming out."
I have to say that I was embarrassed. And today, I have to say that I am ashamed that I did not say anything. I just sat there quietly waiting for my cut to be over so I could leave. I was afraid to say anything.
And, just a couple of months ago, I approached my neighbor and told him I was going to have my trees trimmed. He said he hoped I wasn't going to hire the same Mexican's who came out to fix my fence when I had that repaired. I have to say, that I am ashamed again, because I did not battle his racism, instead I informed him I had hired a redneck to fix my fence, and I wasn't here when they came to repair my fence. My wife is a Mexican American, and I did not even speak up then.
There have been countless times in between when I have noticed racism around me. I have rarely said anything unless I was in a very comfortable position. Again, I am ashamed of myself for this. But this presidential race has really started to wake me up. It is not enough for us WASP-m to not think negative thoughts ourselves. It is not enough that we are willing to, or even proud to vote for a black man (the best man regardless of color) for president. We have to do more. We have to challenge the ugly thoughts and actions around us.
I live in a town that has less than 10,000 people in it. The people are genuinely friendly, and kind, and it is a very safe town to live. There is very little crime. You can let your children play outside with out thinking much about it. At least they are friendly to me. They are not so friendly to Obama. I have seen only three signs around for Obama, in comparison to at least 60 for McCain. The crazy thing is, this town is full of coal mining families, and working class folks. McCain's policies will not help them one bit, but they don't see this. They either see Obama's skin tone, or Palin's religious views as the reasons to vote for their candidate in this election.
I have had many conversations with people about this election. I have been called anti-American. I have been told Obama is a muslim, that he won't make it until election time, or that he will be "taken out" quickly after he takes office. I have been told that Obama hates America. I have not been told any logical reasons why he should not be voted into office. I have even been told that people just couldn't vote for him because he is black. I have argued with these people, and I have called them on their lack of reasons for voting for Obama. I have not challenged them enough on their reasons for voting against him. I did this because I don't normally like confrontations, and I have to live in this town. I can't sell my house here, with the economy being what it is, and I really love my house anyway. Until this election, I did not see the ugliness around me so much. I see it everyday now. I see it in the tenor of the McCain campaign, and I see how people eat it up and just run with it. Most of all, I see other WASP-ms just like me, and they are willing to be the lowest common denominator. Once again, I am ashamed.
But, I pledge to not be so idle anymore. I pledge to fight the ignorance, the racism, the stupidity, and the hatred. I pledge to speak out about the injustices I see, and to challenge my neighbors, and barbers, and friends when I hear them saying ugly things. I may not make any friends. I may become a social pariah.... but I won't be ashamed anymore.
Post note,
I voted early today in Arkansas. I took my grandma with me, and she voted for Obama as well. I convinced two voters from missou to vote for Obama yesterday, and I am still working on a couple of others. Now is not the time to sit by and wait. Do more for Obama.... donate before Thursday night, work the call list, talk to your neighbors, drive people to the polls.