Dear FB friends..
It’s obvious that I find this election extremely important, and my political leanings are just as obvious. I would like to take a moment, however, to express just what is driving me to keep focused on the political conversation. As the mother of two children, 9 and 8, I have two responsibilities: 1) to teach them the best possible values and skills to be good human beings, and 2) to do everything I can to ensure that they have a good future. I want them to see that hard work, perseverance, and education are the way to make changes in this world–that critical thinking and compassion are absolutely necessary to any conversation–that sensationalism and ignorance may be entertaining, but is not effective–that to better your situation, you must be pro-active and courageous, not reactionary and fearful. I also want to teach them to love, not hate, and that indifference is just as dangerous as hate. People tend to only care about social issues when it directly affects them, but here’s the deal–we don’t know who are children and grandchildren will become and what their needs and issues will be. I have two smart, funny, compassionate, quirky kids. My son has autism and we are grateful for the assistance through the school system that he is provided, but what of the rest of their journey? They may or may not go to college. They may struggle with debt. They may choose a professional path, skilled or non-skilled trade or the arts. They may be police or join the military. They may identify as LGBTQ. They may change their faith, they may fall in love with someone of a different culture or ethnicity. They may have biracial children. They may struggle with mental illness or addiction. They may experience poverty, homelessness or prison. I cannot control their journey, but I can ensure that they experience that journey with the support, justice and liberty promised by our country. I cannot afford to be indifferent about politics and social issues. Can you?
Rachel Murphy Azzara 