Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Celebrating Obama's victory

[Racheli Gai (racheli]

Hi,
I responded to Ann only, but if anyone is really dying to hear what I 
had
to say, please contact me off list.

Best,
Racheli.


On Nov 5, 2008, at 11:31 AM, Ann Zabaldo wrote:

> Racheli --
>
> I hear you.
>
> If you are willing to share ... I would like to know more about what
> you were feeling last night and why amidst the celebrations around you
> -- Obama's win did not translate into a celebration for you.  I think  
> there's something here in your experience that can be valuable to us.
>
> We can do this off-line, too!
>
> AZ
>
> Best --
>
> Ann Zabaldo
> Takoma Village
> Washington, DC
> Principal, The Cohousing Collaborative
> McLean, VA
>
> PH: 703 663 3911
> FAX 202 291 8594
>
>
> On Nov 5, 2008, at 1:17 PM, Racheli Gai wrote:
>
> > Hi Ann and all,
> > I want to say that I, as a decidedly "lefty" kind of person, felt
> > relieved by
> > Obama's win (because I think is way less likely to cause nuclear
> > devastation).
> > I haven't celebrated, and with the celebratory outbursts of most
> > people
> > around me
> > I've been feeling rather isolated.
> > I'm saying this to point out that not only people on the "right",
> > (conservatives), feel
> > sometimes isolated in cohousing.  And that the idea that we all
> > "celebrated" leaves out
> > people on both sides of the spectrum.
> >
> > Racheli, Sonora Cohousing, Tucson.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Nov 5, 2008 at 9:51 AM, Ann Zabaldo <zabaldo [at] earthlink.net>
> > wrote:
> > > Hello all!
> > > I've been reading all the posts on how communities celebrated the
> > > election
> > > last night.  An historic moment.  I share in your joy.
> > > I also have a question that's been on my mind for a few years ...
> > > Is there room for conservatives in cohousing?  Or are we islands of
> > > liberal/progressive thought?  (Not saying this is "bad" or "wrong."
> > > --
> > > just
> > > curious ...)
> > >
> > > The reason I got involved in cohousing is that I immediately saw this
> > > social
> > > structure as one road to peace in the world.  (If we can figure out
> > > how to
> > > live together in small communities maybe we can tackle the Middle
> > > East.)  So
> > > I'm always looking for mutuality, inclusivity and connection in
> > > cohousing.
> > > I know there ARE some conservative folks in cohousing -- out there
> > > somewhere
> > > -- but I wonder how welcome we make them feel when it looks as if 
> > > there is
> > > "A" kind of political leaning?
> > > For instance ... the question posed in this thread wasn't:
> > > What did your community do on election night?
> > > But rather:
> > > Did your community CELEBRATE last night?   (emphasis mine)
> > > The implication of this question is that clearly cohousing and
> > > cohousers are
> > > Obama supporters.   Which is highly likely TRUE ... I'm just
> > > wondering
> > > where
> > > "inclusivity" and "diversity" are in this picture?
> > > Personally, I've always understood cohousing to be non-ideological --
> > > all
> > > are welcome.  Maybe not?
> > > This is NOT an indictment of all the celebrations that went on last
> > > night
> > > (and may still be going on!)  There's LOTS to celebrate!  AND if
> > > cohousing
> > > is to reach its full flowering then it must be a possibility for ALL
> > > people
> > > -- not just liberal/progressive people.
> > > Ok.  You can now start throwing bricks and tomatoes at me!
> > > :-)
> > >
> > > Best --
> > > Ann Zabaldo
> > > Takoma Village
> > > Washington, DC
> > > Principal, The Cohousing Collaborative
> > > McLean, VA
> > > PH: 703 663 3911
> > > FAX 202 291 8594
> >
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