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Vieques- November 2008 NEW
Living and Working in Vieques..
Until Barrack Obama announced for president, I was a republican. That decision was based primarily on my perception that republicans would best handle foreign policy. I apologize for the spectacular errors that ensued. As for the rest, I was never a republican on cultural matters, so it came as a relief to switch alliances.
When I was ten years old, I moved from Florida to live with a family in Chevy Chase Maryland. I was deeply tanned and mistaken for what we used to call “negroes”. The kids at school yelled epithets at me, calling me a “Dirty N…..” It did not so much hurt my feelings as it did cause me to confront a particularly strange form of injustice. I never did defend myself, I was living with a foster family and had no trusted person to whom I could turn. It was a transformational experience. Having come from a Miami then segregated for drinking fountains, back of the bus, etc; to a community where I was mistaken for black is an irony I was far too young to appreciate. However, it left, no doubt, an impression.
I understand why opponents of Obama accused we who supported him of drinking the cool aid. I felt that way; He appeared, He spoke, I fell in love. It might as well as have been cool aid. Like so many people, I felt he was an intelligent man explaining his philosophy of government and his positions to people he regarded as intelligent also. I felt he was not trying to manipulative us, that he did not deliberately lie, that he was calm and reassuring, really smart and intuitive. That he was black made no difference to me, except that, of course, I did not imagine he could be elected.
That is where the cool aid comes in. Despite the fact that I never imagined he could actually be elected, I started to give him money (this was in the primary), to talk him up to people, to argue with my many friends who were Hillary diehards. However, in my secret heart, I did not then imagine he could be elected.
When it became apparent he would win the nomination, I began for the firs time to take the giant step into the suspension of belief that a black man could be elected in this year – in this time.
Gradually, actually fast, I became convinced he would be elected. I followed the state polls daily, and a few weeks before the election, I knew he would be elected. At the same time, I could not really quite believe it. I imagine I would feel the same way if I won the lottery. How could it be that I lived through segregated drinking fountains, being called a n….. and now would see this back man elected? Must be the cool aid.
Email’s flew back and forth throughout the campaign – It was worrisome, frightening (Palin), obsessive – but fun. When Obama won Pennsylvania on election night, I knew we had it. “We” had it, “We” won the election – because that is how he made us feel – it was not his election, it was Ours.
Vieques Election News:
After eight years of Mayor Dámaso Serrano López , Evelyn Delerme, a 36 year old lawyer and reformer, won this year election with a margin of over 10%. This represents change in Vieques, and we are looking forward to a progressive government, responsive to both the citizens of Vieques, the tourism industry and the North American community.
So, even though we are all in such a deep hole, a financial mess, a depressing and sad time in our history, we who live in Vieques have a great deal to look forward to.
I am keeping a pitcher of kool aid in the fridge just in case.
Have a wonderful visit,Sheila
The opinions expressed in this newsletter are the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of Enchanted-Isle.Com.
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Webmaster's Note * Sheila has many hats and is also a published author Her first book was "Simple Truths". She has asked that I put a short story she has written and I enjoyed it a lot, even though it has nothing to do with Vieques. You can download "Knowing" by right clicking on the link.
She is also Co-owner of Crow's Nest Realty with Eli Belendez of the hotel Crows Nest.
Sheila can be reached for a brochure through her web page at http://www.crowsnestrealty.com