Are we crossing too many boundaries in this race?

I am completely overdue, we are two days away from the elections and I just got my post together. While some are voting early, others are facing voting restrictions and long lines in Florida, due to the elimination of Sunday voting before the elections and a Republican law that effectively shortens early voting from fourteen days to eight. Thank you Governor Scott, that was very smart of you then, wasn’t it? Many others still without power, are picking up the pieces from Sandy, and while Governor Chris Christie and the President are caught in a mutual admiration( some say Christie is looking to run in 2016- well, whatever his reasons) for each other, I have been talking to friends and family all over the country. Their observations and opinions are so interesting and diverse, but a common thread lingered after each talk, and it was about a basic lack of respect. Many of my posts in this race 2012 blogging project are about finding common ground, trying to work together and the idea of cultivating vision for a better future. With what may be my final post on Race 2012, I wanted to blog one more time and add my two cents worth to the issue of race and boundaries.

My feelings these days are ambivalent… I haven’t felt much like blogging and I don’t have a lot to say. For, somewhere along the way, after three debates, much campaigning and many ads, I have lost something. I can’t seem to find it, or find the words to describe it. It is akin to feeling let down. By whom you ask? I don’t know. However, here is what I have been thinking –  whatever your party affiliation is, respect for yourself and another human being, irrespective of race or background, is above all, important. Sadly, I have not seen much respect. A war of words is to be expected, but racially motivated signs, decals and t-shirts are not.  For me, at least, politics should be based on decency, healthy disagreement and a general respect for your opponent. When George Bush went to war and Bill Clinton had his ( we still love him, you can admit it) indiscretions, it was never quite as mean-spirited as it is this time around. I really don’t like the trend of um, addressing the President or his office disrespectfully, and talking down to him as if he didn’t belong in the White House. It doesn’t matter who has the title or the office, the person who leads this country- until the results of the elections reveal otherwise- should be treated with honor, even though you might not agree with his policies. One of things I found quite disconcerting was when a friend mentioned being taken aback, not surprised, though, at a t-shirt someone was wearing at a rally. It said ‘Put The “white” Back in the White House‘ and another saw a decal in Arizona, which  said Vote For The Real American- Mitt Romney. I don’t know what it means to you, but to me it means, people are thinking in terms of race and not in terms of performance. I feel as though too many boundaries have been crossed now and there is no turning back. A lack of respect, of decency and of kindness is a poor reflection of character, and I have seen a lot of it, these past few months. From all types of people – ordinary, political and the media. While there is a left and right and even a middle, disagreements are common, but a blatant use of derogatory language is unacceptable and irresponsible. I don’t even know if it is possible, but do you suppose we can come together and celebrate our differences, not just on the surface but deep down, or does this recurring theme indicate that we are too far gone? What say you?

Please check out my blog pal Monica Medina’s page for a list of bloggers and their posts on the race 2012 blogging project :http://monicastangledweb.com/the-race-2012-blogging-project/