Yesterday a phenomenal thing happened. The United States held a very historic election, one I feel so uplifted by, and so proud to have been witness to in my lifetime. Race was never a factor in my vote, nor was religion, but now that the election is over, I am glowing in the fact that after 400 years of our country shifting from a country of slavery to one of civil war, to one of suppression and prejudice, to one of veiled freedoms and semi-equality, to one of equality in many ways (though sadly not country-wide), that our generation and our nation could see a black American rise to the highest office. I am a proud supporter of Barack Obama, and I hope that those ignorant Americans who voted against him because they believed false rumors and Republican tricks can open their eyes to accept him for all that he truly is.
Obama has the potential to unite our country, help our economy, and improve our standing in the eyes of other nations. He has the potential to make our country great again and reestablish the ideals that made our country a world leader and an advocate of peace. He embodies the very idea that America is not made of one type of person nor one set of beliefs. He is black, he is white, he is Christian with a family background of Christianity, atheism, and Islam, his father was from Kenya, he has lived in other countries and many states, and he has experienced poverty and risen to wealth. He has had such a variety of influences that have made him the remarkable man he is today, and he is married to a woman so intelligent and so dedicated to our country that her former law professor thought that she would be the one he'd someday see in a high office and will no doubt make an outstanding First Lady. He chose as his Vice President a man so respected across all parties and so experienced that the two running mates can address together the needs of not just America but of the world. Obama represents the American people. But more than that, he believes in America. And yesterday, America showed that it believes in Obama.
The record voter turnout, the willingness of people to stand four hours in lines to cast their vote, the overwhelming volunteerism, the excitement across the nation and the world as all eyes looked for the results of this election, the displays of sheer joy from ecstatic crowds -- it was impossible not to get caught up in this remarkable election. The promise of hope and change stayed alive.
In truth the election of Barack Obama is just a first step. It's a hard road to get our country back in shape. It's been damaged, and repair can't happen overnight. Not only does Obama face overwhelming challenges ahead just from those current issues discussed throughout the campaigns, but George W. Bush is working against him by creating more shocking laws that W. hopes will be difficult to remove. I will never understand what drives George W. Bush to continue to set bad policy after bad policy -- he is going down as potentially the worst U.S. president, and his final acts in office aren't even to try to improve his standing in history? He just wants to sweep across the board as the most hated President, certainly of modern times?
Yes, America did the right thing in this election. Through Obama will come change. And through Obama, America can unite. And through Obama, the world can also hope -- that the actions of the United States will be for the good of the world and for progress, and no longer a masked crusade for the goals of a few who abused their power.
Now that the election is over, I look forward to the future and the peace that we have a chance to experience. I feel the hope and the promise. Congratulations, America. Well done.
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