Having introduced, last night, the brilliant young woman whom I see as an up and coming leader, a powerhouse, for the traditional principles of the Democratic Party, I thought I would share a little more about her. Do not go looking for her on Wikipedia. She is not there! I have no idea why not. But I have seen parts of her story at Mulatto.org.
The story I found at that website was poignant. It was sad, challenging, triumphant, sweet, and hers. The first time I read it, I welled up.
This week , in the wake of the overturn of Prop 8 in California, where Karen grew up, she posted her story on her Facebook wall. Here is her story as she told it in 2010 at U.S. News & World Report.
California Prop 8 Gay Marriage Ruling a Win For American Values
August 5, 2010
Yesterday’s ruling that California’s Proposition 8 is unconstitutional reaffirms a long-held American value that no matter how you try to spin it, separate is not equal. While some may not agree with same-sex marriage, history should remind us that our Constitution calls us to recognize that the laws in it apply equally, not to be picked apart to support a political agenda or bias. The arguments being used against same sex marriage are frighteningly similar and equally offensive as those once used against interracial marriage. While a Gallup poll in 1967 found that 74 percent of Americans disapproved of interracial marriage, it’s almost hard to remember just how far we’ve come.
When you look at that picture of Karen on that webpage, you have to wonder what must have gone through her grandfather’s heart to have missed those preceding years of this little girl growing up. You think about how committed and frightened her parents must have been to escape the South. You also cannot avoid thinking how lucky we are that her parents did what they did to have and give us this remarkable young woman.
As someone who went through similar experiences in those same years, I deeply appreciate the courage of her parents. I have no daughter (or son) as a legacy, but I was part of the war against the inhuman miscegenation laws. I celebrate the phenomenal human being Karen’s parents produced in the face of terrible legal implications.
When I see Karen post this story – her story – in relation to Prop 8, I wonder. What phenomenal children are being raised in same-sex marriages? What new leader will come along who might have languished in the foster care system or might never have been born were it not for the right of their parents to marry?
Every time I read Karen’s story, and I have many times, I am thankful that her parents defied the system – an unfair and cruel system – so that they could have this wonderful daughter, this brilliant, cheerful, adorable, funny, young woman with insights from which we all can learn. I am also thankful that her grandfather came to know her. He had to be proud. If my dad had been her grandfather, he would have known her from birth and the sun would have risen and set in her. But that was my dad. (I miss him!)
Follow Karen on Twitter and see when she is scheduled to participate on panels!
For more on this very impressive young woman, check out her public profile at Politico.
This story really touched my heart it brougth tears to my eyes all i can really say is WOW Karen you are amazing and your parents did an excellent job wirth you WOW
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Thanks for your comment, Robyn. Karen is very special. She is also very funny. This morning when Alex Witt raised a “Palin Primary Surprise,” Karen took one of her cute poses and said “Sure!” I laughed so hard!
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[…] emerging leader, and I was astonished at how many of my readers did not know who she was: Meet Karen Finney. In the post there was a link to a story Karen originally published in U.S. News & World […]
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[…] is a clip from tonight’s The Ed Show on the issue. Value added: our homegirl, Karen Finney comments. She happens to have some experience in this racist arena. I love her. […]
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[…] probably had a great deal to do with his sudden “change of heart.” Krystal along with Karen Finney, both commented on The Ed Show Friday night. No fewer than three times, (I think it might have […]
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[…] Karen Finney posted this last night at Facebook. Rep. Issa is abusing his power as committee chair while simultaneously abdicating true leadership with this unfair decision. Here is Karen’s post. Karen Finney via NARAL Pro-Choice America […]
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Wowza. She’s as beautiful as she is brilliant! So happy she’s a Democrat!
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I thought Karen was Cherokee, but it s obvious, good genes make good kids!
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She did respond to a tweet some time ago stating that Cherokee was in the mix along with Scotch-Irish, English, and African American. She’s a beautiful American quilt.
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I enjoy listening to Karen when she appears on MSNBC. She’s very easy on the eyes, too.
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i am amazed at the energy Karen Finney has and what she has accomplished at her young age. I sense her genuine anger when intentional lies are being told for political gain. we need more people like her on our side. god bless her.
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As a white man from Northern Canada old enough to be Karens father, I am amazed at finding a place where I could compliment Karen .. she is a treasure .. just that simple .. .. she speaks for many facets of todays society, and does it well .. I see her becoming pretty much whatever she wants to be, in the future .. she is a strong voice for the American “conscience” ..
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Saw you on the show today…different do…you are magnificently beautiful.
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She is the most amazing girl I ever seen! So pretty and smart.
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Intelligent, down to earth and gorgeous. yep!
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I am crazy about Karen Finney !! She’s the whole package … Bright, beautiful and driven to make a difference. I want to marry her! 🙂
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Oh yeah … almost forgot. I loved the article she wrote. And its so great that her parents had the guts to leave their homes and move somewhere where they could marry.
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I enjoy listening to Karen when she appears on MSNBC. She’s very beautiful and intellectually very sound and am always restless when I see her on the screen constantly feeling like pulling her all out and planting kisses all over her.I hope if I see one day she will let me do that.
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Be sure you ask for permission first!
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[…] since she began appearing as a commentator on MSNBC her fan base has steadily grown (as witnessed by the many hits this post receives every time she fills in for Bashir) and become increasingly insistent that she be given a show of […]
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[…] Back in February, 2011, I spotlighted Karen Finney in a post at The Department of Homegirl Security. […]
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