November 21, 2008
I still feel high everytime I think of the election night two weeks ago. And whenever something feels bad, like someone cutting me off in traffic, or a restaurant getting my order wrong, or the stock market plunging... I just go back to that moment when Obama was announced the winner, and it puts all the small stuff out of my mind. Whatever troubles you, just think to yourself, yah, but we elected Obama. He won. He's going to be President!
November 11, 2008
It is not like when we were children and Christmas was over and it was a big let down. Every day since the election I continue to experience some deep emotion. Prior to the election I was obsessed with the blogs and overwhelmed by the degree of hate that was spewed on these sites, but since the election, I haven't looked at them again. I don't need to. What I know is that the majority of the people in the US support change and change candidates. I know that though race relations aren't resolved, we have taken a big step in looking at "the best candidate for the job". That is one aspect that brings me joy. The divisiveness and scare tactics that were shameful in the last Bush campaign didn't resonate this time. People looked beyond that language and made a decision on what can take this country forward. As President Elect Obama said, the question is not if you are better off now then you were four years ago, the answer to that is obvious. The question is where will we be four years from now. We, as Americans, have done what we can to answer that question and I wish him the continued path to find solutions to the monumental taks that are facing him. God bless Barack Obama and God bless the United States of America.
0 response(s) | Make a commentBy cbmw
November 10, 2008
Senator Barack Obama was elected President of the United States on November 4, 2008. It was a moment that millions honestly felt they would never see in their lifetime. I have written before about how I had doubt that America could or would ever elect an African American President. So when we flipped the television to CNN and heard/saw Wolf Blitzer announce that CNN was ready to declare that Barack Obama was President, there was a brief moment of silence.
Even though I was in a room of Barack supporters, everyone still had a moment of shock and then a loud yell of excitement and rejoiced in the fact their candidate had won, that there was a new President and that an African American was able to DO IT. I was so excited and so proud of the moment. I couldn't wait for his acceptance speech. I knew it would be the definition of a change that was upon us as a society, a nation, and a Race of people.
Of course, we had to wait for his speech. As always, the first speech is that of the losing candidate. We had to hear the concession speech. I must say that it was probably one of the best speeches Sen. John McCain had given during his campaign and I know if he had spoken with such passion and hope throughout the campaign there is no way Barack would have won so easily. Anyway, I was very happy to hear him give his speech of support and respect.
Finally the moment came and Barack walked on stage. I am from Chicago, still have family there, and just spoke with my mother who was standing in the crowd at Grant Park so that she could make sure she was there for this history making event. When he walked on stage, I felt so much emotion and just was overwhelmed with a sense of PRIDE. His speech was exactly what I expected; very poignant and inclusive. It was everything that he was and that he hoped for this country.
The next day, I had to get up earlier than usual and was trying to get ready quickly. My wife was still sleep in bed and as I was putting on my pants, it all hit me. This was all bigger than anything I imagined. It was all a moment of clarity. For me, it was the manifestation of the mantra, "you can be anything you want to be." Barack was President of the United States of America. I had to take a seat and just cry. Not cry with sadness, not cry with joy, just cry. It was my moment of realization!!!
Even to this day, 6 days later, I find myself sometime overcome with emotion that causes my eyes to tear. It's nothing I can do to stop it. It's emotion. I UNDERSTAND HISTORY and I am proud that this moment has not past. It's unbelievable!! I love this emotion and I doubt I will ever lose it. I mean I ask you, how many papers did you buy??? I know I am not the only one, understanding history means we all have had or are having our emotional moment.
No responses yet | Make a commentBy Jason
November 9, 2008
It's been almost a week since the amazing election of President Barack Obama! I still can't believe this happened. No longer is it Yes We Can, but Yes We Did! Can I get a WHAT WHAT for all of us who did everything we could, big or small, to help this remarkable, smart, calm, cool and collected man win the presidency of the United States? This election has been an unbelievable time for our country and for us as individual Americans.
This past week has also been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I have the "I Have A Dream" speech on a poster hanging in my bedroom and I always looked at it for inspiration, not knowing if I would ever live to see it become a reality. I feel so honored to be alive to witness the beginnings of what seems like a transformative time in America's lifetime.
