When I moved into this neighborhood that the average household here made more than 250K per year. I knew it was a conservative area. I knew it was mostly white upper middle class married couples with grown children. I knew it might be hard to leave our very diverse middle working class neighborhood chalk full of young families. I knew the chances were good my daughter might be the only brown face in her classroom and I knew it wasn't likely she'd have many friend's with two mommies or daddies. I just didn't expect it to quite feel like this. Just about every lawn on our block is now sporting a Yes on 8 sign. 4more popped up this morning. I guess I shouldn't take it so personally, but I am. It hurts in ways that have never hurt or affected me before. We are a strong hard working family. Ten years and four children later. To be seen as treated as second class citizens. To have people "afraid" that children might learn in school about ALL the different types of families(which is false anyway). To see my daughter's reactions to the commercials(nearly all of which are false and misleading) and signs. How do you explain this to your 5year old? How do you not take it personally when your neighbors think you aren't a real family and don't deserve the same civil rights that they do?
8 comments:
Thank you for being the reminder in your neighborhood that their votes have consequences for real people.
Do you feel safe putting a NO on 8
sign in your yard?
I hear you loud and clear. I have a "Just Married, No on 8" painted on my rear windshield. Since we can't put sigs up in our yard (we live in a condo.) that's the best I could do for now - that and drive around proudly displaying my feelings.
This is crazy to admit but I just read your blog from start to finish. Don't ask me how long it took. You would know how long I sat on my but reading.
All I can say is that your are a incredibly amazing person. I wish their was more genuine mothers like you on the planet.
I will enjoy reading your blog from here on out.
Thank you!
p.s. I cried like a baby over baby A
I'm guessing the "8" is in reference to gay marriage? That's a shame. While everyone has a right to express their opinion, I hate that it's all around you. Perhaps you should express your opinion too! Be proud of your family and show your neighbors that you deserve the same rights as them.
As for your children, just remind them that all it takes is love to make a family.
Are these signs right across from your house? I'd be so pissed. Do you have any contact with your neighbors? I'm so sorry. Can you put up a sign?
You have every right to feel angry. I hate it when people tell me to not take it personal, when you are treating me as a second class citizen it IT'S PERSONAL.
Of course it's personal. This is your life and your family. The bumper stickers were bad enough around here and it didn't even make the ballot in Mass, thank God. I don't know what I would do if we were surrounded with yard signs and commercials, trying to explain it to our child. It's hard to be a lone voice, but they should know that this hurts a good family in their neighborhood. Good luck!
I don't think you can not take it personally. You just have to keep living your life and knowing in your heart that these people have small minds. Hey, c'mon out to Texas....Austin is fabulous!
Post a Comment