I have never been so proud to be an American than I am this morning. Yesterday, a massive change happened and we moved from being a nation afraid to a nation that believes again in our ideas. It was a massive generational change as well. Those of us who grew up in the '60s are so aware of the significance of this election: a Black man as President, a Black family in the White House - built by Slave Labor - and we can hope that this ends Racism. Those who are the ages of my daughter and son see it differently. They grew up differently than I did, with friends of all races and nationalities and so to them, it was a choice of age, ideas, demeanor, and style. I voted for Barack Obama for those reasons as well, but I also saw the historical significance and I shed tears when I vote. I voted with pride, with hope, with fear - and waited.
So at 8 PM last night, in Los Angeles, when Keith Olbermann made the announcement, I cried with joy. My friend Peggy (the former Republican) called me crying. I called my daughter, crying. My friend Nancy was in Grant Park, in the second row from the Podium, and she called several times. My friend Teri called me, in tears, thrilled. It was an enormous decision, and we are proud.
John McCain's concession speech was gracious, generous, and real. I was finally proud of John McCain in defeat. He spoke as a real patriot, a real American who will work with Obama.
My ex-husband told my daughter (with tears in his eyes) that he finally got to vote for Bobby Kennedy!
Jesse Jackson's face said it all.
And I slept soundly for the first time since 9/11/2001. I felt safe, for the first time since 9/11/2001.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
22 comments:
Amen! Those of us who are older really do see the significance of this and wonder if perhaps those seeds we planted so long ago are finally beginning to sprout.
~*
I went berzerk when they announced it. We screamed in the backyard at my friends' house & a group screamed back. There was a lot of glee. Honking horns & signs on my way back home. This morning watching pics of reactions from around the world just moved me to tears all over again.
I hope Obama gets all the support he'll need to tackle what is a really damaged country.
But he has told the American people that it'll take work and we all said, BRING IT ON!!!
Remember, shrub told us to go shopping.
OH MY GAWD we have a true presidential president at last!
And yeah, Jesse Jackson's face said it ALL.
The global community won last night as well.
Let the healing begin!
Does this mean you've conceded?
We got to watch a live stream from Grant Park and it was even better than Woodstock.
My ex-husband told my daughter (with tears in his eyes) that he finally got to vote for Bobby Kennedy!
Now THAT made me cry.
Yes, yes, yes. I feel like I've been waiting all of my life for this moment, and having it arrive is even better than I dreamed. I have hope again.
It am so happy. We've got a lot of work to do...and a chance we might be able to start doing it now.
i am overjoyed beyond words today. and couldn't have made it through these dark days without amazing bloggers like you, jood. we did it!!!
Oh, yes, I conceded last night at about 3 AM - didn't anyone hear my speech? It was on WCROK
Seriously, I'm leaving now for this funeral which is about three miles north of where Jesus lost his sandals - the Funeral is at 1 PM, and my sense of direction (even with printed out step by step instructions) is not the best. And BTW, Aunt Jo is going to be buried not far from where Curly of the 3 Stooges is buried. Moe Howard and the other Stooges are inside the Mausloleum, in the wall.
Don't worry boss, we'll get that socialist in 2012. The Three Stooges? Not that funerals are moments of 'yay' but that's kinda cool. Who doesn't love those guys?
Last night was one of the most memorable, best moments in my life. I will always remember the looks on everyone's faces once Obama won. It was my daughter's first time voting in a presidential election, and she was so thrilled.
It did, it really did feel like finally being able to vote for RFK! 40-long years later ...
I'm still on Cloud Nine, waiting for it to all sink in. If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up.
ps, Moe was my role model stooge! he had beatle-bangs before the beatles, what's not to love.
Wow..that your ex said that...I did think about Bobby and MLK and BIKO and so many others when I voted...and Teddy- that he had made it to see this day....WOW.....beautiful post....take care of you...you are going to a funeral....but there is a New Beginning starting....
I said almost the same thing to my daughter last night (RFK). To have watched the events that transpired during the Civil Rights movement to this day...history!!
Nicely written post! I agree with you 100%, I haven't felt this proud to be an American in a long time. We the people came through when we had to.
For most of my life I have lived in a rural area in NE Oregon where there are few people of color. Nonetheless, MLK was a hero of mine when I was in third, fourth, fifth grade. I thank my mother for making me aware of who he was and what he did for our country. When he was assassinated I had a hard time dealing with some adults in the community who were saying bad things about King, like how they thought his assassination was a good thing. I was reduced to tears over it by those people, and I got in trouble from my parents for calling them some things that were not very nice. I was 10 or 11 at the time, but that is how I got my start down the lefty road. To see the dreams of one of my American heroes fulfilled last night brought tears to my eyes again. I rejoice in the humanity of this moment, in the outpouring of emotions from so many who have worked and hoped for so long! This is truly a moment upon which we can build.
Now it's up to Mr. Obama to deliver. And although I think he can do it, it is going to be extremely difficult on many fronts. I am not a pray-er, but I will be sending all the positive thoughts I can muster in his direction. I hope America is ready to transform and transcend.
Hey Jood.... whatta nice write.
I missed your last post...I am really sorry about your Aunt. I had a similar occurance about ten years ago.... ah.... what can be said.
Diva, I think I'm enjoying Obama's victory as I am enjoying his willingness to get right to work. I share in your joy.
I feel just like you do Diva.
Wow! You put it all so Beautifully!! I truly feel inspired with Life again with Obama leading us.
You said so much of what I feel
Tears all around. Hope is back in my heart.
Too bad Prop 8 passed: Obama called it wrong and devisive. We're going to kick some bigoted butt in the courts!
What a great time for our country!
Post a Comment