Looking for the Silver Lining in Obama’s Choice of Warren

I believe the decision to invite Rick Warren to give the invocation at the inauguration was a carefully calculated overstep rather than a misstep that actually demonstrates promise for lesbian and gay concerns around what the Obama administration will mean for LGBT rights (Please excuse my lumping of these movements into the normalized acronym–I know they are integrated, yet distinct).

This is my rationale: Obama considers himself so comfortable as an advocate for Gay Rights that he thought he could choose Warren in a genuine and obvious effort to heal divides without appearing to advocate for Warren’s position. All of his explanatory references indicate this was the case. Yet in the face of Proposition 8 and the wounds its passage opened in progressive communities across the nation, his action was understandaby interpreted with cynicism and shocked disapproval. Why does this action hold promise for this same group of alienated Obamites? Because it shows his commitment runs deep enough that he assumed it would translate. He was wrong, but the intention–to heal a divide by a demonstrative act of conciliation may very well create the bridge that can mend the incisions of discrimination Proposition 8–and the beliefs of folks like Warren–have created. If we can “disagree without being disagreeable”, then this act of respect for a view that is anethema to what Obama represents could very well be the best strategy for ensuring Gay Rights.

I know, I feel a little bit like a mother who knows her kid did something wrong trying to find any way to excuse his behavior. I think he could have done this differently and I totally understand why so many Gay Rights activists are up in arms (not to mention the problematics of his position on abortion). I have waited to comment on this for some time, because I really was perplexed and could not figure out why Obama did make the choice he did. I do not mean to excuse him. I think his timing was perplexing and his explanation not quick or articulate enough. And btw–I really resent his (Obama’s)position on Gay Marriage and find it ridiculously politically motivated, problematic, and unacceptable. The religious arguments for the “sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman” are so absurd and the use of the bible as proof is laughable, since that document does not seem to hold marriage in very high regard. Yet maybe, just maybe, Obama does feel this way too and couldn’t say it during the campaign. Maybe, just maybe this move is a first step to beginning a dialogue that will result in the inclusion of gay couples in the cultural practice of marriage. Maybe, just maybe this is a signal that this issue will be one Obama is prioritizing and intending to heal. And maybe, just maybe Warren will say something about this issue that surprises us all. We will have to wait and see and I think we will know more after watching the whole inaugural show rather than prejudging it based on one isolated part. There could be a silver lining on the Warren cloud yet.

One of those People

I sat in pure ecstasy this morning. Shocked ecstasy. All things in the house paused and faded into the periphery. Our President Elect was addressing the nation and I insisted my children stand at attention. Assuring all that the importance of the moment was far more relevant than a timely arrival to school.

I realized in that moment, in a strange present fast forward, that I was beginning to be “one of those people.” Those people are the ones who are sitting in their lazy chairs watching the president’s address and looking pridefully at the portrait of him they have hung on the wall. Those people are the ones that you see in old magazine stories where a family sits smiling at their radio with the caption “FDR addresses the Nation.” I always looked at those in a confused way before. Why do they feel that way? I would think. Or more importantly, why don’t I feel that way?

Listening to Mr. Obama today, as he introduced his national security “team” (even that was delightful, the novelty of the cultural reintroduction of collaboration) I smiled broadly. The picture I have of him from a magazine on the cabinet at my side. Again the dualisms were reconciled, security and diplomacy, power and moral vision, working hard, and enjoying the country we live in. Stunning.

Growing up, the story of JFK was a staple. I was tremendously affected by how effected both my mother and father were by this former president. School taught me all about MLK, and a greater hero I have yet to find. RFK’s story still makes me choke to this day, holding back a sob from a history that was not, but nevertheless somehow is, a part of my time. Obama is my JFK, my MLK, my RFK, all entwined in the fabric of a hope for the futrue I hold for my children. He tells the truth, he smiles, laughs, and oh wow is he smart. For the first time in my lifetime, I feel like part of a generation. I am so grateful to live through these moments.

I know to be wary. I know the threats of idolatry and nevertheless, for now, I will ride this wave gleefully and enjoy finally knowing what it means to be “one of those people.”

The first post since the election.

It took me quite a bit longer than I had thought. I was initially overwhelmed by the responsibility Obama put on the American people with his election. I was struck by a clear commitment to encourage all of us to contribute to the collaborative work of transforming what it means to be American at this time.

I noticed too, a jet lag of consciousness. I noticed replays of Sarah Palin skits from Saturday Night Live. I noticed NPR playing a story from before the campaigns–a story evaluating McCain’s health plan vs. Obama’s. I sat in the parking lot listening in a quintessential “NPR moment” thinking–why does this even matter right now?

Today I also took the time to watch the 60 Minutes interview. It took me a while to piece together, as it was hard to find the divided segments listed consecutively on-line. I watched the question about “when it had sunk in” about 6 times before I learned its multiple internet guises. In the meantime, I read a large part of the transcript–continually struck by his intelligence and attention to detail. He is a truly great communicator–he sees from many sides–multiple visions. Neverthelesss, he is grounded in his abiltiy to have clear vision. It is his goal.

Yesterday I asserted that I was going to stop writing on this blog. I decided to let it be a historical document of the 2008 election. Then I realized that since I had put so much effort forth in sharing my view on why this person should be president, it would be responsible to share my support and viewpoints on his presidency. I think the disequillibrium created by this profoundly historical ( and by that I mean history in its finest sense of the word–where it is about past, present , and future–not just the line but the circle) event is beginning to balance. Perhaps, at least, it has sunk in on the first level.