We are here!

“We are here! We are here! We are here!”

Last night, for the first time in 27 years, I put glasses on. I didn’t know my vision was bad, in fact I thought I had the eyesight of a hawk. I thought I could see everything – but I was wrong.

I have never been particularly vocal about politics, mainly because I don’t like to create confrontation and I have never understood why people bicker back and forth knowing there will never be any resolve. I am passionate about a few political subjects and tend to favor feature focused articles over hard news stories. I'm a pacifist - or so I thought.

Yesterday afternoon I drug a handful of friends with me to the Texas State Capital to witness the scuttlebutt that had dominated my Twitter feed all weekend. We ambled around the Capital Rotunda and patiently waited to be seated in the gallery. Having no extensive experience, or knowledge, on the political process (outside of West Wing and The Good Wife) it took me a few beats to feign understanding. 

Senator Wendy Davis stood, in a room of predominately male counterparts, and read letters from the people of her state. Most of the stories were firsthand accounts of personal experiences with abortions, and others were simply words of encouragement and support. I brought Gabel, my 10year old son, with me to give him the opportunity to witness something outside of his normal scope. Like any kid in his age bracket, he glued his attention to the iPad. It wasn't until the second call to order that his interest shifted and he watched the verbal strategy unfold on the Senate floor. He was fascinated, and overwhelmed me with questions. "Who is that? Why won't they let her sit down? What is a filibuster? How will we win?"

The democratic support Davis received in her attempt to plight SB5 was outstanding. Senator Watson, of Austin, fought for his colleague and her ability to administer a successful filibuster. Davis was served unsubstantiated and bogus (in my most humble opinion) calls that cut her 13 hour performance shortly after 10pm. But with the help of her fellow Senators in blue, and the audience in orange, Texas successfully put SB5 to bed. At least until Perry calls a second secret session (which, sources state, will commence July 1st). What I find most amusing is the republican party's earnestness with which they upheld Davis's adhering to the rules, yet they attempted to submit and pass their vote AFTER the midnight deadline. Rules are rules, no? My 10year old understand that.

On the way out of the Capital, Gabel took my hand and admitted, "mom, I don't really understand what happened. Did we win?" While the topic discussed on the Senate floor was, in my opinion, too delicate to explain to a 10year old, I still felt he deserved an honest and educated answer. So I explained to him that we were fighting for the woman's right to choose: to choose what happens to her body and to choose what will be best for her. He seemed to understand that. He then said, "So, it's kind of like the Civil War? I mean, with two American parties fighting one another?" I didn't put much thought into it at the time, but as we came home and I tucked that sweet face into bed I couldn't put the simile to rest. I sat in my room for a long time last night, mulling the analogy over. And you know what? My kid is a genius. 

The fight over Senate Bill 5 in the Texas Senate is similar to the Civil War. The war on slavery, and civil rights 100 years later, is nearly identical to the battles we are waging against women's health care. In 1861 the Union and the Confederacy shed blood all over the south in a fight to abolish slavery. It was a fight over whether or not another group of American individuals had the right to make decisions for themselves. Now, 150+ years later, the government is engaging in intellectual and judicial battles of the same caliber - whether or not a group of American individuals should be allowed the right to make their own choices regarding their body, their health care options, and their future. "The white man" is a common slur pointed at the male members of the republican party, and it isn't always a founded dig. But when an army of southern men determine whether or not I have access to certain health care options - I have a problem. Men have no business putting their hands, or their laws, inside MY vagina. Unless you are doing a pap smear and delivering my baby, keep your mits to yourself. Senator Leticia R. Van de Putte of San Antonio asked, at 11:44pm, “Mr President…I would like to know how many times a woman Senator on this floor must raise her hand in order to be heard above the voices of her male colleagues?” How appropriate; she questions the obvious disregard for female participation while arguing a bill discussing women's ability to voice their own choices. 

Life opportunities such as this are the best learning platforms for our children. I am unorthodox when compared to other parents, but I believe that my son should experience the elements of life as they present themselves. I tote him around everywhere with me, and as a result he is well-balanced and constantly curious about the things building around him - two qualities that will mold him into a fine young man and maybe, just maybe, send him to the house to represent the voice of his generation. 

So again I will don my spectacles and quote the eloquent prose of Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who - "We are here! We are here! We are here!"