*sigh*
It’s not a great day to be a North Carolinian, I’m afraid. I have tons to say about yesterday’s vote, but sleep deprivation and coherent sentence structure do not go hand in hand. So instead I’ll share with you this beautiful letter written by my sister-in-law. With the exception of her choice of college basketball team *cough* I agree with every word.
But I’m proud of the 42% of my fellow North Carolinians that voted against hate and bigotry. And I’m awful proud of my sister-in-law.
Dear North Carolina.
I am so disappointed in you. Let me say that this doesn’t come from some Santa Monica, Ca. chick, nor from a gal down in Key West, or even from some urban Manhattanite. It comes from me, a Carolina girl through and through. I was born in the ‘old North state’. My family was among the first land holders along the Black River and my roots in North Carolina go deep into the red clay of my beloved state. I grew up in Charlotte, and Dunn, and Raleigh and Meat Camp, yeah, I’ve seen good portions of the state. I’ve heard the Gullah on the outer banks and Ray Hicks spin stories in Boone. I went to school at UNC-Chapel Hill and I bleed Carolina Blue every April. My wedding was held on the Outer Banks and dogwood blossoms decorated the tables. I love North Carolina.
But today – this moment – this decision, has made me so ashamed. Have we forgotten that we were “First in Freedom” ? Have we forgotten the Mecklenberg declaration that stated that we the people of North Carolina would determine our own destiny? That we were strong enough to stand on our own to embrace our differences, to overcome our differences and stand together. I believe we still can, I hope we still can.
But my belief is a little battered now, a little bruised. Have our hearts been poisoned and turned cold? Despite the evidence I hope not, because I still want to believe that we are what is best of the South. Free from the bigotry and fear and hate that marks so many Southern stereotypes.
I can still hear Charles Kuralt praising us –The near land, the dear land, whatever fate, The blessed land, the best land, the Old North State!
Please, let us be that again.
-Marie Stewart
it just makes me tired. and sad. I don’t understand people.
from what I heard on the news, most people who voted for the amendment did not know that it also prohibits civil unions or any other type of partnerships. for those that did not know of this prohibition, the majority said they would not have voted for it had they known.
yet another triumph for hatred, bigotry, and ignorance. I can only hope that the fed gov. will eventually recognize marriage for all and so trump these petty state laws.
well put! with all that we as humans really have to fear, how can people take issue with the love and union of two other human beings. it’s disgraceful.
What a great letter! Your SiL rocks!
Hear her! Hear her!
So embarrassing to live here. They’re protecting us…from what? Hoping we can get an anti-bigot amendment during the general election.
Sadly, in a democracy, stupid people’s votes count the same.
As Colbert said – you can rest assured that all the lesbian and gay couples are now parted and crying themselves to sleep alone. And they are strengthening your lame ass hetero marriage one tear at a time-
It makes me sad but then again when the president can come out and eloquently state that he thinks that same sex couples should be able to marry- that’s a pretty awesome day.