My dear friend Krystal asked me to speak about my thoughts on the election, and also about the political mood of this area. This one's for you, Krystal.
The city of
Asheville is a giant blue bubble in the otherwise red political landscape of North Carolina. Reading the bumper stickers on cars here is like being in Portland or Eugene.
"Pro Family, Pro Child, Pro Choice, "War is Not the Answer,"Tree Hugging Dirt Worshiper, and Another Mama for
Obama," are sentences I read every day in the parking lot of our organic grocery store and around the city. There is a weekly anti-war protest downtown and our mayor is a thirty three year old black, female democrat. I have yet to see a
Mccain/
Palin sign sticking out of a front yard, although I am sure some exist. Yes,
Asheville is the perfect bubble for a young, flaming liberal like myself.
But, one should always be aware of their bubble. Be mindful that it is a small, delicate sphere, protected by the city limit and surrounded by opposing opinions. Like most places in America, the more rural the surroundings, the more conservative the views. You don't have to go far outside the city to see Rebel Flags
flighin' high and a deep loyalty to the Grand
Ol' Party gleaming in the eyes of the locals. Seeing confederate flags as big as my house flying on flagpoles has most certainly taken some getting used to. However, conservative small town views is something I am quite familiar with. I come from south
Tillamook county after all, a place with no shortage of hippies, but also a place with plenty of blue collar conservatives. I believe it's healthy and important to intermingle. Enjoy the bubble, but don't let it make you close minded and self righteous-a trait I deplore in both donkeys and elephants.
So, here I am a liberal-in the liberal haven of
Asheville, bearing in mind that I am a voter in a very red state. I don't think it will come as a
surprise that, come November, I will be voting for Senator Barrack Hussein
Obama. I would be voting Democrat no matter who the candidate. Not to say that I am not happy that this particular candidate is a black male with an international background and a beautiful voice that was made for public speaking. That being said, I really don't get excited about politicians. Part of me wishes I did, especially after seeing my friend Kristi's face after
Obama's speech at the convention.
"He started out as a senator, and then by the end, he had the manner and spirit of the president!! I KNOW he can do it!?!" she
squealed. Her eyes as starstruck as if she were a thirteen year old at a Jonas Brothers concert.
He does have a star quality about him, and I have found that many people react to him the way they would a rock star. Not that women are asking him to sign their boobs, but....you know what I mean. I was not alive back in 1968, but it seems to me that America has not been this excited about a candidate since Bobby Kennedy. It's pretty cool to witness. It is not lost on me that for the first time in history, it is not two old, crusty white males running against
each other. That is wonderful. But, again, I don't get
butterflies in my stomach for any politician. They just don't do it for me. I
definitely don't agree with
Obama on a lot of things, and do recognize that he is quite young for the job. Although, I don't see his youth as a detriment as many people do, and I think it can work to his advantage. As much "change" as he is touting, he is a member of a party that I think needs some deep internal changes-and I won't really believe the "change" until I see it. But, he deserves a chance, and vote for him I will. I am also trying to get my apathetic, mid twenties, non voting
acquaintances and friends to get off their asses and vote as well. I hope, within my lifetime, we will see political and social changes beyond my wildest dreams.
So, there you have it. A rundown of the basic political mood here in Western North Carolina as seen through the eyes of yours truly.
Rock the Vote y'all!!
