A Mat-Su teen speaks out

[Blue_In_AK]

The Mst-Su, for those who don't know, is the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, north of Anchorage, home of the governor and a hotbed of rabid Palinistas. This is one brave little girl...

http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2008/11/17/opinion/columnists/doc491d0c71aa9b4424387056.txt

Being a Caucasian high school girl sometimes makes me forget a few things.

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in social life, school projects, homework, and studies.

Sometimes I can forget what America looks like. Sometimes it takes a hateful word, a racial slur, or an act of disrespect to bring me to realization and clear my eyes and see. Sometimes it takes acts and images of hate to penetrate my daily thoughts and clear my mind of its clutter.

In 1955, a Baptist preacher by the name of Martin Luther King Jr. boycotted buses because a brave black woman refused to get up and move for a white man. In 1963, people came together to march to Washington in protest of segregation; and in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial that man uttered the words “I have a dream.” Then, on April 4, 1968, the same man was shot to death. Now on Nov. 4, 2008, Sen. Barack Obama was elected the first African-American president of the United States of America.

Nov. 4 was a momentous moment for me. I went to the Wasilla Sports Complex for what was called a community event. We were told it was non-partisan because it’s a city building. However, once inside, it seemed as if it was a Republican-only event. Despite this, we stayed. Although I am too young to vote, I sat at the Sports Complex to see who would be the new president. I felt joy as I saw Sen. Barack Obama’s electoral points grow and grow. I clapped for and was impressed by Senator McCain’s graceful speech and his call for unity and support for the new president-elect.

<snip>

http://www.frontiersman.com/articles/2008/11/17/opinion/columnists/doc491d0c71aa9b4424387056.txt


Please read this and leave a comment for her. She really deserves support for speaking out.

[Mabus]

1. Giving it a K&R

so I can find it later to comment on the young lady's blog.

[uppityperson]

2. k&r, Good for her. She better watch herself as Palin&supporters are nasty.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Oh, yes, they are.

We can't bring this woman down soon enough for me.

[StreetKnowledge]

4. Good owrk and good luck to her.

Anybody else going to invite her to DU, or should I? :hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. There is hope for the future in the 49th state

with children as wise as this one.

[Chulanowa]

7. You'd think that...

But most of the "bright young Alaskans" end up becoming "bright young Oregonians / Washingtonians" shortly after they leave home. Alaska's not exactly the land of opportunity, and is only slightly smarter than Utah, politically.

[juno jones]

8. I've observed that

from the other side. Living in a WA university town, I've worked a number of younger adults who grew up in Alaska. As idyllic as their childhoods admittedly were, most had no desire to return.

I suspect the same mechanism is at work as the one that assures the 'heartland' is disproportionately red because so many bright young midwesterners need to move to more liberated pastures.

[Blue_In_AK]

9. Well, two of my "bright young Alaskans" are still here

even though they've been out of the house for years. Granted, I lost one to California -- but two out of three ain't bad. :) They're ALL good Democrats, in any event.

[mimitabby]

6. when can she run for governor?

[barbtries]

10. wise beyond her years

thanks for sharing.

[badgerpup]

11. I liked this comment best.

Roci wrote on Nov 18, 2008 3:58 PM:

" If I had any pull with the transition team, I would find something for Waverli to do, and then as soon as she finishes school, I'd see to it that she gets an internship in the Obama White House. We need people like her in our government. Why don't all of us write Waverli an endorsement? Go to change.gov and tell them about this.
Good government is supposed to begin with the best people we can send. Let's tell Barack Obama that we found him someone special!
Roci "

:fistbump:

So...anybody got a Congresscritter on speed-dial?

[BrklynLiberal]

12. K&R

[ClayZ]

13. K and R

[Ichingcarpenter]

14. Rosie Parks didn't have support on the Bus

It takes one small person to stand up for all sometimes

Good for her

[kiteinthewind]

15. Kick!

[acmavm]

16. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? How could one kid be this

smart, kind, patriotic and others be such shits. Her parents have raised her well.

[Alcibiades]

17. It goes to show that we should be careful making

too many generalizations. There are lots of good folks out there, even in the reddest parts of the reddest states.

It's interesting to note the racism she observes against blacks. I'm sure she's right, but when I lived in Anchorage 20 years ago, most of the racism I saw was directed against "Eskimos." Of course, I'm sure those sorts of folks have their hands full, deciding who to hate on any given day.

[Dystopian]

18. KandR. Beautiful. n/t

[Contrary1]

19. Our nation dodged a big bullet:

"... we missed the beginning of the speech. Then half way through this historic speech, former Mayor Keller turned down the audio of President-elect Obama and put on a call from Governor Palin."

How disrespectful was that? Palin calls while Obama is speaking. She had to know. She had to be watching him. But her sense of self-importance trumped the desire of those present at the event who wanted to hear his words.

[PatSeg]

23. I was thinking the same thing

The whole world knew Obama was speaking. Palin couldn't wait a few minutes before making the phone call? How rude and disrespectful!

[Uncle Joe]

20. Thanks for sharing, Blue_In_AK

Her parents should be proud.

Kicked and recommended.

[TygrBright]

21. Silver linings...

The story Waverli tells about her classmates' ugly hate speech hit me like a kick in the gut. For many reasons, not the least of which is sorrow that those youngsters have already limited themselves so tragically.

But there is always a silver lining. Darkness like this calls out the light-bearers. Waverli is an especially potent light-bearer. She and the hundreds commenting on her letter give me great hope.

appreciatively,
Bright

[MonteLukast]

22. Too late to rec...

... but, what an amazing young woman! I wish a bright future for her.

[bertman]

24. Too late to rec, but KICK for a beautifully written piece. Not only am I stirred and amazed

by her ability to THINK and HAVE COMPASSION FOR OTHERS, I am also floored by her command of the written language. Her composition is far above most 16 year olds that I have read, plus she is grammatically correct and her spelling is perfect. Wherever she goes to school, she is learning well.

I agree with Roci. She is a special person. Let's not waste that talent.

[MasonJar]

25. As a just retired high school teacher, I must write to thank you for your very

intelligent and thoughtful letter of comment. It would be a true pleasure to have had a treasure like you in any row of my classroom. What a public spirited leader of the future you can become with your ability to express yourself with elegance and eloquence. I forsee you as the ultimate type of Wasilla resident who will bring recognition to your community.

[DeSwiss]

26. We can only hope that this is a letter...

...from the future Governor from the State of Alaska.

:)

[FreedomRain]

27. More on this amazing young woman

http://wavigoestoeurope.com/waverli.html