Barack Obama has just been elected the 44th President of the United States. I’ve never been a political junkie, declared myself to be a member of any political party or actually even cared enough to vote. Until today. It’s not that I wanted a specific agenda or ideology to win as much as not wanting fear, hate, prejudice and the old ways of doing things to win.
Less than 50 years ago, a black man could not sit on the same bus seat as a white man. Today, we elected a black man as President. That, my friends is change. Whether you agree with Obama or not, all must agree that today is a historic day for America, for the world.
As I think about racism and prejudice, I think back to 5th grade at Miami Chapel Middle School when I was playing kickball with some kids while waiting for my Mom to pick me up after school. One of the boys, a Korean, kicked the ball up on the roof and we were unable to retrieve it. Since I had signed the ball out, I was the one who got into trouble when we didn’t return it. On the way home, In our pearl white ‘84 Oldsmobile with plush red interior, I made the comment to my mother about how losing the ball wasn’t my fault, “it was the boy from North Korea. You know how those North Koreans are.” I’ll never forget how my mom quickly corrected me and explained why I was wrong and how we are no different from everyone else. She probably doesn’t remember but she launched into a lengthy and firm speech about the silliness of racism and that it was likely just insecurity on the part of those who practice it. She also mentioned religion too. I distinctly remember feeling ashamed and embarrassed when I tried to go to sleep that night and I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I thought about that moment tonight when I watched our country transcend our shameful history of racism and elect a black man President.
Though I’ve been known to be left leaning (most of my family are staunch Republicans), I didn’t agree with everything Obama stood for. If anything, I’m a social democrat but fiscal conservative (especially on the subject of labor unions!). But as the election grew nearer and all I heard from the Republican candidates was negativity and fear, the choice became obvious. To be even more honest, race wasn’t even a consideration, I didn’t consciously think about it. But when I sat back tonight and watched the election coverage, I got goosebumps when I realized we were really going to get past the race issue and elect a candidate on principles. Sure, some people undoubtedly voted for Obama only because he was black but based on the margin of victory, those votes are statistically irrelevant.
I’m happy that Barack Obama won but I’m happier that our country was so involved in the election process and that I had the ability to participate. It was far more than just a triumph over racial barriers, it was a triumph of democracy. Mr. McCain’s consolation speech was gracious and classy and showed the world that while we may not always agree on the little things, we do believe in freedom and hope. The American people wanted real change and while we didn’t get it tonight with a single election, we set the stage for the opportunity for that change. Yes, we can.
The whole process, not just the outcome has restored my faith in this country. Yes, we can.
