Dear America: A Love Letter
HOLY SHIT, GUYS.
DID THIS JUST HAPPEN? I KEPT REPEATING IT TO MYSELF BECAUSE I WAS SO CONVINCED I WOULD WAKE UP AND FIND OUT IT WAS ALL A DREAM.
BUT IT HAPPENED. FOR REAL.
Presenting Barack Hussein Obama, 44 President of the United States of America.
THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CAPSLOCK IN EXISTENCE TO FULLY EXPRESS MY JOY.
For the first time since I was ten years old, I feel proud of my country again. It feel so strange; mostly because, over the past eight years, I've grown so accustomed to feeling that being an American is worth nothing and amounts to no difference. Now I am, for the first time since I was very young, so proud to be an American citizen. I feel like we have a man that will lead us forward instead of backward. For the first time since I was old enough to vote, I feel like we have a President that I can point to and say, "Yes, he's my President!" without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
I think the thing that has struck me the most about this election is the outpouring of sheer unity and pure patriotism. I've never seen anything like it in all my life - not for sports events or movies or even Harry Potter book releases. Those times there was always at least two opposing factions fighting about something that, at the end of the day, didn't really matter. This was a celebration of epic proportions regarding the fate of our nation. This was a show of such strength and togetherness that it was almost overwhelming. Random gatherings turning into celebrations with people climbing lampposts, waving American flags, singing the national anthem (loudly and out of tune, as per usual!), and people literally dancing in the street together! When has that ever happened in modern times? When was the last time you saw such a large group of people spontaneously break out into the national anthem and really mean it? The national anthem has not made me cry since I was about six years old. I heard it this afternoon and I cried tears of happiness. I am continually touched by the American capacity to band together and achieve the amazing, do the so-called impossible.
Seriously, check it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrj_bc2Xy9s
Or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qL-CgzQ0FY
Us. We made this happen. Us and my man Barack Obama! Together.
I have to say, though I am really not a McCain fan, that his concession speech was extremely gracious; he promised to support our new President; they both care about America enormously, that much is clear. And I think it really speaks to McCain's (sudden change?) of character that he is able to support a former opponent. Not only that, but when he tells his supporters to stop booing at Obama. Twice. He recognized that it's not about Democrat vs. Republican or Blue State vs. Red State or Progressive vs. Conservative or any of that. He acknowledged that it was about the American people as a united whole, and for that, I really do give the man a tip of my hat. That he had respect for Barack makes me respect him a little more in turn. Kudos on that, John McCain.
I'm 23 years old, and I've voted in two elections so far. In 2000, the democratic system was, of course, screwed by the combined forces of Florida, the Supreme Court, and possibly Jeb Bush. In 2004 I felt like things might change, but all that happened was Bush ignoring and lying about a horrific attack on America to start a war, and use the resulting fear to manipulate the populace into voting for the one who'd begun the war in the first place. In both of those elections, I felt like the voice of the American people had been stolen from them. I felt like my own government had silenced me, and told me that my choice didn't matter. Our leader was on vacation more than at work, and America had become a global joke. For the first time in my life, I had actually become ashamed to be an American, something I thought would never happen.
But now, for the first time since I was old enough to vote, I feel like we have a President-elect who I'd be not only pleased but honored to meet. That's something I've never been able to say before in my lifetime. I keep thinking about what I'd say if I met him, how I'd act, what I could ask him about and what I'd like to share with him. Not only that, but he would listen. A President who will listen to the needs and views of his people. Yes.
America can now earn back the respect of the world that we've lost. We've lost our apathy and bombarded this election with the record highest number of voter turnout ever. We are committed and passionate and paying attention. We have broken down the walls of stereotypes and preconceived notions of what is or is not possible. We have done what those less than fifty years ago said would never happen. We have recognized the problems in our systems, seen the sicknesses plaguing the nation, and we rose up, together, to say that we'd had enough. We'll move forward to repair the country with a united sense of purpose and an aim to do good. Where else would you see this kind of unity and togetherness:
<33333
I, along with the rest of America, and indeed, the rest of the globe, have witnessed a historic moment. On Tuesday, November 4th 2008, at approximately 11:00 PM, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States of America. Everyone's making a big deal out of him being the first black President, and while he is, it's about so much more than that. It's about the will of the American people to choose the right man for the job, regardless of race. I know that if the races of Obama and McCain had been reversed, I'd still have voted for Obama; not for his skin color, but for his beliefs, policies, his determination and intelligence, his masterful ability to speak, and his clear, strong love for his family. I feel so privilaged to live in America, and to have witness such a historic time. I'm so utterly pleased that I found a canidate that I could trust, believe in, and support. That I cast my vote for, and that actually won. To have it be such a landmark historic day is only icing on the cake. The delicious, delicious cake. I can truly say, "I was there when..."
Also: Cute First Family or Cutest First Family???
More importantly, what kind of breed will the future First Puppy be?!?! :DDDD
"Remember, remember the fifth of November..."
In conclusion, America, I have great faith in our ability to get things done. Together. It's gonna be hard, but if we can do this, we can do anything.
For the first time in a very long time, I feel like America has finally woken up to see what a new dawn holds for it. We've finally remembered what we can do. We can do good for each other. Looking forward to a bright future with you all.