Barack was on Oprah a year or 2 ago for his book and I hadn't really been paying 100% attention to the election at that point. In passing, I heard him say "How are you being useful to someone else?" and it completely caught me off guard. To hear a politican say something so simple, yet important resonated with me. I have that quote on a post-it and it hangs on my desk at home. I look at it each day and think "EDub, How are you being useful?" I think we should all ask ourselves this question, because until we are helping others, what's the point of everything else?
I think we all need to realize that what happened last Tuesday night is bigger than all of us. We all need to recognize what significance this has on our country and the rest of the world. I am definitely questioning a LOT of things in my life right now, but one thing I know for sure is that I want to be apart of this, not just a spectator.
0 response(s) | Make a commentBy EDub
November 5, 2008
Let's Go To Church'" />
Today is one of the most important days of my life. The United States of America has elected its first African-American president. Barack Obama's win has mobilized and inspired people from various walks of life. His win is a catalyst for real change, in our homes, our community, our country and our world.
So why am I not enthusiastic? Perhaps because I have not wrapped my mind around it.
I'm only 35, but I've studied and seen first-hand some of the injustices that have been inflicted on my Black people. Because of these injustices, I've developed somewhat of a cynical attitude towards the future of race relations and civil rights. We've come a long way, but there's so much that have been denied to us (and still being denied to us) that I can't help but be doubtful if things will change in my lifetime.
But today, I have encountered people (right here in Chi-Town), who are much older than me and have further experienced the ills of racism, swell with emotion. I've seen men and women crying, and not ashamed to do so, because they are shedding tears of joy. They speak about Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and other civil rights trailblazers who are no doubt smiling upon this day. Their eyes shine with pride, optimism and hope, now that a man, who looks more like us than the previous forty-three presidents, will usher us into a new day.
While surfing the Web, I see images from around the world who are celebrating Obama's win. People from Japan, France, the United Kingdom, his childhood home of Indonesia, and his father's homeland of Kenya, are elated for this man. They are jumping and shouting and cheering, because they appreciate the significance of this day.
And I'm sitting here like it's any other day.
I must be in shock, or my cynical nature is bigger than I thought. But I think I have the cure for my cynicism.
It's been my experience that on some Sunday mornings, you're not in a church mood unless you're actually inside a church. Once you step into the building, you gain a whole new perspective. Once the music starts playing, and the sermon is being delivered, and the congregation is rejoicing in unison, your spirit starts to stir and build into a praise and rejoice of its own, and you are ultimately glad and grateful to be in church one more time.
Well, my church will be near the White House in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2009, better known as Inauguration Day. The sermon will be delivered by President Obama. And no matter what, I WILL BE in the Nation's capital to witness Obama's swearing-in and acquiring the Oval Office. After witnessing this blessed event, there is no doubt my cynicism will dissipate, and I will join the millions of enthusiastic people who have already wrapped their minds around this historic event.
But I wouldn't be a good parishioner if I didn't invite you to come along. And you don't have to be a cynic like me. You may be bleary-eyed from crying or watching the election results all night long. Your body may be sore from dancing in the streets. Your voice may be hoarse from screaming and shouting victory at the top of your lungs. But that's alright: just get ready to do it again in 75 days. So what do you say? On 01/20/2009. LET'S GO TO CHURCH!
No responses yet | Make a commentBy Julian
November 4, 2008
Today is an extraordinary day for the entire country. I have been an Obama supporter from very early on. I have never had any doubt in my heart that he would win. And as the electorial vote is currently 207-95...I still don't.
But what makes today extra special for me is my dad, Kent Houslin.
My dad is the smartest man I know, literally. He is well read and informed about everything! Friends and family will attest to the fact that not a day goes by without my dad sending various info via email to us. The subjects run the gamut. Everything from articles on finance to conspiracy theories to why McCain is not really a US citizen (born in the Panama Canal)!
But my dad was not a citizen of this country. He has been a legal resident since migrating from Jamaica in 1965. As a legal resident you do not have the right to vote (he does has a green card, so you republicans don't have to call the INS on him!). ;)
But after the debacle of the Bush administration, my dad decided to make a change. After 43 years in this country, he applied for his U.S. Citizenship. Why? So he could vote in this historic election!
Today, along with millions and millions of other Americans, my father cast his vote for the very first time.
I am so proud of my little dad (as I call him). And I am so overjoyed that my whole family could experience this unbelievably important day together.
