Welcome Back, America!

“If there is still anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonder if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.” Those are the words of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, spoken minutes after the nation had made their voice heard loud and clear. It was an inspirational speech that was preceded by a very gracious and equally propelling concession speech by John McCain. John promised to do all in his power to help Barack lead the country, and punctuated his pride in the landmark presidency by saying that Americans “never hide from history. We make history.“ I was very proud as I listened to the two great men speak, and I teared up a bit hearing their words of encouragement and hope for the American people. This is what democratic elections are supposed to be like. This is the type of unity, hope and change that an election is supposed to inspire within us. Democracy is supposed to stimulate our dreams, give us courage to face our fears, and give us the ambition to rise up and fight against the injustices and wrongs that plague us as a nation. It is supposed to give us hope for the future and help us unite as a country.  That is what this election did.
Barack was also well-received globally: Germans announced their delight in having their “friend back”; the president of Kenya declared a public holiday; Indonesians danced and chanted Obama’s name in the streets; Latin America stated that they look forward to a new relationship with North America based on “mutual respect”;  Nelson Mandela of South Africa was full of emotion when he referred to Obama’s presidency being more proof that there is limitless possibility regarding anyone being able to make a difference in this world; Venezuela and Bolivia asserted their optimism about reestablishing diplomacy; France, Britain, Poland, and others were equally enthusiastic and abuzz with buoyant anticipation for Barack Obama to begin reparations world-wide.
Many republicans in this nation expressed their admiration and respect for the candidate and his well-run campaign - possibly the “best in national history”, some said. The democratic majority in the senate brought mixed results from republicans; some mourning their loss, but many indicating their hopes that things will now “get done” as a result of unity in the White House. Many republicans also put forth their confidence in Obama’s ability to restore international confidence in America.
I was proud to be an American on November 4th, 2008 as I watched our country come together - and our world, as well - to congratulate an unlikely candidate from Chicago, Illinois as he announced his acceptance of the nation’s nomination; as I heard the reactions from all sides, all pushing forward toward more unity and less derision; as I watched for the first time, the candidate I believed in, being selected by our country. I was struck, after the speech, by the sudden thought of things I hadn’t thought of at all during the election process. All of that excited talk about the first African-American president, and all of the enthusiastic conversation about the first female presidential candidate, as well as the first female vice presidential candidate. It all rushed into my mind in one swoop, the monumental changes this country has made in the way it views African-Americans, and the way it views women. As I was contemplating the weight of the meaning these unlikely nominations held, I was also struck by the fact that I hadn’t pondered the African-American factor, nor the female factor, for a moment when I was making my decision for which candidate to support. What does it mean? Well, I think it means that from my generation on up, there is a beautiful oblivion in regard to race and gender; that these things are no longer taken into consideration when evaluating capabilities or potential. It’s not just my generation either; there were 80-year-old women in line to vote for Obama, as well as 80-year old men voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin. The transcendental nature of our society’s awareness and belief in the future, the wiping of race from the minds of many, and the unconsciousness of gender is something that cannot be ignored and should be addressed as a sign of the new freedom that lies ahead of us.
Along with the realization that these once-enormous obstacles of prejudice now lie helplessly choking on the dust of our newly-blazed trail, I also have the hope that America will soon become the America that we remember. The America that we enthusiastically refer to as the place where dreams come true. The America that everyone can believe in. The America that is INDIVISIBLE, with LIBERTY and JUSTICE FOR ALL. Welcome back, America… and congratulations!