Hope
As I toured all over the country this summer with True Colors, I saw something in the eyes of the audience I have not seen in a very long time, it was hope. Each night as I talked about the power of voting, it was evident through their reactions that the crowd wanted to change how this country is run. That is the one good thing that President Bush has done in the past seven years, he has created a movement within the country to change how things are done in Washington DC. But, what mattered to me the most is that everyone cared enough about their own lives and the future to register and vote.
I believe we are at a crossroads and the next ten years will determine the future of this country. Like I said from the stage, this is not voting for the American Idol, it is much more important, this is voting for the American President. And now that I'm home again, and off stage, I wonder, will we become the country that respects the diversity that is our backbone or will we continue down this path of the few ruling the many? I wonder to myself are we gonna make that change in a big way and when I think about it I believe that the change can happen in the form of Senator Barack Obama.
Because, America is a quilt of many fabulous fabrics and we have a sordid history that has not always respected that. And because, for far too long groups of people have been singled out and discriminated against simply because of such things as the color of their skin, their religious beliefs or whom they love. And, that these very acts undermine the basic principles this country was founded on, the time has come to finally break down the barriers that keep America from fulfilling its destiny.
In particular, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is closer than ever to gaining full equality. We are teetering back and forth right now, and we need to act together to push us in the right direction. What we are asking for is only fair and right. We as a society, LGBT or straight, can show that civil rights are important and discrimination is wrong across the board through our vote. I believe by voting for Barack Obama we will do just that.
Like Obama, I grew up with a loving, hard-working single mom, in a neighborhood mixed with all races and different backgrounds. And like Obama, I knew that was our strength and not our weakness.
I see in Barack Obama a real fighter for fairness and inclusion, a person who overcame every obstacle growing up to achieve an education and to become the leader he is today. He battles against discrimination of all kinds, from race and gender to sexual orientation and gender identity. He is the most inclusive candidate who has a real chance at the White House that we ever have had. He is a true American who commands respect and more importantly respects Americans - all of us.
I believe that a President Obama would deliver on the promises that have been made to the LGBT community for so long, like inclusive workplace non-discrimination legislation, the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", and finally the passage of hate crimes legislation that includes everyone, not just some. It saddens me in ways I cannot begin to describe just to know that hate crimes still occur in our society. Under President Obama, the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act will finally become law.
When I talk to young people I believe the time has come. It reminds me of my generation in the 1960's who made a promise to make the world better. The young people today have dedicated themselves as well to this goal and have truly embraced change. They are working harder than ever to elect Barack Obama President because he is a voice of a new and more imaginative generation. They are hungry for new ways of thinking, and to put away old labels, fears, prejudices and bigotries. They believe you can change the world one person at a time. And so do I.
Simply look around, and talk to every young voter you meet, and then vote because you care what happens to them and you care what happens to the world and this country. We all deserve better.
Lastly, I implore you to share your lives with the people you love and care about. Your vote is powerful, but the work cannot end there. Americans are mostly fair-minded people, but are disconnected from the everyday struggles of your life. We are one society and if we are disconnected we fall, but connected we stand tall. If you want people to understand the reality of being LGBT in society today, you need to share your story.
If you are LGBT, share with them the discrimination you still face in America, and if you are a straight ally, share with them the discrimination you have seen inflicted upon your friends and family. Explain that discrimination not only affects the one it is directed towards, but it affects us all. Show through your example what LGBT people truly are like and break down the misconceptions and stereotypes that fuel the prejudices that have plagued our community and society for far too long.
I am an example of what can happen when you share your story. When my sister Elen came out to me and told me about her life, my eyes were opened to the fact that I needed to be a part of changing this country for the LGBT community and have taken that responsibility very seriously.
So, the time has come to stand up and use your voice. It is time that we push ourselves over the edge towards full equality. It is time that we have a President who will work for us and not against us.
All my best,
Cyndi Lauper
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It will come slow my little children.
Nationalized healthcare, redistribution of wealth; it will never be enough.
