I wonder what my parents would think of the election

My mother died in 1974 and my father in 1986 but I wonder what they would think of this election. Voting was important in my family. One of my earliest memories is going to the polls with my mother when I was about 3 or 4. I remeber walking across the street and down the block to a house I hadn’t visited before. I don’t remember many details, but I do know that it was a very important occasion.

In Seventh Grade I remember my History teacher, Mrs. Monticello, asking the class who was Republican and who was Democrat. Then she said something that has stuck with me ever since. I don’t recall the exact words but I remember that she told us we were wrong. That until we were old enough to vote, we weren’t either. We may be identifying with what how our parents aligned themselves, but it wasn’t yet our choice. I think it could be argued that Seventh Grade is not too early to have a thought out opinion, but for the most part she was right. Almost 40 years later and I’m still trying to figure out what I am politically.

My older brother challeneged my parent’s Republican ideology by protesting against Vietnam and for Civil Rights. I was too young (and sheltered) to know how politically active he may have been at the time, but I do remember one story. David was a gifted musician and earned some money as a church organist. One year in the late 60’s/ early 70’s he was fired becasue on his musical choices. On Civil Rights Sunday he choose to play “We Shall Overcome” for the offertory. I guess that even California wasn’t as open as it could have been at the time.

In a few days we will elect either the first African American President or the first woman Vice President. My parents were born only a few years after women were granted the right to vote. I wonder what my parents would think of this historic election. I wonder what political discussions we may have had if my parents had lived into my adulthood. Who would they choose to vote for? What issues would they feel were most important?

How will my children remember my political views? Do they know what I really think, who I support and why?