Lynn Rasmussen - Learning Strategist

The country is polarized, neighbors are polarized, and entire families are polarized.

My friend spoke to her father in southern Indiana. He said that he’s undecided but he can’t talk with anyone about politics because it causes trouble. She wrote a letter to her father about why she is voting for Obama. Her sister wrote a long, furious letter back supporting McCain/Palin and attacking my friend.

Last week my mother told me that she’s voting for McCain because of Sarah Palin. She also added that Obama doesn’t know anything.

I lost it. How could my own mother be so ignorant? Even if you disagree with him on the issues, you have to acknowledge Obama’s intelligence and knowledge!

But then I settled down. My mom can’t relate to the Harvard Law Review or how community organizing plays out as a national movement or an African American man’s life in Hawaii, Chicago, and Washington. As a white, small town mother of five, my mother understands Sarah Palin.

I understand Barack Obama. I have been a community organizer. I live in Hawaii where people of mixed race feel at home, where white people like me are in the minority.

I feel a little sad. The most important topic of the time is off limits between my family members and me.  Although it’s heartbreaking to see such division, fear, and anger, it’s part of a process.

America’s growing pains.

Anger doesn’t help. Understanding does.