When a "moderate size" business does it wrong, it goes out of business.
When the government does it wrong, it demands more power, more money; "The Spiral of Control."
Business, government, unions, mobs; don't let them get too big. Their goal is the same: Power.
But if it's massive power for what you want; it's OK right?
No. Both sides are in that trap right now.
I hope my side wins; But alas, it too will be corrupt with power.
Let's at least elect those that speak of the principle of limited government. That is a basic premiss of America.
Hey, alright!
In the long run...
Girls just wanna' make sense.
A skeptic can be grown in no-time
from the treated torso of anyone torn in two
And in this era of the owned and indebted who,
the means to do so safely, surround you...
(hate never beats hope)
I'm always glad to hear about voter registration drives, but I have become increasingly concerned we need to have registration PRESERVATION drives. unfortunately, the GOP's main way to counter Dem strength in registering new voters has been to have those registrations invalidated, questioned, the new voters intimidated, and another voter is dissauded from EVER participating.
Particularly in the battleground states and states with Republican Secretaries of State, we need to first register people, THEN monitor how the state process those registrations and what criteria they use for cutting voters from the roles.
Not to rain of your parade Cyndi, I agree with you and admire you, but it doesn't end when the forms are submitted.
And thanx for having a different spelling of your name from McC's spouse.
Continue to campaign to get younger eligible voters to REGISTER and VOTE, it TRULY does make a difference
With the interest expressed among the younger voters in Obama as an agent of change, it is truly a wonderful sign of hope for the future. It most certainly shouldn't be taken lightly. The outcome of the election has an opportunity to either reinforce that hope or deal it a severe blow. With debts and deficits reach untold heights, it is their future which is clouded, their future which is most affected by the outcome.
Should Obama be elected and fail to deliver on the unwritten promises to alter the climate of Washington, an entire generation of voters could become disillusioned. Thus a lot depends on his ability to not only win this election, but to change the course which the country finds itself on. That is quite the expectation.
The changes made by Obama as president must be clear, or it could cost the country greatly with a loss of interest of a good portion of voters (definitely within the Democrat community). If the voters are interested, they are not well informed. If they are not well informed, the democracy will continue on a road to failure.
Editorials such as this put greater pressure on the change occurring, the expectations become higher and more radical changes may be the benchmark on which an Obama presidency is judged. We must be cautious to not set up expectations beyond what can be reasonably obtained. Celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime difference, but do so with cautious optimism.
Like everyone here, I'm a fan and I love your music!
Excellent perspective and thanxs for talking about how serious this is for us all.
I feel that people really don't understand what it means to be raised by a single parent.
To overcome these circumstances requires jumping many hurdles, often never acknowledged.
Peace and love to you, and now let me go play one of my fav. songs, "Time after Time".
Clinton supporter says she was called 'Uncle Tom'
Aug 25 12:21 PM US/Eastern
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DENVER (AP) - A black delegate for Hillary Rodham Clinton says she was called an "Uncle Tom" by Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, one of Barack Obama's political mentors.
Chicago political consultant Delmarie Cobb says Jones made the remarks Saturday night while discussing her support for Clinton. She called the remark "fighting words" and unacceptable.
Jones, who also is black, said Monday that he never uttered the slur. He says he referred to Cobb and other Clinton supporters as "doubting Thomases."
Cobb says that explanation doesn't make sense because she confronted Jones at the time and he didn't indicate she'd misunderstood.
Thank you Cyndi for speaking out on behalf of the straight community who loves and adores our GLBT friends. You're right we are the verge of making equal rights happen for all and we can't stop now. I'm a proud Obama supporter and a huge fan of yours. XOXO
Obama 08'
Nicely said, Cyndi. And thanks for remembering the old neighborhood. I grew up a few blocks from you in Richmond Hill.
Great post, Cindy!
