Barack Obama

I woke up this morning anxious to start the day. After stepping into the warmth of the sun in this new city, in my new neighborhood, the butterflies kicked into high gear. I held firmly onto the confirmation card--proof that I was registered to vote in the California Primary election. As a democrat, I looked forward to mulling over the slate of candidates running on our ticket for the presidential election. What other party, what other country, could you have a Latino, African American, Jewish AND female candidate all on the same ballot? My decision was easy and like most bay area progressives, Obama had won me over. His line at the Democrat National Convention 4 years earlier about, "...there's not a liberal America and a conservative America - there's the United States of America." along with his his views on politics as outlined in his book, "The Audicity of Hope" drew me in. You can read his entire DNC speech here:

As excited as I was voting for Obama, I had to acknowledge the fear of a "wasted vote." After all, Hillary Clinton had much greater name recognition and was considered the candidate to beat. But with politics as with personal choices, I wanted to ensure my decision was NOT based on fear. There were several friends who expressed an interest in Barack but they were afraid (primarily because of race) that he may lose to the Republican candidate in the national election. Basically, they had no faith that our fellow Americans would make a decision based on the best candidate. Pehaps my vote will be "wasted" as my vote for Ross in 1992. But there is something to be said for a candidate who can truly inspire and motivate a generation of young folks. He, along with Benazir, both give me hope for my country.

Benazir Bhutto

Thursday December 27th, 2007. I remember this date as most of us would birthdays or any national holiday. I woke up some 3.5 hours away from home at 11am shivering from the cold and alone in large house. I headed towards the kitchen to make a pot of tea and turned on the TV as a substitute for company. The gas flames provided such much needed heat to my blue nails and cramping hands. And as my body began to warm up, i began to to hear what was echoing from CNN. Something about an assisination....someone in a hospital and Bhutto. Its funny that your mind can put the pieces together but actually accepting what your mind concludes takes much longer. I ran over towards the set and cranked up the volume because even your ears can play tricks on you. "Benzir Bhutto sucuumbs to her wounds...Benazir Bhutto has been assisinated."

Rewind 19 odd years ago to 1988-1989 in a different setting and I can remember first hearing her name on TV. First hearing of a woman who became prime minister in the country that was once part of India. The woman who was leading a Muslim nation in the same vein that Indira had led a predominatly Hindu India at the start of the decade. Here in the US, sat this young impressionable naive girl thinking to herself, "Wow, if countries like India and Pakistan can elect female leaders, its only a matter of time before my country, the USA will do so too!" I remember how excited I was at the idea. I remember hoping that she was a better woman than Indira, who had massacred thousands of Sikhs at the Golden Temple during her term. I remember wondering if there were any minority communities in Pakistan, wondering if other religions were represented in Pakistan. Wondering and hoping she would unite her country and not divide it as Indira had.

Benazir Bhutto would be in and out of the news many times with her signature chunni covering her head as I grew up. She was not my hero or my role model, she represented something more important. I will always remember that brief moment in time when she gave me hope for my own country. Hope.

Either / Or

From the M word and originally published on the huffington post....a simple yet beautiful and profound poem that can help us all understand what it feels like for a girl...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kate-bornstein/gender-as-neithernor_b_58397.html

Meat is Murder

Its always nice to know that in a time of need, The Smiths have always provided company with their song selection. This morning, "meat is murder" has been echoing in my mind. I don't expect you to know the song but it inspired this carnivore to change her ways 10 years ago. Yesterday, this vegetarian was diving into a burrito when I realized that the texture of the food in my mouth felt oddly out of place. It felt like rubber, it was chewy and and by the time I pushed it down my throat, it was too late. I looked down on my plate and saw a square piece of that chicken staring right at me. The convulsions started and while I did my best to control the overwhelming urge to regurgitate, a sliver of it managed to funnel up my throat. Thats a sure fire way to lose ones' appetite. My fellow vegetarian lunch mate looked at my plate, inspected the burrito and after careful prodding, assured me there were no other foreign substances. I was too hungry not to finish the meal so after a long sip of water to cleanse my palette, I picked up where I left off.

Its unfortunate that this happened at La Salsa--second only to Baja Fresh as my food of choice in downtown. Once scorned tho' I can't ever go back. The flesh you so fancifully fryed, was not succulent, tasty or kind. I went home that evening and the convulsions followed.