I have to say that today, I feel very, very proud to be an American.
Here in Columbus, Ohio, last night, people were literally dancing in the streets when it was announced that Obama won. I was downtown at the official Democratic Election party watching Obama's speech with hundreds of party members, campaign workers, Governor Strickland, Mayor Coleman, and lots of ordinary citizens. People were cheering, crying, and when Obama finished his speech, dancing.
Yes, we can. We did. And we will.
I am always proud to be an American...
But so many things here in the United States have gone so very wrong in the past 8 years. We've had a President who made astonishingly poor decisions, favorored cronyism for the rich over serving the people, and who encouraged a culture of overwhelming negativity and xenophobia, and brought out in Americans what I feel are the worst aspects of human nature.
Last night, the people of America showed the world that we are not an intolerant people who refuse to listen to reason. Barack Obama is an intelligent, compassionate, educated, caring man who has shown inspiring amounts of integrity, good judgement, and good character. I believe that Obama, through his actions and beliefs, appeals to the best aspects of human nature, and to the best aspects of the American character.
The American people showed the world that perhaps Dr. King's dream is come closer to being a reality than any of us could have imagined would happen....because las night, the American people elected a young-ish Black man with a non traditional sounding name, and they did so not by judging the color of his skin, but by judging the content of his character.
As the son of a blue collar working class American family and a lifelong supporter of the Democratic Party, I am full of hope that Obama will be a strong leader for the American people, that he can inspire us all to work together, regardless of party, to create a better America, and to be a leader for goodness in the world.
Obama's campaign inspired a sense of hope and community in the American people that has not been seen for a very long time. The spirit of this campaign must not end with the election.
As Obama said:
"We haven't made the change, only secured the possibility of making the change. Now the real work begins".
I hope and pray that the work Obama speaks of will result in a better America. For the first time in 8 years, I am excited about my goverment, and I fell optimistic about America. I have not been happy with what America has been for the past 8 years, and with the awful things we have done in the past...
But I have always been in love with the idea of what the United States can be. With this election, for the first time in my life, I feel like we are moving closer to not only the dream that Dr. King spoke of, but also of the greater American dream of a country with compassionate goverment that is by the people and for the people. For all people, regardless of thier race, ethnicity, sexuality, political views,and religion. I am hopeful that we may move closer to making that dream a reality.
Now the real work begins. The American people did not let Obama down. We raised him up and helped him make history.
Now its time for Barack Obama to keep his end of the deal, and raise up the American people, and provide a strong and positive role model for the world.
I hope he will not let us down. But given a man of Obama's integrity, I don't think he will. I have hope. Hope can make lot happen.
ZAS
PS - Senator McCains concession speech was classy and inspiring. Now that the election of over, hopefully John McCain can go back to being himself.
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:D
