Politics from a teen’s perspective
Written by my 15-year-old son, who attended the Obama Rally in Houston on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, and attended the debate on Thursday, February 21, 2008 in Austin.
I attended the debate tonight. I wasn’t sure if I would understand what all they said because sometimes they use a lot of big words I don’t understand. My mom wants me to pay attention this year because she calls this election historical. She told me that I should remember this year when I’m older.
A reporter from a TV station in Austin saw me with my mom in the press room and asked me why I was there. I told her that I was helping my mom and also writing for my school newspaper. She asked me what I thought of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. I told her I liked both of them but that I cannot vote this year. She asked me who I would vote for if I could vote and I told her probably Barack Obama. I don’t really know who would make the best president. I like Barack Obama because he is biracial like me. I sometimes feel like I don’t fit in and people ask me my race. I tell them that I am mixed and they don’t know what that means. My dad was black and my mom is white. I think Barack Obama is like me because I can relate to my mom, who is white, and also to my dad, who was black. My mom told me that makes me fit into both races but I sometimes feel like it means I can’t fit in anywhere. Barack Obama makes me feel like I can fit in and maybe one day be president, too.
My mom said a lot of people asked her what I thought of the debate tonight. I didn’t understand a lot of things that they talked about but Hillary Clinton sounded a little grouchy to me. She sounds like some of my teachers when they get really angry and no one ever listens to someone when they yell like that. Barack Obama is calmer and nicer.
The other word I don’t understand is super delegates. My mom tried to explain it to me but it’s confusing and sounds like a bunch of superheroes in comic books. Sometimes it starts to sound like blah blah blah in my head.
I have ADHD and sometimes people think I’m not smart or that I need extra help doing things. My mom told me that it means my mind just works a little different from everyone else and I have to make sure I pay attention when I want to daydream. People say that Barack Obama is different and can’t be president because he’s not like everyone else. I think that maybe he just thinks differently from everyone else and his mind works like mine. That doesn’t mean he’s not smart because he doesn’t think like Hillary Clinton or George Bush.
My mom asked me after the debate who I thought was the best and the winner. I think Barack Obama should win.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 am
As I understand it, delegates vote for us, according to the votes we placed (in the paperless Diebold voting machine that can easily be corrupted), but super delegates don’t have to listen to anyone and can do what they want. And they decide who wins, not the voters. That’s what I know, and I hope I’m wrong. But it doesn’t matter anyway, b/c of the Diebold machines. That’s how Bush “won”.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Thank you for the report. I can talk all day yet you summed up Barack’s appeal in one word “calmer.”
All the issues you mentioned you should continue to think and learn about.
Your comments about Barack’s biracial heritage are interesting, precisely because you can relate directly with him. Your rational for supporting Barack because he “is biracial like me” may sound to some as being shallow or lacking in deep thinking. However, you go on to make your case by stating that “Obama makes me feel like I can fit in and maybe one day be president, too.”
Those are powerful words that have deep meaning. You are describing “hope” and real hope at that. So, yes, your rational for your support is valid. It just so happens that for the rest of the country, Barack’s heritage is very much a key reason for him to lead too. You just see it more clearly.
But, race, gender, good looks, etc. should never be THE reason for leading our country. Intellect, wisdom, and yes, calmness, combined with the ability to lead, and unite, all must be there. Your report helped me identify a key ingredient, calmness, so thank you.
And finally, get your hands on Barack’s first book “Dreams from My Father.” Barack describes his life in a biracial US, and life as a world citizen. By the time you get to the end of chapter two, you will learn that the man you watched debating the other night, as a young boy used to stand in front of the mirror “wondering if something was wrong…” I think you can tell now, that no, nothing was or is wrong.
Thank you again, great post.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
[…] Lone Sophist wrote an interesting post today on Politics from a teen’s perspectiveHere’s a quick excerptBarack Obama makes me feel like I can fit in and maybe one day be president, too….I like Barack Obama because he is biracial like me….I think Barack Obama is like me because I can relate to my mom, who is white, and also to my dad, who was black….My mom asked me after the debate who I thought was the best and the winner. I think Barack Obama should win…. […]
February 25th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Oh, thank you for allowing us to read what your son wrote. You have clearly done a beautiful job raising him. I’m so glad I came by to see what you’ve been up to.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:58 am
That was perfect. Your son summed up Barack’s appeal across the board. I am not biracial but I identify with him too on other things.
I know you are proud of your son and what he has written - I am too. I read through all of your posts on this and had tears over his simple phrases that were so eloquent.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:43 am
“I sometimes feel like it means I can’t fit in anywhere.”
me2 felt like that a long time ago . My Dad was Burmese, Mom was mixed Anglo of Mayan Indian, Portuguese and British genes.
So as a Kid, I had a hard time fitting into any group at school . Mind you, I was born in India, where eating beef made you an outcast in the local society !! 35 years ago it was very difficult for me .
But as I grew up I learnt the ethnic history of my parents and what they stood and that made me proud to be who I am !!
The world is changing- race and color has no boundaries, Humanity is once again becoming one together !!
February 28th, 2008 at 11:51 am
My middle son was able to go to Dallas to see Obama. Two of my sons will be new voters in Novermber. I think our house is set on Obama, too.
March 6th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Politics aside, you should be proud of your son. He sounds like he has a level head on his sholders. Getting him interested in his future is good. My son too also has ADHD and getting him to talk about how he feels about certain topics is hard. It is nice to see (hear) of other boys going through the same thing as my son and doing well. I am having my son read your post. Maybe he too will see that his thought mean something to.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
[…] Politics from a teen’s perspective […]
March 19th, 2008 at 6:03 am
[…] if you will, the comments by a blogger I know talking about her biracial son and his reaction to Barack Obama: A reporter from a TV station in Austin saw me with my mom in the press room and asked me why I was […]