Tonight is a quite, peaceful night as I listen outside my window to the thunder and pouring rain while reading. I’ve been reading the book The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd for our book club, The Finer Things, and thinking about how far we have come since 1964. It is a story about a 14 year old girl named Lily, who runs away from her abusive father figure. Lily escapes with a black woman who has cared for her for years and together, they run off to South Carolina and end up staying with a trio of black beekeeping sisters. The story highlights the Civil Rights Movement of the 60′s and the struggle black people endured, particularly in the South. With history changing right before our eyes in the last week, it is amazing to think how far we have come in the last forty years. Although I am not yet done with the book, it is solidifying for me the importance of seeing Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the United States and what this symbolizes for our society – and, the world.
The book makes me wonder though. Had I lived during the Civil Rights Movement, what would have been my own beliefs, opinions, and views about race? Would I have been a rebel of my time, like Lily, where color of one’s skin was a non-issue or would I have simply turned and looked the other way? I am hopeful I would have the same belief system as I do today but misinformation and ignorance can be a powerful thing. Need proof? I have two words for you: Sarah Palin.
I hope all people, regardless of color, religion, sexual orientation, etc. will unify over the next few years and really take action to make some positive change. As Obama mentioned in his speech, change is not something he can bring about on his own. YOU have to help. And, I have never been so inspired to do just that. I hope you will too. We still have a far, far way to go to reach peace and true equality.
