Interesting encounter on my lunch hour today, while in my car... (uplifting story)

[arbusto_baboso]

I'm a white male in my early 40s, and due to my years in the Army, I still feel much more comfortable with a buzzcut.

But as a result, a lot of folks mistake me for a skinhead type or a rightie, at the very least.

So, a lot of people are surprised when they see my face behind the wheel of a car festooned with BOTH a "US ARMY SPECIAL FORCES" License plate frame, and liberal political bumper stickers, including an Obama-Biden sticker.

Well, today, while running errands at lunch, a car pulled up next to me at a red light. An elderly black woman rolled down her window. When she saw my face, she widened her eyes a bit in surprise, but asked me where I got my Obama sticker.

I gave her the location of my local congresscritter's office, and she thanked me. I replied, "Sure. Glad to help," and smiled at her.

She smiled back - a truly dazzling smile - and said, "Thank you, young man, you've just made my day."

I hope electing Obama can help us start to REALLY heal the racial rifts we have in this country.

[livetohike]

1. Nice story! Thanks for sharing it

:hi:

[BrklynLiberal]

2. That is an "uplifting" story. Thanks for sharing...

[BlueState]

3. Good story!

If telling her where to get a bumper sticker made her day, imagine what a lift she'll get when Obama is elected.

Let's all make sure this is one happy lady in Novemeber!

[Shanti Mama]

25. I think the day-making came from who was behind the wheel.

[Chimichurri]

4. I love these kinds of stories. I hope so too!

[Solomon]

5. Thanks. I've been telling people that I went to the acceptance speech

in Denver and it made me feel like when Malcolm X went to Mecca. It blew his mind because he saw white muslims worshipping there. When I went to Denver, all racial stereotypes were shattered. I saw rednecks for Obama. Very old white women and old white men for Obama. There were people that before Denver, I would have sworn were racists, but now you certainly can't tell from looking at someone. The world is now upside down.

I feel great. Like the damn is finally about to burst. When I see pictures of McCain's campaign, I see no colors. At Barack's rallies, I see America.

[Delphinus]

6. Solomon,

what a wonderful description - yes, America is represented at the Obama rallies.

Lucky you for being there in Denver - I still tear up when I remember him coming out and beginning his speech.

[monmouth]

8. I could watch that part of the tape in an endless loop for hours...LOL...n/t

[PatGund]

16. You mean like:

http://punditkitchen.com/2008/10/23/political-pictures-diversity-everyones-invited/

[Lady-Damai]

7. Awwww.......

:hug:

[Orsino]

9. A vet followed me home yesterday!

He turned into my subdivision and even into my driveway behind me, to ask where he could get his own bumper sticker (having had no luck on the Obama site). I'm glad he showed up, as he was unaware there was a local office, so I told him where to try. He's a retired Vietnam-era vet, and proudly told me that Colin Powell was his major back in the day.

[arbusto_baboso]

11. I've told this story before, but, My Vietnam Vet stepdad.....

Who hasn't voted for a Democratic Presidential candidate since JFK, is voting for Obama in this election. AND he lives in Arkansas!

[tigereye]

13. I've had a lot of folks ask where to get posters, yard signs, etc.

there is a really great air of excitement! I saw a lot of Obama signs, lots of young people at rallies, and the campaign apparatus is very, very impressive.



nice to hear these positive stories!

[truedelphi]

10. Thank you for the service to our country. And I have found

That most of the time, anyone with a Vietnam Vet decal, bumper sticker etc is fully innoculated to thinking progressively.

Regardless if they have a beard and hair to their waist, or if they are buzz cut And of course these days a lot of Vietnam era Vets are balding.

[arbusto_baboso]

12. Not Vietnam for me. Desert Storm.

But my Vietnam Vet stepdad is voting Obama, and he hasn't voted for a Dem for Prez since Kenendy!

[truedelphi]

26. Arbusto, do you think that the experience in Iraq is a radicalizing

For people in your generation as Vietnam was for mine??

Like, are any of your former service buddies for Obama?

[starroute]

14. These stories always make me feel like crying

This is maybe the third one I've seen at DU in the last week or so. They've all gotten me emotional.

I think my reaction may mean that, without my having ever consciously realized it, there's been an estrangement between black and whites -- even liberal, non-racist whites -- in America for the last 40 years. Because the last time I can recall anything like that sense of being on the same side was during the anti-Vietnam war protests of the late 60's.

It's like having an ongoing feud with an old friend or family member, where you never see them any more, or speak only formally if events bring you together, and you tell yourself you don't really miss them. But then something happens to resolve the misunderstanding, end the hurt feelings, or whatever the cause was -- and suddenly there is a rush of emotion you never knew you were holding black.

Racism in America doesn't just affect the racists or those they turn it on. It deprives all of us of part of our family. And the fact that we're not the racists doesn't help one bit -- it just means we have no way to heal the wound.

The interaction between black and white cultures has been one of the most fruitful sources of achievement in this country's history -- the source of most of what is genuinely great in America. If Obama's candidacy can take the hatred and resentment out of that interaction, what might we not become?

[casus belli]

15. It speaks to the power of a campaign that seeks to connect people...

rather than tear them apart. McCain doesn't get it, his party doesn't get it. Maybe they never will. It's not a "formula" or a specific aspect of the campaign that has caught fire. It is that people hear Obama speak about hope and change and unity and they KNOW he means what he says. It's not something they can duplicate with a slogan. For too long, politics in this country has sought to divide us, and this campaign represents a paradigm shift. A truly inclusive campaign that seeks to join us all in focusing on what we have in common rather than focusing on how we differ.

Thanks for sharing your story. :)

[RayOfHope]

17. That isa great story! Yesterday on my way to work I was behind a car that had

an NRA sticker, a US Marines sticker, and an Obama/Biden sticker--and it was the one from moveon.org. That made it extra sweet!

[DeschutesRiver]

18. thanks for sharing - this is the kind of world I want to see more of

it may take some time, but better late than never.

[liberalla]

19. I have such high hopes for America finally moving forward with an Obama

Presidency. Healing the racial rifts as you say, and bringing social justice to all areas where equality is denied and prejudice is accepted.

Your story made my day. Thanks!

[Liberalboy]

20. Awesome story!

Thank you for sharing, and thank you for your service :-)

[Arugula Latte]

21. Love these stories. ... Related ...

I wear my Obama pin out in public. I'm a white woman. Sometimes I catch the eye of passing African Americans, and we sort of smile at each other. I like to think we're sharing an "Obama Moment." :)

[stillcool]

22. I wear mine all the time too...

I catch vibes everywhere. From a lifted face, to downcast eyes, but it's not people of color that zing me. Yesterday the guy at the deli called my number, and when he noticed the button I swear he got a spring in his step, and turned way polite on me. Then a woman I see every week, and who always acknowledges me, had a hard time choking out 'may I help you'. I get a kick out of it

[krkaufman]

23. Great story. Thanks for posting. n/t

[Shanti Mama]

24. Brings tears to my eyes

I'm an old sap but, truly, these kind of stories really move me. Thank you.