I don’t usually put much on my blog relating to politics.  It’s such a controversial issue and really has nothing to do with my writing.  But today I’m feeling quite torn, disillusioned.

We’ve spent the last 5 or 6 decades insisting that race shouldn’t and doesn’t matter. And yet yesterday, as our new president took office, race was ALL that mattered.

Nevermind that he’s a Democrat. No one seemed to care that he’s an honest man with family values. No one said anything about how young he is. No one mentioned his past accomplishments or his qualifications to be our Commander in Chief.

He is a black man.  And that was all that counted yesterday. Actually, he’s only half black. No one mentioned that either. But that’s beside the point.

I saw all these people crying tears of joy because a black man is now president. And all this time–for the 40+ years I’ve lived, I thought race didn’t matter.  I thought the color of a person’s skin was no indication of their character.

One man wiped away his tears and said, “I see an America without color.”  What?  Huh?  The ONLY thing I saw yesterday was an America obsessed with color and race–focused on nothing but Obama’s ethnicity.

I want to cry, too.  Not joyous tears. Tears of heartbreak. I spent my whole life believing that racism is detrimental to society. Any consideration based on race is wrong, including affirmative action and race-based scholarships, etc. I know some will disagree with that statement, but I don’t think we can have it both ways.  Either race matters or it doesn’t.

The inauguration and all the hype and hoopla leading up to it, was proof that race does indeed matter. All those kids of color they interviewed who said, “Now I know I can do anything I want, be anything I want” -  They’re all believing in a fairytale, a pipe dream. Racism is clearly still a major facet of our society. And they are the very ones ensuring that it doesn’t become a thing of the past.

Here, now, when we should all be more concerned with our economy and the fact that we’re spending not only or children’s and granchildren’s money by running up the national debt… When we should be worried about how to close our borders and provide jobs for Americans (no matter what color, race, or religion)… When we should be concerned about national security and how we can bring our troops home…

All we can think of, all we can talk about, is the fact that we finally have a black president.

{hanging head in hopelessness}

And poor Obama.  Even Jesus wouldn’t be able to live up to the expectations that have been heaped upon him. God help him. Our new president will be in my prayers.

Nita

For Valentine’s Day, I’m offering a book from one of my all-time favorite authors, Teresa Medeiros!

I have in my possession an autographed copy of her latest book, Some Like it Wicked!

As always, my newsletter members are automatically entered for a chance to win it. But if you’d like to score an extra entry, send me the Order Confirmation email you receive when you purchased one of my books.

Just forward the email to nita@nitawick.com and I’ll put your name in the hat an extra time for each copy you’ve purchased.

Good luck!

Nita

As a contributing member of the Author’s Studio, I posted a blog about my muse.  Several other writers commented about their muses, too.  You may find it “amusing.” LOL

Here’s the link.

Nita

There is currently a poll at The Long and the Short of It Romance Reviews.

My book, THE WAGONMASTER, was reviewed this week. (And it was a very nice review indeed.  See previous blog post.)

Anyway, they want to know which book or story sounds like the best read based on their reviews.

VOTE HERE

Thanks!

Nita

Happy New Year!  Can you believe it’s 2009 already? Wow. Time speeds by faster and faster these days. Good luck with all those resolutions. May 2009 be your year!

For me, New Year’s Eve included a trip to the doctor’s office.  One of those winter colds worsened and rather than wait till it got really bad, I sucked it up and made an appointment.  I learned my lesson last year. LOL  I just didn’t want to go, so I waited too long and ended up with pneumonia.  I wasn’t about to let that happen this time. 

But the year end also brought a nice new review.  

Lilac says:

“The Wagonmaster is a great read for fans of western romances featuring feisty heroines.”She awarded 4 1/2 Books!

Read the entire review here.

I’m so happy that THE WAGONMASTER has been so well received. The reviewers have had nothing but good things to say about it.  Check out all the reviews I’ve received on my review page. Get your copy now at Freya’s Bower!

Nita