Yesterday, I tried to do my civic duty to teach my kids about Martin Luther King Day and about the historic event of this Tuesday’s inauguration.
Or, rather, I showed Will a clip of the “I Have a Dream” speech. Response: “Mommy, it looks… old.” There was another comment, something related to the word “bored” but I’ve blocked it from memory. We’re focusing on the positive in the Cold Spaghetti household.
Later, after a short description of what will happen tomorrow, I read the kids a book about the Office of President of the United States.
Okay. What ACTUALLY happened was that I prepared to read them a book about being President. Then I waited on Kate while she went through the book herself, refused to share, and spent 2 minutes in time out after she ran away with the book shouting “WILL CAN’T SEE MY BOOK!”  Eventually we all sat down together to read it.
Little Betty Lou from Sesame Street sees the Big Black Car of the President go by and she dreams about all the things she would do if she were President.
Like give speeches to the United Nations.
And fly in Air Force One.
And work in the Oval Office.
And attend the Easter Egg Rolling on the White House Lawn.
And have a penis.
You think I’m joking, but I’m pretty sure I added that last part in, just to make sure they were listening. And also because we’re all about honesty in this household.
But you know, maybe I’m wrong. Granted, I’ve felt strongly that we would see an African American man as President before we’d see a woman in the same role. But it happened so soon, and for a man who is approaching the Presidency from a rational perspective. It’s wonderful and overwhelming and unbelievable. So unbelievable that everyone seems to believe that this IS a point of change, and that tomorrow, anything is possible.
I wanted my kids to understand that.
Instead, Will asks, “Mommy, is tomorrow a school day?”
“Yes, it is. But when you come home, we’ll watch the new President speak on the computer.”
“Okay. But can we play Lego Star Wars first?”
liprap | 20-Jan-09 at 3:10 pm | Permalink
They’re still very young, madame. About all that my son gets about Obama’s inaugural is that it’s Moving Day for him.
There’s still time to teach these kids. Believe me.
liprap | 20-Jan-09 at 3:11 pm | Permalink
Oh, and Duck For President is one they’ll love.
http://www.duckforpresident.com/
charlotte | 20-Jan-09 at 5:54 pm | Permalink
Ah well, you gave it your best. 🙂
Hopefully by the time your kids can vote having a penis won’t be a prerequisite.
Dee | 20-Jan-09 at 7:30 pm | Permalink
Teaching kids about MLK is a double-edged sword. Last year they covered it in my son’s kindergarten class. It was the first time that he realized that there was a difference between him and some of the kids in his class. I think before that he just thought we were all different shades. The difference, black and white, did not occur to him and we never made any distinction. That broke my heart. Granted, he would become aware eventually how the world around him sees things. But that was the day that he lost it. One little bit of innocence, gone.
Emily R | 20-Jan-09 at 9:39 pm | Permalink
At least they aren’t calling him “King Martin” like my son does…
Painted Maypole | 21-Jan-09 at 7:31 am | Permalink
the kids just don’t get how momentous it is. and in some ways it’s frustrating, but ultimately, how wonderful that they are growing up in a world where it’s not just possible, it’s already happened.
We can work on getting a woman into the white house in 8 years! 🙂