(no subject)
Wow.
I am old. The year I graduated from high school was the first year that a black person had ever gone to a school I attended. I don't remember his name, he was two years behind me - and he was only one person. Bless his heart to be so alone in that sea of white teenage faces, even though everything I ever saw led me to believe he was treated respectfully...it still must have been very difficult for him. As hard as it is for me to believe, that was 41 years ago, which sounds like a lot to you younger people but seems like such a short time from where I am now.
My best friend (I have 3 best friends, I am very lucky) is black. Nean has been my best friend for 24 years. She is the sister of my heart, as well as being the best person I have ever known. I've seen her be treated differently because of the color of her skin, sometimes too close for comfort. It's broken my heart at times. But even when hurt, she has kept her grace and steadfastness and pride. I am deeply grateful to be able to call her my friend and sister, and I am proud that she lets me do so. She is the epitome of what I think people should try to be.
I am now stunned and amazed and overjoyed that my country has done the right thing. There is hope for us after all.
That's what Barack Obama means to me...HOPE. Nean asked me today how I felt after I'd asked her. She said, "It makes me proud." I said, "He gives me hope."
Did you see the people in Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta? Did you see all the people in Grant Park in Chicago? I just sat here and cried. Seeing Jesse Jackson crying...imagining the scenes that were playing in his history-filled head...this is a truly amazing, overwhelming, historical night.
I can't wait to hear what our new President has to say. I am so proud of my country tonight.
I am old. The year I graduated from high school was the first year that a black person had ever gone to a school I attended. I don't remember his name, he was two years behind me - and he was only one person. Bless his heart to be so alone in that sea of white teenage faces, even though everything I ever saw led me to believe he was treated respectfully...it still must have been very difficult for him. As hard as it is for me to believe, that was 41 years ago, which sounds like a lot to you younger people but seems like such a short time from where I am now.
My best friend (I have 3 best friends, I am very lucky) is black. Nean has been my best friend for 24 years. She is the sister of my heart, as well as being the best person I have ever known. I've seen her be treated differently because of the color of her skin, sometimes too close for comfort. It's broken my heart at times. But even when hurt, she has kept her grace and steadfastness and pride. I am deeply grateful to be able to call her my friend and sister, and I am proud that she lets me do so. She is the epitome of what I think people should try to be.
I am now stunned and amazed and overjoyed that my country has done the right thing. There is hope for us after all.
That's what Barack Obama means to me...HOPE. Nean asked me today how I felt after I'd asked her. She said, "It makes me proud." I said, "He gives me hope."
Did you see the people in Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta? Did you see all the people in Grant Park in Chicago? I just sat here and cried. Seeing Jesse Jackson crying...imagining the scenes that were playing in his history-filled head...this is a truly amazing, overwhelming, historical night.
I can't wait to hear what our new President has to say. I am so proud of my country tonight.