Watching the election results trickle in and like magic just past the 11:00 hour, the screen on my TV flash “Barack Obama elected the 44th President of the United States”, I could feel goosebumps on my skin. Sure was a historic moment. Not so much for the race part. Yes it does matter but for the mobilizing effect that Obama had on the young voters and the college educated voters. It was easy to the see the joy on those shining faces that showed on TV. The happiness in making history.
Watching my bro sign up for campaigning in our county I wondered what difference does it make specially when you can’t vote. It does make a difference and our county that has traditionally voted Republican picked Obama this time. The triumph of the minions of committed volunteers in each of these suburbs that made the difference.
While the media goes to town playing up words like historic, beyond racial boundaries and all keywords you find on the average website right now, what struck me most was the graciousness of McCain’s speech. With that ending note he forever earned my respect. Irrespective of who wrote that speech for him, he delivered it with conviction and stepped aside with innate grace. Hats off to McCain for that!
I did not get to hear Obama’s first address after his win, I am sure I will hear snippets all through the day and probably catch a recorded version somewhere. The sight of him hands linked to his young daughter will be etched in memory. I couldn’t help thinking what must be going through that little girl’s mind. Watching and taking in the impact of what is happening in her dad’s life. I am also a little scared of how Obama is going to manage the weight of expectations set on his young shoulders. Not just because of people here in the U.S but worldwide.
As we wait to see how all this pans out in the years to come, I am sure there will be a day we will look back and say “Yes! We did!!”.
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