Rhetoric Race and Religion
A few days ago, I was lunching with my husband and as we’ve often found ourselves of late, we were discussing the upcoming presidential election. In one sentence, I was expressing my confidence that I felt Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had an equal chance at the office, of which he agreed, and in the next I confessed my unbelief, or perhaps lack of faith, that this could actually happen. Although considered a very close race, it still seemed so farfetched that America would actually vote in a Mormon as president. Again, my husband agreed.
And apparently we were right – kind of — Romney did not win the election. Our gut instincts were spot on and I imagine this Mormon, among Mormons, was not alone in her private skepticism. Yet I can’t get over the fact that 57 million Americans, and rising, did indeed vote for a Mormon – and what that says, to me, not only about this country, but also about my faith.
Although a Romney win, by many indicators felt within reach, it didn’t happen. However, the fact that it almost did – and with very few variables could have – this reality has changed everything for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints (Mormon) – for the good.
We now move forward into an unprecedented season of Mormonism– just like everything else Mormons have experienced throughout the entire election process– the unknown – a place of familiarity. But this time, from this moment on, Mormons in America will never be looked at quite the same.
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