No responses yet | Make a commentBy House
November 4, 2008
I am fortunate to be with friends and family as we usher in a new reality. There is a new President of the United States. He isn't a wealthy American who has come from generations of money and power, but rather a man who has worked and dug deep within in order to rise above many and be elected by the PEOPLE. He is President Barack Obama.
He championed hope and progress. He championed the slogan, Yes We Can. He has won by a margin unseen before in my generation, my mother's generation and even my grandmother's generation. He has brought millions to the democratic process that have felt unappreciated and disenfranchised. So many new voters came out to be a part of this election and be a part of history.
I don't know what the future holds, but the feeling that I am feeling right now will stay within my soul for years. This is amazing for all people. This is for AMERICA!!!
No responses yet | Make a commentBy Jason
November 4, 2008
Today is November 4, 2008, the day that Americans choose the 44th President of the United States of America. This is the day that all Americans should be a member of the electoral process and let their voices to be heard. I believe voting is not only a right, but a necessity and I could never see not voting, especially when so many people have died in order to give me this right. I never understand how people, especially women, minorities, and members of the poor class don't vote after so many people fought to get them the right that is so dearly deserved.
My first voting experience was in 2000 for the Presidential election. I was an excited college student who couldn't believe that I was going to finally be able to vote. I would truly be an adult. I would be a part of the decision making process. It was a big day for me. I was so excited and nervous. I kept calling and checking on my registration in order to make sure that I was truly registered in my new state of Pennsylvania. I had to check numerous times to make sure that as a college student I was okay to be registered in Pennsylvania and not my home state of Illinois. I know I was bugging people, but this was my big moment.
The day started out as any other and I grew more and more anxious as the time approached when I would be able to go to the polls and vote. The time finally came and I was nervous and excited because I was going to finally let my voice be heard and help in choosing the next President of the United States of America. I walked up cool and confident to the table, handed the person my id and began to ask a million questions about voting.
I was quickly interrupted and told that I wasn't on the registrar. The woman said I wasn't registered to vote at that location. I began to go off. She again cut me off and told me, "Do not worry. You might need to go to another location. It would be okay." I couldn't believe it. I was so confused. I knew I was registered, so why would I be denied? I didn't understand. I walked away upset, but still excited and began to walk to new directed location.
It was a long walk because now all I could think about was what would it be like if my vote didn't count? What would it mean if I messed up in the booth and didn't vote correctly? Could I make a mistake and have a redo? How did it work? I began to become extremely nervous. I shook off the nerves and walked up to the new table and again handed my id and waited to be told which booth to vote in. The woman looked over the books and again said, “you aren't registered here”. I could have cried.
How could this happen twice? How could I not be registered? She had to have made a mistake. It's no way that she knew what she was talking about. I knew I was registered and I knew I did everything I was supposed to do for this big day. I can't even begin to fully explain the defeated feeling I felt. But that feeling wasn't going to last, because I knew I NEEDED to vote. I NEEDED to be a part of the process.
The woman then told me, I needed to go to the local police station, see the judge on duty and obtain an affidavit proving that I was indeed registered to vote. There was no way I was being denied. So I began taking a walk to the police station and sat in front of the desk officer explaining my situation. I wasn't the only one. There was another person there with me too. I couldn't believe what was happening to me. So finally after about 30 minutes, the judge handed me a piece of paper and said “go to the original polling place and I would be able to vote. Oh yeah, and you only have 15 minutes before the polls close so you have to hurry”.
Not another problem? How was I supposed to get back there in less than 15 minutes? I was so far from campus at that point. Then the other person who was with me offered me a ride. I quickly jumped in the car and rode to the polls. Ran inside and showed my paper to the woman and was quickly ushered to the booth. I finally was in a booth. Did I cry? Did I shout? What was I suppose to do? I just voted!!!! 4 hours later, I was finally able to push the button for Al Gore. Finally I was a part of the election process.
2 polling stations, 1 police station, 1 judge, and 4 hours later, I voted for the first time in my life. It made me feel a little more whole. It made me feel more like man. It allowed me to feel like I was really a part of the process. So would lines scare me this year? NEVER. Would I worry about not being a part of this election? NEVER. I will vote in every election that I can and make sure I am a part of every political process. MY VOICE will be heard.
Its not a right, it's not a privilege, its a NECESSITY!!! VOTE
0 response(s) | Make a commentBy Jason
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No responses yet | Make a commentBy AndyS