Love,
fm
DID THIS JUST HAPPEN? I KEPT REPEATING IT TO MYSELF BECAUSE I WAS SO CONVINCED I WOULD WAKE UP AND FIND OUT IT WAS ALL A DREAM.
BUT IT HAPPENED. FOR REAL.
Presenting Barack Hussein Obama, 44 President of the United States of America.
THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CAPSLOCK IN EXISTENCE TO FULLY EXPRESS MY JOY.
For the first time since I was ten years old, I feel proud of my country again. It feel so strange; mostly because, over the past eight years, I've grown so accustomed to feeling that being an American is worth nothing and amounts to no difference. Now I am, for the first time since I was very young, so proud to be an American citizen. I feel like we have a man that will lead us forward instead of backward. For the first time since I was old enough to vote, I feel like we have a President that I can point to and say, "Yes, he's my President!" without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
I think the thing that has struck me the most about this election is the outpouring of sheer unity and pure patriotism. I've never seen anything like it in all my life - not for sports events or movies or even Harry Potter book releases. Those times there was always at least two opposing factions fighting about something that, at the end of the day, didn't really matter. This was a celebration of epic proportions regarding the fate of our nation. This was a show of such strength and togetherness that it was almost overwhelming. Random gatherings turning into celebrations with people climbing lampposts, waving American flags, singing the national anthem (loudly and out of tune, as per usual!), and people literally dancing in the street together! When has that ever happened in modern times? When was the last time you saw such a large group of people spontaneously break out into the national anthem and really mean it? The national anthem has not made me cry since I was about six years old. I heard it this afternoon and I cried tears of happiness. I am continually touched by the American capacity to band together and achieve the amazing, do the so-called impossible.
Seriously, check it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrj_bc2Xy9s
Or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qL-CgzQ0FY
Us. We made this happen. Us and my man Barack Obama! Together.
I have to say, though I am really not a McCain fan, that his concession speech was extremely gracious; he promised to support our new President; they both care about America enormously, that much is clear. And I think it really speaks to McCain's (sudden change?) of character that he is able to support a former opponent. Not only that, but when he tells his supporters to stop booing at Obama. Twice. He recognized that it's not about Democrat vs. Republican or Blue State vs. Red State or Progressive vs. Conservative or any of that. He acknowledged that it was about the American people as a united whole, and for that, I really do give the man a tip of my hat. That he had respect for Barack makes me respect him a little more in turn. Kudos on that, John McCain.
I'm 23 years old, and I've voted in two elections so far. In 2000, the democratic system was, of course, screwed by the combined forces of Florida, the Supreme Court, and possibly Jeb Bush. In 2004 I felt like things might change, but all that happened was Bush ignoring and lying about a horrific attack on America to start a war, and use the resulting fear to manipulate the populace into voting for the one who'd begun the war in the first place. In both of those elections, I felt like the voice of the American people had been stolen from them. I felt like my own government had silenced me, and told me that my choice didn't matter. Our leader was on vacation more than at work, and America had become a global joke. For the first time in my life, I had actually become ashamed to be an American, something I thought would never happen.
But now, for the first time since I was old enough to vote, I feel like we have a President-elect who I'd be not only pleased but honored to meet. That's something I've never been able to say before in my lifetime. I keep thinking about what I'd say if I met him, how I'd act, what I could ask him about and what I'd like to share with him. Not only that, but he would listen. A President who will listen to the needs and views of his people. Yes.
America can now earn back the respect of the world that we've lost. We've lost our apathy and bombarded this election with the record highest number of voter turnout ever. We are committed and passionate and paying attention. We have broken down the walls of stereotypes and preconceived notions of what is or is not possible. We have done what those less than fifty years ago said would never happen. We have recognized the problems in our systems, seen the sicknesses plaguing the nation, and we rose up, together, to say that we'd had enough. We'll move forward to repair the country with a united sense of purpose and an aim to do good. Where else would you see this kind of unity and togetherness:
<33333
I, along with the rest of America, and indeed, the rest of the globe, have witnessed a historic moment. On Tuesday, November 4th 2008, at approximately 11:00 PM, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States of America. Everyone's making a big deal out of him being the first black President, and while he is, it's about so much more than that. It's about the will of the American people to choose the right man for the job, regardless of race. I know that if the races of Obama and McCain had been reversed, I'd still have voted for Obama; not for his skin color, but for his beliefs, policies, his determination and intelligence, his masterful ability to speak, and his clear, strong love for his family. I feel so privilaged to live in America, and to have witness such a historic time. I'm so utterly pleased that I found a canidate that I could trust, believe in, and support. That I cast my vote for, and that actually won. To have it be such a landmark historic day is only icing on the cake. The delicious, delicious cake. I can truly say, "I was there when..."
Also: Cute First Family or Cutest First Family???
More importantly, what kind of breed will the future First Puppy be?!?! :DDDD
"Remember, remember the fifth of November..."
In conclusion, America, I have great faith in our ability to get things done. Together. It's gonna be hard, but if we can do this, we can do anything.
For the first time in a very long time, I feel like America has finally woken up to see what a new dawn holds for it. We've finally remembered what we can do. We can do good for each other. Looking forward to a bright future with you all.
Love,
fm