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VP Debate Reaction

I had never really thought of myself as privileged until recently. Had you asked me just five years ago if I was privileged, I most likely would have said no. In fact, I may have even said the opposite.

I was born on July 30th, 1985 in Southfield, Michigan. There is nothing particularly unusual about this, except that I was born two and-a-half months early. I weighed only three pounds, two ounces, so the mere fact that I’m alive today is a miracle. I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at about one and-a-half and got my first walker at age two. I went to physical and occupational therapy from an early age, in order to keep my body strong, and to learn how to do everyday things, such as buttoning buttons and tying shoes, that were difficult for me. I had to wear braces on my legs and I could not often go out in public without someone, most often children, staring at me or asking, “What happened to you?” I could not even attend Kindergarten because none of the schools in my area were accessible and all had stairs. I say all this not to draw attention to myself or throw a pity party, but rather to show you what my life was like and to explain why I did not think of myself as privileged.

My parents are white, middle-class Christians. My Mom is the fourth of seven children and is the best mom I know. My Dad is a brilliant entrepreneur who, at age fifty, has only worked for other people for three years of his life. They raised me in their Christian faith, teaching me to love God and appreciate what I had, which was plenty. I always had good food to eat, a warm house and bed to sleep, and nice clothes to wear. But as a child, all this seemed rather ordinary to me. The people we associated with were just like us: white, middle-class Christians. I did not think of myself as privileged because I didn’t know any other way.

When I was nine, we moved from Michigan to Ohio. At first it was very difficult for me to leave my friends and move to a new state. But I soon adjusted and made new friends. The homeschool group I was part of and the church we attended were great sources of fun for me. I soon fit right in.

But, somewhere around age twelve I hit a snag: I wanted to be normal. I wanted to run and jump just like other kids my age and didn’t understand why I couldn’t. I took every offer of help, however kind it was, as an insult and did not understand why people thought they had to do things for me. I distinctly remember sitting in the bathroom, crying because I did not want my dad to put a handrail in garage. Instead of appreciating the fact that he was trying to help me, I complained and cried because I wanted to do it myself, without assistance.

Well, somehow, I’m not sure how exactly, I came out of that period of my life and began to accept myself. I realized that, even though I didn’t know what it was, God had a purpose for making me the way I am, disability and all. In seventh grade, I began attending a small private school and went there for three years. I loved it! The students were friendly, the classes were challenging, and the teachers made me feel loved and valued.

But soon, my dad’s business no longer provided the financial support we needed and it had to close. Unfortunately, the job possibilities in Ohio were slim to none at the time and we had to move. To Virginia. I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my body. I would rather die than leave the job, school, and friends I loved so dearly to pack up and move to a new state. But it couldn’t be helped.

So, we packed up and moved to Virginia and I’ve never felt so alone in my life. Granted, I did have one friend here, but she was different; she was family. I did not make friends easily this time.

After almost a year, I began to feel normal again. I finally had some very good friends and things were good again.

In 2004, three years after moving to Virginia, we moved into our current house in Downtown Roanoke. It is an old fixer-upper that was built in 1915. This move was a good one for our family because the house is so large it allowed my parents to move the business out of its office and into our home. The move also brought us closer to The Acts 2 Ministry, which is an inner-city ministry where my mom and I volunteered and my sister was on staff. It was through The Acts 2 Ministry that I first began to appreciate just how privileged I am.

I had volunteered at Acts 2 for a short time when we first moved to Virginia, but became discouraged and only worked until the end of the school year. The kids in the after-school program I worked at did not seem to respect me and I didn’t know how to change that. They were from a culture completely different from my own and I did not know how to relate to them. But when my sister went on staff two years later, things changed. My sister knew my gifts and strengths, as well as my weaknesses. She was able to put me in a place where I could be used fully and really get to know the kids. These kids changed my life. They showed that not everyone is like me. These kids did not come from the Christian background I was so used to. They were not white or middle-class. They were black kids from the bad parts of town. They were bright kids who were not doing well in school for reasons way beyond their control. They were kids with behavior problems. They often got evicted from their homes and wondered where their next meal was coming from. They were kids whose friends and older siblings were in detention centers.

These kids opened my eyes to things I had previously only seen on TV. They showed me how privileged I really am. No, my parents are not rich. Yes, I have a disability. But I know that I can go home to find food in the refrigerator. I know I have a bed to sleep in and clothes to wear. I know I will not get evicted from my house. I know I have parents and siblings who love me and will never leave me. I know I have a God who will never forsake me, and I know I can succeed. That is why I am privileged.

 


Interviews show that Thursday's vice-presidential debate did nothing to sway already decided voters, but Obama may have gained a slight edge with those who remain undecided.

The interviews took place shortly after Thursday's debate, and featured three college-age women with three very different opinions. All three women are devout Christians and first time presidential voters.

All three participants were impressed with the level of respect the candidates showed each other and the moderator. Both candidates remained professional throughout, answered questions within the time given, and for the most part, strayed from negativity.

Rebeka Uliana, a 20-year-old McCain supporter, was particularly impressed with how real Gov. Sarah Palin is, and admits that Palin is one of the main reasons she supports McCain. “She's not a politician, she's herself. She is less experienced than Biden, but that's why she's needed; she will really make changes,” Uliana said.

The debate did leave her with questions, however. She wished education had been discussed and would like to see the candidates's budget and health care plans in detail.

21-year-old Atlee Barringer thought both candidates had good answers to most questions, but was surprised at the similarity of some of them.

Barringer supports the Democratic Party because of social issues like health care. She cares greatly about the environment, global warming, alternative fuel, etc. Therefore, she appreciated it when Sen. Biden admitted global warming was our fault.

“We have no good reason not to recycle” and do our part, she said.

She was also impressed with the educational quality of the debate. “If you hadn't watched anything about the election before now, you could become pretty well-informed just through the debate,” she said. But she also said she wished more light had been shed on greenhouse gases and global warming.

The educational quality of the debate proved useful to 19-year-old Stephanie Anderson, who admits she didn't follow election news until the debate. Anderson went into the debate undecided – and still is. However, based solely on the debate, she is leaning toward Obama/Biden.

“Biden's experience really showed and his answers were more to the point. Palin focused too much on Alaska and not the bigger nation,” she said. She also said that the debate was not enough for her to make a decision. “I need to do more research and read up on the candidates,” she said.