Obama Wins: What a Moment for America
When the brave, visionary leaders of the new United States gathered in Philadelphia in 1787 to form a more perfect union, they emerged with a Constitution. Amazing though it was, the Constitution was marred by an enormous and horrible flaw. Those brave, visionary leaders could not bring themselves to count the Black slaves who lived among them as more than three-fifth human nor could they give them a vote. Nor would the descendants of those slaves have the vote until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
I am fifty-four years old. When I was a boy, segregation was still both legal and socially accepted.
Yet today, an African-American has been elected President.
Earlier today, I said that in an ultimate sense, it doesn’t matter who the President is. Presidents are human beings, each bearing the common flaws of our humanity.
But as a symbol of how far our country has come in its attitudes about race, the election of an African-American president will do.
Tonight, I can’t help but feel deep pride and renewed love for my country. We have done what the brave, visionary leaders of our country could not do. We have acknowledged equality, at least for African-Americans, as not just the promise of America, but the reality of America.
I have to stop. Tears are welling up in my eyes. God bless President-Elect Obama and God bless this blessed and special land!
[This has been cross-posted at my personal blog.]
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7 Responses to “Obama Wins: What a Moment for America”
The John McCain delivering his concession speech is the John McCain who could have won the presidency. It's really a speech full of class. But he did just remind me of one of the main reasons he didn't deserve the office. Sarah Palin.
McCains concession speech showed class heretofore unseen throughout his campaign…where was this gravitas during the campaign?
Classy though, I give him that.
Geez, McCain was just so incredibly exhausted. Nice speech, but he stumbled over so many words and spoke in such a graven tone. He'll probably get his first good night's sleep in weeks tonight.
One of the talking heads noted that this election finally marked the end of the Reagan Era of politics. I've been living under the oppressive thumb of that incompetent moron and his lingering legacy for most of my life. And now, the final nail has been driven into that coffin, we can all move forward into a new, brighter future. Know hope, it's Morning in America…again!
I thought, in fact, that McCain sounded more rested and fluid and certainly eloquent than he has for weeks.
Obama became an unstoppable phenom, who not only won but won big. I too remember a time when most black people were maids and porters, so its great to move beyond race.
McCain was finally the man we've all admired in his concession speech. I think he listened too much to his handlers and became unrecognizable.
“Tonight, I can’t help but feel deep pride and renewed love for my country. We have done what the brave, visionary leaders of our country could not do. We have acknowledged equality, at least for African-Americans, as not just the promise of America, but the reality of America.”
And it probably goes without saying, but a lot of us Caucasians (“people-not-of-color”?
) share your sentiments tonight. This is truly a historic day that several of us who lived through the 60s wondered if we'd ever see.
God bless this great country of ours, and now let's get to work.
SoCal: I think so becaise I, too, am one of those Caucasian types.
Mark