Condi mainly talked about her experiences in politics from 1998 until 2008. She has some amazing stories...I can only hope I can amount to half of her accomplishments by the time I leave politics.
One thing she said that really struck me was that "Democracy cannot mean the tyranny of the majority". It seems to me, though, that, with the level of partisanship in politics today, people in government actually expect that. The minority (whether it's Democrats or Republicans, everyone does it) filibuster and propagate hatred as if they expect the majority to turn Congress into another North Korea if they allow them even the slightest scrap of ground on policy questions. This can't be what we're about, as politicians, as legislators, or as Americans. Ultimately, the goal of all branches of government has to be the improvement and care of our nation.
Another point she really emphasized was that every life is worthy and capable of greatness. She said that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of their life, no matter who they are or where they're from. I love this. As Christians, we are called to love everyone and treat them equally, and Condoleezza really did an amazing job of translating that into government. I personally think that a politician's faith (whether that means faith in God or faith that there is no God) inevitably seeps into their political decisions, and Condoleezza did a really great job of balancing faith and policy, care for people and making sure government functioned properly.
By far, my favorite quote from her was that "The government cannot deliver compassion. Delivering compassion and hope has to be the work of the person". I've never quite been able to put that thought into words, but now she's done it for me! The church (meaning every Christ follower, not actual brick-and-mortar churches) needs to take charge of delivering compassion in whatever form they can. Government can give aid, but it can't take the place of human help.
The part of today's conference that was particularly inspiring to me was Sheryl WuDunn - she and her husband are journalists who have gotten involved in the plight of trafficked women around the world. She said that the moral challenge of the century is gender inequality and the oppression of girls and women around the world. Now let me be clear here - she was NOT talking about American women flipping out about making a little bit less than men in white collar work. She was talking about girls being kidnapped and forced into prostitution, about women being denied basic health care, and about the sky-high maternal mortality rate.
Women of America have vastly lost sight of what real oppression and inequality is. Sure, making less is annoying. However, there needs to be perspective. American women are incredibly lucky to be born into American society. We're beyond blessed to be born into a society that at least makes an effort to give women the opportunity to be educated, to be employed, and to make choices as to what they want to do and when. Women around the world would give anything to be in our shoes, and we take for granted the great strides our society has made since its founding.
Anywho, let me put my soapbox away.
What I actually wanted to pull out of Sheryl WuDunn's talk, was that she emphasized the importance of giving girls a chance to be educated and live a halfway decent life...so I sponsored a little girl through Compassion International! I am so excited about being able to make a difference in her life. She is an adorable almost-4 year old from Indonesia named Susana. I saw her picture in this huge pile of packets about kids waiting to be sponsored, and I couldn't put her down. Something just drew me, God pulled at my heartstrings until I admitted that this was something I needed to do.
Long story short, I love this girl already and I'm so excited to start writing to her! Prayers for her and her family (mom, dad, and 6 siblings) would be much appreciated.
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