Hallelujah from Sidney!
I'm writing this post in a state of shock. I'm literally numb from it, so if this narrative goes a bit awry, please blame it on that, and not my extraordinary ability to put together some brilliant prose.
As you are absolutely no doubt aware, my candidate, Barack Obama, is the president elect of the United States.
I am so proud of my country right now, I can barely stand it. I really didn't think they had it in them, but they proved me wrong. (Granted, Bush did as much as anyone to ensure a victory for Barack.)
I can't even describe how excited and optimistic I am about the next 8 years. I sincerely believe that these are going to be the best years of our lives.
People have been asking me why I'm such an ardent Barack supporter. Here's why: Tonight, millions of black parents are going to tell their children before they go to bed that, in America, anyone can grow up to be president. The only difference is, tonight, they'll mean it. The amount of hope and joy in the world just went up about 200%.
I admit that the president is largely a figurehead, incapable of making much change, and certainly nowhere near the amount that was promised during the campaign. However, the fact that we, as a country, have elected this man will show the world that we aren't the same bastards that they've seen for the last 8 years. That even we can recognize when we've gone too far - and we'll do what needs to be done to fix it.
This is going to be a difficult time for a lot of Americans. But just like Jackie Robinson, this election was necessary for us as a people to grow and mature. Racism, as we know it, will have to become a thing of the past. It will probably always be there, but now that the seal has been broken on the most powerful position in the world, there's really no limit to what anyone can achieve - thus, the deep resentment that black people have been feeling for decades will start to fade - maybe just a little at first, but eventually, who knows. We might only ever hear about racism from reading about it in books.
So, here's to Barack Obama, black Americans, and really all Americans in general. I don't know if we deserved it, but we got it anyway.
I am so proud of us! Now, get out there and buy my house godammit! :-)
2 comments:
WOOHOO!!
Who knew we had it in us. Not only that, but it was a landslide!
Now we just have to wait and see. I have my fingers crossed hoping that you're right and they will start comparing presidents to Obama. Here's to the next 8 years. :-)
Harumph!! I couldn't believe the election results, either, as I sipped my brandy and smoked my cigar. My butler might have voted for Obama, so he will be fired. Luckily, my income in excess of 250k is hidden offshore.
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