I feel compelled to mark this day in history for our online family journal! Barack Obama is elected the President of the United States of America and he just so happens to be African-American, the first African-American to be elected as President.
What were WE doing? The kids were snug asleep in their beds and Joey and I were glued to the computer. We toyed with going to bed so many times but just wanted to hear them "call" the result. We ended up staying up until 12pm watching both speakers and talking about the results. We concluded that there would be a lot of little Barack namesakes running around the playgrounds of America for the next few decades;) I like to think that even those that didn't vote for Barack Obama could appreciate the extraordinary event that just took place. The speech given by Obama, the pride, joy and tears on the faces of crowds across the nation should be enough to make most McCain supporters immune to disapointment over a "lost election". Let's just hope he can be the kind of President that our country needs right now! I never really thought about him being African American throughout the campaign. I never considered that history would be made in a magnificent way if he was elected. It was always about who was really the best choice for our Country right now. And I think it was that way for everyone that I know. And then last night, it really hit me, how momentous and monumental this election really is. I'm so glad to be alive to see this! Can you imagine how an elderly African-American must feel right now? One that perhaps experienced the civil rights movement first hand? REDEMPTION!
And the "next day news" all over the world shows our allies and even foes (Iran) as excited and hopeful for Americas choice. And that, my friends, is the #1 reason why I voted for Barack Obama. He seems (I say seems b/c the media makes it impossible to see ANYTHING for what it really is) thoughtful, even tempered, confident, reasonable and diplomatic. I think he can really mend fences broken over the last 8 years. He thinks globally instead of small and single mindedly. OOOOOH;) I hope he can DO IT!
Anyway, I just wanted to type up some of my thoughts for Gigi and Isaac to look back to tens of years from now! I hope that hindsight affirms the pride and hope that I feel for our country right now!
ADDENDUM: Okay, so I'm getting a little flack for this post from some family members...aaargh! I guess my meaning is unclear. The pride and hope that I feel is for the steps we have made in overcoming prejudices....and that's it. I'm not saying I'm so proud that we elected Obama b/c he is so perfect. I don't agree with some of his policies. I'm not even 100% familiar with what all of his policies are...I voted on him mainly for the reasons stated above...and a little bit because I want the war in Iraq to be over. I had to pick the best choice from the options that I was given. In another era, McCain would have been the better choice. But for right here, right now, I felt that Obama was the best leader for our country. I hope I haven't offended anyone! It seems obvious to me that wether we like Obama or not, this day was legendary because it is a HUGE step for our country in overcoming our prejudices. I just wanted to document that aspect of the election...Thanks for listening!
