Eight long years are finally coming to an end and I feel blessed to have participated in history. Whether or not you agree with Obama's policies, you cannot deny the greatness of this historical time. I envy the people who have witnessed progression. Those who lived before, during and after the civil rights movement and once thought that a black president was impossible.My feelings at the moment can be summed up in three words: I have hope. Surely, our national problems will not disappear magically but perhaps new found hope will lead us in the right direction. Obama will certainly inherit a mess created by past presidents, but I have hope and faith that he will at least throw a ladder in the hole so we can begin to climb out.
I awoke this morning feeling a sense of nationalism. Feeling proud of my country, my leaders and myself for voting.
I awoke this morning with an unfamiliar spirit of responsibility for my country. More than ever, I feel like my voice matters. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
I awoke this morning with with e-mails from friends and family in Europe who thanked me for making the right decision. They expressed their happiness with the decision. Their positive sentiments toward my country showed me that Obama has already made a mark on the world.
(Read this TIME article: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1856584_1856586_1856592,00.html)
What a privilege it will be to tell my children that I helped to elect the first black president. And I hope Obama's next four years will give me even more reason to brag to my children about electing such a wonderful man into office.
Not only do I believe that Obama is a brilliant politician, but I believe he is a brilliant family man. He loves his wife and children and I certainly strive to have a loving family as he does. He cherishes his wife and nurtures his children. It's not often that we see a politician whose passion for politics is equal to or less than his/her passion and commitment to family.
Today was a good day for me. I walked on campus and for the first time since I can remember, I looked up at the American flag and felt emotional. I felt a dash of nationalism, a load of responsibility and an overwhelming amount of happiness.
This will be a good four years.
7 comments:
Having just looked at all your pictures and read your words, I have to comment.
Being an older person, which is important in this case, I thought I would not live long enough to see this historical event happen, as I doubted to see the Berlin Wall come down in my life time.
I am glad I was proven wrong both times. To see you young people be so involved, participating and hopeful is very comforting to me and will help future generations.
There are so many things to be fixed that it will take a lot of hard work, but the opportunity is now here and there is a new start.
It can be done.
Omi
Not to rain on your parade, BUT...
Obama's first act as president-elect was to name Rahm Emanuel--a good and close friend from Obama's own political home state--as White House chief of staff. Rahm is known for his ferociousness (nigh unto the hot-headed temper of one John McCain), and most are saying that Obama needed him to push through his own agenda. After all of this talk of unity and bi-partisanship and bringing people together at the same table etc etc etc, Obama only goes as far as Chicago to begin his "unification." Interesting. My question is this:
Is this the "Change we can believe in", or is it the "business-as-usual we can expect from the two mainstream parties"?
Personally, I think it's the latter. I'm happy you're happy, but choosing Mr. Emanuel is just evidence to me that not a thing will change in D.C.
And I'd say the same thing if McCain were elected.
I had actually read that yesterday and thought the very same thing.
However, it dawned on me that just about anyone would chose someone they have worked with before.
Bush chose Andrew Card, who had worked multiple positions under Bush's father - someone Bush already knew and trusted.
Clinton chose Mack McLarty as his Chief of Staff - who is also from Clinton's own political home state - someone Clinton already knew and trusted.
It seems that in any position (politicians, business parters, law parters, etc) anyone would choose someone who they a) already know and b) already trust.
So, for now...I agree that it appears to be "business as usual between two mainstream parties."
However, there is still time to make judgments about Obama's impact on change. If Obama is going to make any difference in Washington, he can't do anything erratically.
And frankly, if he is going to make change - he has to surround himself with people who also strive for this change. As one man, even the president, he doesn't have quite enough power to rock the boat. Maybe Emanuel is a start.
And for heaven's sake. It's day two and he isn't even our president yet. Let's just wait and see what happens.
The Cincinnati Bengals won their first game this season on Sunday. I suppose this is evidence that anything good is possible as long as you give it time to do so. :)
And you had to know I was going to be an ass about this regardless of the outcome.
The funny thing about this election was that I was outside of all civilization when it went down. I was hunting with the inlaws. One of us got a text Wednesday morning that simply said "President Obama". We said, "Hm... interesting. Well, let's go shoot some elk."
In 2012--just so you're aware--I'm voting for Jack Skellington.
Congrats on your victory, though (and this is sincere). I pray that the promises of change and bipartisanship and honesty in D.C. are lived up to in the fullest. I will be more than happy to eat my foot in this situation.
Tony you know I love political banter. I think it is the only way to get people to think.
And yes, I knew you'd be an ass about this. And quite frankly, I would have been disappointed if you hadn't been one!
Did you kill any elk?
Put the finishing touch on one and drew first blood on another.
Pictures forthcoming.
It makes me happy that you've been so moved by this whole process. I'm glad you have a chance to see the change in direction you've been hoping for. It'll be interesting to see what happens from here. I'm *hoping* for the best.
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