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A Place At The Table
Election Eve found me at my college buddy’s apartment. In anticipation of a long night into morning, I had arrived in my stylish Bedhead Pajamas. Wine flowing, food delivered, we were ready! His niece, over from Italy and studying in New York, joined us for what would be her first American election. We caught up with family gossip, traded stories about the long voting lines spanning neighborhood blocks and remarked how quiet the city grows as people hunker down to await the returns. In the wee, small hours of the morning when the improbable became possible and the breaking news tickertape announced “Clinton calls Trump to concede,” we knew we had witnessed history. That moment when you realize your world will not be as it was. I don’t think we were as ready as we thought. Neither was America.
The media had it wrong, the number crunchers scratched their heads, Clinton was devastated and Trump while victorious, was I’d venture to say, pleasantly surprised. Next came the blame game: who didn’t come out, wasted their vote on a third party candidate or lied about their choice. Followed by cries of abolishing the Electoral College, to on-going protests across the country with accusations of organized agitators. Change is hard.
This crack, this fissure that has opened, is a part of our American heritage. There are bound to be times of great upheaval and uncertainty for a country founded by European immigrants who overtook the land from an indigenous population, rejected monarchy for a republic while owning slaves and fought a Civil War, brother against brother, essentially over money and to free said slaves.
We have always struggled with our baser nature of fear and greed. Always believed there wasn’t enough room at the table, like that unexpected guest at Thanksgiving dinner. And yet, decade after decade, kicking and screaming, we somehow manage to include them, even if we have to forego a 2nd helping of Auntie Barbara’s famous sweet potato pie. I’d like us all to remember that as we struggle with this new America. My having should not preclude you from having, if we get this right. If we consistently hold the media and our elected officials feet to the fire to address the real concerns most Americans face: do I have food, a place to live, a job, am I free and safe, the environment, education and affordable healthcare.
Once they’re in office, check in with them, see how they’re handling the job. Praise them if they’re doing well and let them know if they’re not. Even better, make suggestions. Troubleshoot. Have their office numbers on speed dial and their email addresses in your contact list. If that doesn’t work, use the power of the purse and boycott. Remind them of who got them there and keeps them there. You, me, we. None of us are going anywhere so we might as well pull up that extra chair, break bread together and get to work.
