A Letter to Maya

February 20, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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Our Town By Jon MelegritoBy Jon Melegrito
My Dearest Granddaughter,
You had just turned one the last time I saw you. You were peering through the window, animated by the sights and sounds outside. You even tried to wriggle out of your lolas arms, eager to get a closer look at those objects that caught your fancy. You wanted to touch them, the way you grab the chunks of cheese and bananas spread all over the tray in your highchair, and put them in your mouth. Having explored just about all the nooks and crannies inside your house, you now want to discover whats outside the window. Theres much to taste and savor, even on this cold January morning.

Earlier, you were showing off as you climbed the stairs, all 12 steps, on all fours, beaming proudly when you reached the top. Not once, but four times, within ten minutes. That was a good workout for me, by the way, just keeping up with your restless energy. You even tried to walk - two, three steps at a time - thrilled even as you fell. Your mom doesnt want you to grow up too fast too soon.

But youre not about to slow down, are you? Nothing seems to stop you. Your persistence inspires me.
I think of these moments when Im out in the campaign trail, driving across frozen and flat lands, knocking on doors and talking to voters about Hillary. She could very well be the first woman president of the United States . Your mom thinks you could be one, too, someday.

Like you, I want to know whats outside the window, whats behind the door. I am not easily intimidated by a hostile reaction or rejection. I just walk up expecting to be pleasantly surprised when the door opens.
Like a Republican saying hell vote for a Democrat this time around. Or a teenager wearing a Hillary T-shirt. Thats why I usually dont give up on the first knock. I listen closely for some stirrings inside the house, even when its dark. Invariably, someone responds. Sometimes, but very rarely, a door slams on your face. But I keep on going. The more attempts, I say to myself, the better the chances. Sooner or later, a door opens.
In Los Banos , California where I recently made more than 60 house calls before the Super Tuesday primary, I encountered mostly families residing in low-income neighborhoods. Given that the polls indicate high support for Hillary among this sector, my door knocks were largely successful. They were not as favorable in the more affluent parts of town where a large number of Obama fans live.

Which tells me a lot about the two Democratic candidates. Hillarys long track-record as a problem-solver appeals to working families who are still struggling economically, alarmed by the high costs of health care and education for their children, and worried about losing their retirement benefits. Obamas visionary eloquence, on the other hand, resonates mostly with those who dont have those worries and who are simply fed up with the way Washington works. I have this queasy feeling, however, that all this hype about change is all fluff. It lacks substance and content.

This wave of euphoria for change reminds me of the 1986 People Power revolt in the Philippines - 22 years ago this month. After the dictator fell, there was a heady sense of a new beginning. The insurgency led by Cory Aquino promised revolutionary changes. The people were fed up with more than 20 years of Marcos and his cronies (in the same way that the American people are fed up with the Bushes). We certainly felt and thought differently about ourselves the day after. But what did it amount to?

Of course, the political circumstances in 1986 are different from today, so this comparison could be a stretch. But heres my point: what happened to people power euphoria after EDSA?

Obamas soaring sermons about hope and change are very seductive, which explains the massive outpouring of support in the primaries. Even the so-called movement inspired by Obama is beginning to look more like a cult of personality. Its good to be inspired, but where is it leading to?

Hillary, on the other hand, has demonstrated her skill and ability to actually make changes in peoples lives -especially those who are still struggling, those who have been left behind, those who have come to believe that the American Dream may not be for them. Hillary has prepared herself for this moment. She should be judged on her own merits, not one who has been defined by Clinton haters in the media and the political establishment.

When your mother was your age, Nixon was in the White House and the Marcos Dictatorship was a few months old. Your /lola/ and I were out in the streets, joining other voices demanding change, demanding the end to war and racism. We said then that it was a just cause for the sake of our children and our childrens children. That was more than 30 years ago, yet not much has changed.

Your parents today are still facing the same problems. By going to the polls and choosing who is best to run this country, they are making decisions about your future. Now more than ever, hope and change must truly mean something -not as slogans designed to seduce but to achieve substantive results.

For bringing you out into this world, your mom and dad earnestly want to see the next president straighten out this mess. For your sake and theirs.

Meanwhile, enjoy climbing up the stairs and looking out of windows. I envy your blissful innocence especially at a time like this.
Love,
Lolo
E-mail your comments to jonmele@aol.com

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