Alright, I admit I was a non-believer. When Bush won the 2004 elections after what I thought was a bad four years, I realized I did not understand America’s priorities. I wondered what the magic was to Bill Clinton’s victory in 1992, if the Lewinsky saga and his opinionated wife contributed to America’s distaste of the Democratic party, and whether I would ever see America vote Democrat again.
I need wonder no more.
Not only did America vote Democrat, they did it in numbers unsurpassed in recent elections. They went all the way to the left choosing a “radical liberal” or as others like to call him “a socialist”. Ooh, scary! They voted for a Democratic House, and a Democratic Senate, in addition to the White House. I can just imagine how the conservatives feel right now. Nightmare!
Americans have spoken. They’ve proved that being an American is more broadly defined than Palin’s narrow Americanism of fundamental Christians, small-town folk, the supposed average American – Joe Six-pack and family etcetera undsoweiter. Minorities are American too. Urban dwellers are American too. Recent naturalized immigrants are American too. Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans, atheists etc. are all American too.
McCain lost at Palin. That’s unfortunate. In trying to undermine Obama’s pick of a male vice-presidential candidate, it seemed he chose a candidate based mostly on gender and partly on her conservatism. I am all for the advancement of women. Sexism is very much alive in America and I believe that Hilary Rodham Clinton suffered its effects during her campaign. But, Palin was the wrong woman, simply put. Either Obama or Biden will do more for women’s rights than she would ever do. I don’t like to see a woman held up to ridicule but she got herself played big-time! I just hope that people don’t look at her as an example as to why no woman can lead the United States anytime soon. I do believe that can and will happen, and in my Wellesley heart, I know it’s going to be a fellow alumnae.
McCain/Palin also lost at assuming that a campaign centered on how anti-American, how radical, how foreign and scary Obama is instead of the issues at hand would be enough. I said it once before and I’ll say it again. SHAME! Lies and scare tactics did not prevail in the end. Apparently, Americans were tired of the politics, the attacks, the divisiveness, and the demeaning attitude of certain people in the GOP.
Worst of all, Americans voted against the war-hero and veteran, like they did in 2004 (Kerry – Vietnam) , 2000 (Gore – Vietnam), and in 1996 (Dole – World War II). It must be a liability to run a presidential campaign based on how much of your life you put on the line to serve your country because America doesn’t seem to care! SAD!
President-Elect Barack Hussein Obama!
How sweet is that?!
We’ve all read those studies that show that having an ethnic-sounding name puts one at a disadvantage when job-hunting. So to those with ethnic names who at times wondered why their parents didn’t name them Bob, or Becky, or Lisa, hurrah, the next President of the United States has not a single English name! He has solid American roots but also has familial ties to foreign countries (Kenya, Indonesia) to which first-generation Americans can relate to and be inspired by. Yes, you can.
And, um yeah, he’s the first African-American President-Elect of the United States of America. But of course, if you believe the Africana Studies fanatics, he would be the sixth American president of Black heritage right behind T. Jefferson, A. Jackson, A. Lincoln, W. Harding, and D. Eisenhower. I kid you not!
I’m also amused by the same certain people who now claim that Black people cannot whine anymore. Obviously America electing a Black president indicates that racism is long dead and “the man” is no longer keeping Black people down. Oh boy! I wish it was as simple as that.
I’m bemused by those accusing Black Americans of racism for having overwhelmingly voted for one of their own. Excuse me? Black Americans always overwhelmingly vote for the Democrats…when they vote at all.
I’m glad I got to witness history. November 4th, 2008 found me in good spirits. Here in Boston, Massachusetts, patients and medical staff alike were optimistic and motivated. “Have you voted yet?” flowed so easily right after “Did you take your medications this morning?”, or “Doctor, can I ask you something?” It was beautiful. Clinic was fun, and if you know me, you know that clinic is never fun.
After clinic, I joined a German guy I had recently met at an election watch party. I was still in denial – not anxious, just in denial, but amazingly, my companion was cool. He brought with him a map of the United States, a red pen, and a blue pen, and had already outlined the states he thought would definitely go one way or another. He called an Obama/Biden victory before the night even begun but I held out until CNN called the Western states right after their polls closed and overwhelmingly gave the electoral vote to the Democratic ticket. The people in the lounge we were in were obviously Democrats as the air was heavy with excitement. It felt great sharing in with their joy. Later, I headed down to Cambridge, to Harvard Square, where the young people were partying, honking horns to the tune “Yes we can” , and shouting O-ba-ma into the wee hours of the night.
A lover of mangoes. A woman - smart, without pretense, lefthanded, Afropolitan - navigating this thing called life. An unapologetic believer in social justice and karma. Choosing to radiate positive energy and be true to myself. Here, my musings.
YES WE CAN!!! Yay, November 4, 2008 will be a day that everyone remembers. So glad I got the opportunity to share the experience with everyone else!