One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

It's a sad title for this moment in history. Last night as we watched the electoral map turn blue and the election was called in favor of Obama, the immediate response was elation and celebration. Shouting, jumping, cheering, hugging. Then it went to solemn awe as we tried to fathom the giant leap our country had taken in electing the first African-American President of the United States. Not that this was a condition that qualifies him, but for the first time in history, it did not disqualify him either. I've never felt so patriotic or proud to be an American. It's a true measure of what democracy can achieve. I'm awed by the power of a grass roots campaign that came from the people, by the people, for the people. And I have great hopes and aspirations for the healing of a nation that is desperately in need of healing. Nathan shared a quote with us last night. He couldn't remember where it came from, but it goes something like this: "Rosa Parks SAT so that Martin Luther King could STAND. Martin Luther King STOOD so that Barack Obama could RUN. Barack Obama RAN so that we can FLY."

Even in the celebration and awe of this profound moment, there is still sadness. My new state, California, voted to ban gay marriage, overturning a decision not six months ago to amend the state constitution to extend the legal rights of marriage to same sex couples. I wish I could celebrate the victory of the new presidency with unrestraint. But for me it is still a sad day where the human rights we celebrate for some are still denied to others.