America's Original Sins

Many people, tourists and Americans alike, visit the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., but few know that it is a product of slave labor. As we grow older and study the circumstances and personalities of our nation's founders, we discover that many were slave owners and that from inception our nation's principles excluded glaring equalities and common human decencies. In fashions all too obvious our nation has dealt to cure its original sins. This November's election is another time for expiation.

Much is written these days about our young and how they may vote come the fall. Political wisdom says that any candidate who relies on the youth vote is a fool; focus on the elderly who turn out reliably. The young are fickle; the elderly set in their ways. Today's youth are living in a world of ever-changing impression delivered in nano-seconds, don't carry historical baggage and eschew societal norms and biases, especially if manifested in their parents. While this profile is not sociologically unique, what is unique is that in this election the young have an articulate black candidate to cheer and vote for. The young finally have a political hero their "own age." As a vehicle for enthusiasm and self-identification, Barack Obama becomes a symbol and symbols are difficult to brush aside let alone ignore.

Contrary to popular image, John Kennedy was not elected by the young 1960. He couldn't have because American youths didn't vote. But today they know, and the latest primaries prove they do vote. You can hear some of them saying to interviewers, "It's about time." Now, a splash of realpolitik: Yes, President Bush's contemptible presidency is a factor; Yes, the Iraq war is repulsive. But young voters are more 'for' a new candidate than against history. Ingrained in this 'for' disposition is the tenet that after 200 some-odd years the sins of the fathers may yet again be about to be wiped clean from the slate. Another bit of unfinished business for a unfinished nation. And even for the elder voters and the old pros that follow politics, moments like this can get their blood flowing. I hope the young can inspire their parents, who are (irony?) the same folks born of the rapidly changing '60's.

John