I cried last night. I never thought I would get so emotional over a presidential campaign. I am beaming. So proud.
My prediction:
This is the beginning of a new nation, a new world, a fresh leadership. Obama will galvanize the entire country, compel a new patriotism – not the nationalism of hung flags after 9-11 that made so many Americans feel better after that tragic day in 2001 but also veiled the Bush administration’s deceit. Not the nationalism that shouts “we’re the best” as we do the very worst to innocent children, women, and men in Iraq and Afghanistan. The very worst to our service personnel who have lost limb and life because of Bush’s lies. That level of blind nationalism has no place in the new America President Obama will lead. Instead, we will have a continued increase in enthusiasm in this participatory democracy. Unity forged through open dialogue will be the new patriotism. More and more will get involved, enter the public discourse, vote. Obama has already elevated this discourse, despite Clintonian division and manipulation.
Clinton has ensured that everyone still talk about her today, that she remain part of the conversation, despite the fact that she lost. Crafty. I’ve been particularly distressed by the racialist language from her campaign because I never would have expected divide and conquer from the Clintons before this historic primary. How shameful that she will now go down in history, instead of as a feminist trailblazer to make us all proud, as one of the greatest threats to a unified 21st century America.
I know that in any contest, whenever the buzzer rings, as it did last night, the competing teams line up to shake hands, tell each other “good game.” If the game is for a championship, as last night was, the losing team quietly leaves the court or field and allows the winners to celebrate with fans. Clinton’s bitter, calcified stubbornness, her refusal to concede, only enhances Obama’s grace and charisma.
I hate to type about this ongoing division. Really. I’m ready to move forward. So let’s. Let’s shift toward the shining mountaintop King described.
When Barack Obama accepts the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention on August 28, 2008, it will be the 45th anniversary of King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” which was delivered on August 28, 1963. King was a powerful public speaker, and he supported his words with deeds that reshaped the United States and the world for the better. Obama is a powerful public speaker, and he has and will continue to support his words with deeds that will reshape the United States and the world, so we can truly state “we’ve done the best.”
The fulfillment of the promise is upon us, People.
Rejoice!
Comment(s)
I feel the same way about my grandmother, Martha. She had to walk behind the White children to receive Holy Communion when she was growing up in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She didn’t go to the movies because she would have had to sit in the colored section. And she still served this country as a nurse during WW II. We owe them all, sis. For everything.
Our ancestors must be the happiest angels in Heaven.
Comment(s)
Eisa:
I was so happy last night! (I cried like a fool all through the speech:-)) For so long, I’ve felt that my hope for the black community–and America as a whole–might just be in vain. I know one man can’t save us all, but so many of us now feel invigorated to keep fighting the good fight. I don’t feel silly about my hope anymore! I talked to my mother this morning and we both said we never thought we’d feel this way in our lifetimes. I’m so glad she’s alive to see this day. What a blessing!