I think all Americans have got to get it into to their heads that change does not come with the GOP. The GOP and McCain are posing Obama as the "unknown" candidate. Folks, look at what we do know - we know that "trickle-down" economics does not work, never has, never will. That is McCain's economic plan. So given the 'known" factor that the GOP economic policy doesn't work wouldn't it tempt all Americans to try the UNKNOWN that Obama puts forward. What can we lose?? We have no health care with the GOP and none will appear with the GOP. Obama will lower middle-class taxes and up the very rich who have been given every break under GOP rule.
NO more! I will simply not trust the GOP on one more thing that involves fiscal responsiblitiy or making sure America is what it was meant to be - an opportunity for all not just the very rich.
Thanks so much for your post, Cyndi! When I see a presidential candidate say that he defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, but he approves of civil unions and civil rights, I see a candidate saying what he believes he needs to say. There are still too many fearful voters among us to hear otherwise. I believe that in his heart, Barack is for same sex marriage. He just can't say it out loud yet. Since I am not running for president, I can say this: "I am a Christian and I am in favor of same sex marriage. And I think God is too." So for all of you who think you have to be opposed to civil rights for all, if you are a Christian, chew on that for a while.
Thanks Cyndi! God bless!
Thanks Cyndi. You have always been one of my heroes. While Obama and Biden are not perfect as some commenters have pointed out, they are a good start especially given where the country is today and the alternatives. Hopefully, people will realize that it is up to us to push for our respective concerns not only through voiting but through community activism and thorugh speaking out.
Obama is a Christian, so PERSONALLY, he does believe in marriage between man and woman. But he also believes in the Constitution, which calls for a separation of church and state, so the LGBT community should have nothing to worry about, they want to get married at city hall (state), not St. Peter's Cathedral, and Obama is for civil unions...t
When your partner of 15+ years is in a coma in the hospital and her family -- from whom she has been estranged for 20 years -- has the right to forbid you to visit or have any contact or any say in her care because you are not family, gay rights really matter.
"Obama is a Christian, so PERSONALLY, he does believe in marriage between man and woman."
Can you cite a single quote from the Torah (or what Christians call "the old Testament") or what Christians call the New Testament that suggests the lesbianism is wrong in the eyes of G-d?
I don't think you can. I think this because there is no such quote. It's illogical to assume that someone's personal belief is one way or another on this matter just because he or she is a Christian (or a Jew for that matter).
Your larger point, that there are far more important issues politically, is correct not only for political considerations. It is also correct for religious reasons. Any thorough reading of Jewish and/or Christian holy books will show that other issues take far greater precedent than the gender of whom one loves.
Obama is not as progressive on that issue as I would like, BUT...
We know McCain will do what he can to destroy the steps toward legal same sex unions (whatever you call it) that have been taken.
You can vote for McKinney or Nader who have a more PC policy, but then there's that question of viability and whether you make the perfect the enemy of the good.
Hope is also what I feel. I see hope everywhere. I also see racism everywhere. White people of our age seem to be using every excuse to hate Obama. In addition to the change from the horrors that have been committed in the name of the USA, this vote will also be a referendum on racism.
It's time to change, not only from the un-American policies of Washington, but from the racism that motivates those policies. This should be the beginning of the real American Dream.
Ed Graham
PS I love you.
Not all white people use every excuse (or any excuse for that matter) to hate Obama. Some of us white people see him as what he is - a potentially great leader. In fact, many of 'us' see him that way.
As usual - be careful about lumping together all of any broad 'group' of people.
I agree with your criticism. Sometimes when I write in a hurry, I don't say exactly what I mean. I am white, and I get a lot of e-mail lies about Obama from white friends. Most of my close friends think like you and me,
I try not to be a "lumper," but the vicious lies that I hear about Obama are no;t being debunked by the Democrats or the MSM. I have an uneasy feeling about this election.
Ed Graham
Thanks. If everyone takes Obama on face value he will win. It is unfortunate that in our great country there are those who fight to keep people down. Woman people, Mexican people, Asian people, Hispanic people, Latino people, Black people, Poor White people, Gay people, Indian people, etc. A movement is out there to keep us "in our place". Use your voice.....
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