by Leo Lemmer
Member since:
February 10, 2008

A look into America's future

November 04, 2009 02:09 PM EST (Updated: November 04, 2009 02:16 PM EST)
views: 171 | comments: 28

Houston, the fourth largest city in America, is a multicultural city as the rest of America is becoming. Of the three people in the mayoral race,  one is gay, one is black, and one is Hispanic.  Annise Parker, a Lesbian and six-year member of the city council and six years as city controller,  is in the lead. Whoever wins, the person will be a first in Houston. Twenty years ago no one would have believed such could possibly be. In addition, the President is black!

I taught in Houston for eighteen years and witnessed some of the change. One positive is that as people get to know those different from themselves, they lose their prejudices and become tolerant. My  students did not think about black, white, Oriental, Hispanic. They saw classmates as people and as their friends. The young are far more tolerant of gays than the older generations are. More and more young people are coming out, and people are realizing that they are just people.

Ready or not you are witnessing a change in America--I say a change for the good.

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Comments: 28

Steve B. Nov 4, 2009, 2:25pm EST
Good post. I agree.
Steve B. Nov 4, 2009, 2:25pm EST
Btw, I'm 58.
I hope you're right Leo~ meanwhile NJ went Republican for GOV.~ I didn't like either of them~ but the days when an independent or green gets in are still far away it seems~
Thanks for posting to GutterGirls~
Love from Darlene! Nov 4, 2009, 2:30pm EST
Yes, America I am ready for the change.
Chris Decker Nov 4, 2009, 2:40pm EST
Change can be good, but change for change sake isn't. Voting for someone just because they're different doesn't make it better. Instead of looking at race, religion, sexual preference, etc, we should be looking at the individuals concerned.
Ruthi C. Nov 4, 2009, 2:51pm EST
Good point.
Leo Lemmer Nov 4, 2009, 5:44pm EST
The point I was attempting to make is that people are judged by their merit, not by color of skin, etc. I see this as advancement.
Ruthi C. Nov 4, 2009, 5:54pm EST
I know that Leo and I agree with you, wholeheartedly.:-)
Col. George W. Nov 4, 2009, 8:41pm EST
Religion, Sexual Orientation, and Race should never be discussed in a political campaign. They are not pertinant to doing a good job for the people they represent. I've been saying that one for about 60 years now.

On the flip side of that those three should not influence their performance in office either.
Jennifer K. Nov 4, 2009, 2:41pm EST
Great post Leo. It's about time people start seeing people as just that, PEOPLE!!!!!
Bryan B. Nov 4, 2009, 2:56pm EST
Excellent post Leo. We have taught our kids to look at the inside of a person and base their judgments on what they find there. Here is the south its not that common. My Oldest sons first best friend was a young black kid and he currently hangs out with a Hispanic kid who is an awesome kid. The are raised by a overweight tattooed father and mother and their Uncle Ozzy has over 300 tattoos and alot of body piercings. They dont blink an eye in regards to race, religion, sexuality, or how someone looks and that tells me I have done my job.
Ruthi C. Nov 4, 2009, 2:57pm EST
Tolerance, or rather acceptance, of differences should result in the realization that there really is no difference between you and I. When we realize that the makings of each person within is identical to that of ourselves, that is when our change will be for the good. I don't believe that celebrating the election of an individual based on his or her differences is any better than non-election based on same.
Leo Lemmer Nov 4, 2009, 5:45pm EST
I believe that it is celebrating that prejudices are diminishing.
Ruthi C. Nov 4, 2009, 5:58pm EST
I understand, and we're in agreement, that prejudice is diminishing. I guess I was thinking more in terms of believing the change is real when the time comes that those on the ballot are not mentioned in terms of race or sexual preference. To me there is no need to mention it.
Larry M. Nov 4, 2009, 3:04pm EST
People are really mostly nice if they are not afraid. Fear abolishes tolerance.
Jim G. Nov 5, 2009, 12:14am EST
Spot on, Larry.
Chris Brockman Nov 4, 2009, 3:56pm EST
You're really right, Leo, the more we deal with one another as people, the more we have to realize that, in essence, we are the same. One of the best things about this is that eventually we will come to understand what it is that is essentially human and jettison vestigal animal behavior and start acting like rational beings.
You'll find those kinds of changes in metropolitan areas, but it's going to take a while longer for the little burgs and bugtussles to catch up. People who isolate themselves in small communities are of a different mindset.
Sheryl O. Nov 4, 2009, 4:25pm EST
I find my kids and their friends (in their early and mid-20's) have spent so much more time with diverse people - in their schools and colleges, in the cities in which they've lived - and many of the people they know are of mixed-races or mixed nationalities, that they are really very comfortable and have no problems with accepting all as equal. Sexuality is not a big thing, either, for kids of the younger generation.

The one thing that might alter this is if kids grow up with really racist or bigoted parents and other adult role models (like their minister) who try to instill prejudice and fear in them from an early age based on their biases. Some of those kids will grow up and see the light, others will continue to perpetuate the bigotry throughout their life.
jason b. Nov 4, 2009, 8:38pm EST
It sickens me how often liberals intercept elections with race and sexual differences if they are out out the the norm for evolutionary biology, etc, etc... When I vote I only look at their record.. I don't care of they can speak well, hear well, the orientation, what color of skin they have..
Please quit bringing up non-political factors, it does no good for no one.
The fact that a mayoral candidate would be talking their homosexuality is screwed up, what does homosexuality have to do with governing a city..
Leo Lemmer Nov 5, 2009, 11:24am EST
I gave an example of how there is less prejudice in the nation than there was twenty-five years ago, and I celebrate the change..
Bryan B. Nov 5, 2009, 11:34am EST
It has alot to do with it in the days when homosexuals arent given the same rights as everyone else. They will at least have some support on local levels. If sexuality isnt a factor why do male and female politicians run around toting the wife or husband on their arm and the kids attached at their hips. They promote their families and their beliefs so why shouldnt a homosexual be allowed to do the same?

What sickens me is that we live in a country where we have a bill of rights until it doesnt fit someones moral code and then we have a bill of rights for certain individuals while the rest are told "oh well...you dont count."

What sickens me is that we live in a country where the rich have all the rights and delegate who should and shouldnt have health care.

There is alot that should sicken all of us but until everyone wishes the best for everyone and works to help make needed things happen, nothing will ever change.
Sheryl O. Nov 5, 2009, 1:52pm EST
Bravo, Bryan!
Jim G. Nov 5, 2009, 12:17am EST
A great post, Leo.
Heidi S. Nov 5, 2009, 11:44am EST
Excellent post, Leo. I'm 52, and was raised by a mother who was very prejudiced against non-caucasians, non-christians, and non-heterosexuals. Even as a small child I failed to see what difference it made - I liked everybody for who they were, and couldn't wrap my head around why people such as my own mother could feel so strongly about it. I still feel the same way. Why this change took so long is beyond me.
Vicente Duque Nov 17, 2009, 1:11pm EST

Beautiful Post Leo.

You are a Powerful Force in Gather.com .... For Kindness, Humanity, Decency, Honesty.

America has a beautiful Future, because that Lady has Sons like You.

Continue your Good Works !

Vicente
amy s. Dec 1, 2009, 6:52pm EST
just stopped by to say "hi"

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