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Let me tell you a little story about a girl who ditched her right to vote, said screw you to the US and left the United States in a tantrum after the whole Bush/Gore election disaster in 2000.
2012. Voting and proud, baby.
After that whole sketchy election process in 2000, I became totally disillusioned and upset with our process of government and our country. I said screw it, sold everything in 2002 and took off with a backpack, thinking I would not return to the US to live, but perhaps find a home in a more “sane” country.
But she could not leave Palestine. She could not get a visa out. She felt utterly trapped, dreams languishing inside. She told me she felt the only thing that was really available to her was to get married, have children and take care of her mother. It was the night I had this conversation with her that I experienced what felt like a huge energetic bucket of ice being poured over my head. It literally felt like a bomb went off inside my skull as I woke up and realized how profoundly privileged, lucky, blessed – however you want to call it – I am to have been born a woman in the United States in this time in history.
With that realization came a deep feeling of responsibility. And a recognition of what an entitled brat I had been the last four years. However, I also felt a lot of compassion for myself because I see the choices that I made came from some wonky belief that I don’t have power in my country and that my voice doesn’t matter. I believed my country was broken. web mentions But the truth is that, when I saw my life through the eyes of another woman living on the other side of the world in a situation completely different than mine, I got to see that indeed, I do have power and the freedom to create my world. I saw that my voice is the tool. I felt a deep sense of appreciation for my country and the hard work of so many people before me who made my rights and liberties to put my creativity and vision forward in the world possible.
I left the Middle East a week later on a ticket back to the US, with only the deep desire to find a way to serve and to find a way to have my voice make a difference, and to help other women find that same freedom and power within to do the same. Years later, I am so grateful I made that choice and I stand in awe of what that intention is creating in my life and in my world.
Joan Barnes, my friend and mentor and the founder of Gymboree, reminded me a few weeks ago how recent it has been since we got the right to vote. It’s been less than 100 years. And a lot of women had to do some serious speaking up for that to happen.
PS – I want to know what you think. How do you feel about “the vote”? Our country? Did you vote today? Why or why not? Who did you vote for, and why did you choose that person? What are your thoughts about what needs to happen to get women’s voices heard on more far reaching scales around the world?
Comment below. I’d love to hear.
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K.C.. I LOVE this post! I hear so many people say “why bother?,” as well as all the hate speech out there with this election. It does make one feel, sometimes, that an individual can’t make that much difference. But I know it can happen. Gore lost by only a little more than 500 votes (and let’s not talk about the Supreme Court!) I voted proudly today and if my candidate doesn’t win (ok, I voted for Obama because … well, he’s one of the good guys!) at least I can’t complain because I did MY part!
I love what you do and I love speaking and some day I hope I can figure out how to do more of it.
xoxo
PS – I’ belong to Dining for Women, an organization that empowers women in 3rd world countries. So yes, I know I’m truly blessed to lve here, even with all the problems. I get so depressed sometimes with the what women are having to bear in the world and if I could find a way to speak to anyone who will listen, that’s what I’d do! Even in the US women still don’t have all the rights we’re due and then there are all those old men who have decided they have a right to tell us what to do with our bodies and our lives! Oh, it makes me so mad, but I won’t quit! I’m going to share your blog post on FB if I can figure out how! xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing all this, Tina! I really hear your commitment to equality, and I so appreciate the perspective on what an incredible thing it is to be an American Woman. Your work in the world via Dining for Women sounds awesome. Would love to know more. Do you have a weblink? Warmest, KC
Hey KC
It’s amazing how often we think our lot in life is the worst there possibly is. My mother always said that the best way to forget your problems is to speak to someone else.
We were at Toastmasters this morning when we heard that Obama has been re-elected and we’re all so thrilled. Please tell him congrats from us when you see him next. 😉
As a white South African the right to vote was always there for me, but standing in line with everyone in 1994 brought home what a truly precious gift it is. If we have the opportunity to vote then it’s our duty to do so.
How wonderful that you were put in a situation that showed you just how good you’ve got it.
Ang 🙂
Wow Angela – what an incredible life experience you have lived through in seeing the major voting and cultural changes in 1994 in your country. Incredible. You have a very up-close and personal look at the value of the right to vote and be heard. Thanks so much for writing in and sharing this story.
Wow, thanks for sharing this window into what brought you to commit to the wonderful work you are doing now. I too feel privileged to live in this country and create the life I am today! As a Life Coach and Spiritual Teacher, I am helping women to use their voice, first personally with me, to tell their truth and their story, and then to use that voice to fuel them into taking the risk of claiming a life of joy and purpose! I hope we meet and work together one day KC <3
Beautiful, Laurel. I love what you are up to and the stand you are making through your work. I hope we get to connect in the future one day too! KC
KC, Thank you for such a lovely article and reminder. I grew up with the belief that it was pointless to vote, that our votes don’t really matter because of the eloctoral system. Before the last election I was listening to a National Public Radio program. There was an older gentleman speaking about his young daughter who had the same belief I did. He expalined how he tried to educate her about how the system works, and that if she doesn’t like the electoral system then vote for someone that wants to change it. Because we have that right! That rocked my world and I’ve been a voter ever since. I try to educate non-voters in that way as well. I’m truly grateful for that gentleman, whoever he was, and I think it’s so important to hear stories about how and why a person choses to vote. Thank you so much for sharing your story.