Just voted.... Had a discussion...

Just voted - all Democrat (of course), and on the "non-partisan" school board ticket I voted for the "Teacher Approved" slate.

Had a discussion - with one of the campaigners outside the polling place. I always talk to the campaigners (of either party) and ask "probing" questions about the candidates, their positions and policy in general. It's interesting to find out their views and motivations, and I get the sense they appreciate it, being taken seriously and getting a chance to engage a bit.

This campaigner was a mature Indian lady, dressed traditionally and with a head scarf. Don't know if she was Muslim or Hindu. Once she realized I was not going to brush her off, she became a bit confessional and told me that "getting involved in politics" was very unusual for an Indian woman. She said this would normally be looked down on and discouraged. What she was doing was very simple and quotidian - just saying hi and passing out campaign literature, but it seemed to have caused her a bit of an emotional crisis to get involved. She said she had just talked to her relatives in India and she did not mention her activity to them at all because they would have been shocked and would try to discourage her!

I suggested that the next time she gets a chance to talk with them, she should tell them what she did. I told her I think it would be good for them to know so that they would have a better appreciation for what it is like in America and how America differs from their part of the world. She agreed that it would be a good idea and that it would help them to gain a broader understanding of America.

My own opinion is that, long term, the future of womankind is the future of humanity. Almost every significant world/historical problem that humankind faces is ameliorated by the progress of women toward full equality and acceptance in education, economic and social life. Malala truly deserves the Nobel peace prize. And this woman, by taking part in an activity that is outside of her traditional comfort zone, and by providing a role model to others from the same background, is also part of that.

I hate to go all exceptional and everything, but... America! You just gotta love it!