In the latest issue of Denver's 5280 magazine, I was astonished to see a 1924 photo of hundreds of white hooded Klansmen parading proudly down the streets of downtown Denver. They were offering their support to Denver mayoral candidate, Benjamin F. Stapleton, who won the election. Later that same year, Clarence J. Morley, an open member of the Ku Klux Klan was elected as Colorado's governor. Flash forward 84 years: This is the very same state that turned blue on Tuesday and helped to elect the nation's first African-American president. Many theories abound on this issue, among them being the influx of Californians who have moved here and brought their liberal ideals with them. That might be true but mostly, I just think that Coloradans are tough and smart and don't fancy being left behind.
Either way, I'm immensely proud to be an American ... and especially a Coloradan.
3 comments:
We've come a long way, baby.
Indeed. I'm so glad I witnessed our arrival.
I have heard that it is the huge influx of young, first time voters. Two out of three voted for Obama.
The young (18-24) are trending toward the democrats. I hope they aren't as badly disappointed and disillusioned as I was, but then it wouldn't be a bad thing for more to join the ranks of the independent and unaffiliated.
I was so happy to see participation in the process because democracy works best if the governed are actively involved in having a say about the governing.
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