I Remember

It’s hard for me to believe that seven years ago today I was a sophomore in high school seeing the nation as I knew it about to change forever. It’s almost more difficult to believe that as Michael enters his second class today, he will be in the exact same position I was when the planes crashed into the towers just after 9 AM. Same grade. Same age. Different times.

I was watching a TV show which relived the events of September 11, 2001 and couldn’t help but cry over the event itself and our stupidity today. I remember when we all came together not as Democrats or Republicans; blacks or whites; rich or poor; young or old; but we came together as Americans. Now we sit around our televisions arguing over Sarah Palin’s updo, where she gets her glasses from, and her daughter’s pregnancy. Are these the issues that will impact our future? How is it that nobody asks why Obama doesn’t stay home to “tend to the children?” How come nobody discusses Obama’s style? How come nobody dissects his family and family values? I’m appalled by the masses of people who make a decision for our next leader this fall and who seem to have forgotten the real issues in favor of the Jamie-Lynn Spears-like gossip. I, quite frankly, am happy that Palin supported her daughter in such a difficult decision. Regardless of my personal views on abortion, the important issue here is that Palin is pro-life and did NOT encourage her daughter to have an abortion, which would have been easy. She stuck to her values.

We say that women are equal, but are they? Would this same debate be centered around a man? I doubt it. Perhaps I’m so turned off by the issue because I come from a family of strong, intelligent women and get pissed off when women are still looked at in these ridiculous gender roles from the early 19th century. I cannot believe that she’s being criticized for being a real mother with a real family who has real issues. I think it’s refreshing to see a “not so perfect” American family and a woman who can admit that she’s not perfect, but is motivated and has a vision to make our country a better place. This has gone beyond politics and has become the cover of US Weekly or Star magazines. Hillary was also looked down upon for being “emotional” and unable to handle typical “boys club issues.” How are females around the country not enraged by this? Putting the politics aside, this is an issue of how we see women and it is discouraging us from taking positions of power and supporting our beliefs.

I love my country. I love that I can go to school, practice my religious beliefs, walk the streets without covering my face, and talk about how I feel. However, I fear we will not remember September 11. I fear we will forget what makes our nation great in exchange for the negatives. I fear women will always be viewed as unwelcome in political circles. I fear we will forget what’s at stake. Times are changing. The world is becoming a smaller place. Politics are becoming too “political.” It’s time we take back our country, not from a particular political party, but from an absent-minded and apathetic public. My degree is in Public Relations, which is a vital part of the media. I’m sad that the issues are so sensationalized by the media that we don’t even know what we’re debating anymore. The more I learn about the political system, the more disgusted and enraged I become. Will we ever have another Abraham Lincoln? I doubt it. I’m becoming more and more interested in the political arena with ambitions to change stereotypes and support the country I love so much. There are real issues to be tackled: international relations, energy supplies, environmental concerns, insurance companies, failing schools, and a public who doesn’t feel responsible for its actions. Where are the young people concerned for their future? Their children’s future?

On September 11, 2001, I learned nothing is guaranteed. I learned the world is not the place of my grandparents’ youths. I learned I cannot disagree with the way our country is run if I do nothing to work to change it. I learned the power of one. One person, no matter how small, can make a difference for great good or great evil. One person can make a difference in the life of a child, a school, the environment, a person in need, and maybe even a group of whales swimming around in Puget Sound. I want to go to law school not simply because I want the lifestyle or the career. I want to go to law school because I cannot simply sit back and wait for a difference. I want to be the change I wish to see in the world. I want look to a better future for myself, my family, my country, and my world. The law is about protecting what we see as important. I believe some things are worth protecting and fighting for. I’m ready to fight for what I believe in. I hope my peers and Mikie’s peers are ready to take responsibility for our future and fight for a better America. I hope whoever is elected this November feels the same.

God gave us good brains! It’s time to start using them!

McCain/Palin ‘08