The United States of America is going to have its first black president come January 2009 and that's pretty cool. Actually, it's awesome!
When CNN declared Obama as the winner, I had this surreal feeling. Was this really happening? And in my lifetime? There are no words to describe the rush of emotion that came over me. I didn't cry but I did a lot of smiling. I smiled as I listened to Roland Martin talk about how he felt honored to be one of the newscasters on such a historic night. I smiled as I watched people in Africa cheer for Obama. I smiled as Michelle Obama and her two little girls walked onto the stage. And I smiled as I texted my friends and family, sharing the good news with them.
So what does Obama's win mean to you?
19 comments:
Well, history has been made and a great barrier has been broken (that should have been broken a long time ago - hence the reason why the victory of Obama was phenomenal and global because it was coupled with other things relating to US international issues). Yes there is a sense of change all over the world - an era has ended and a new one has begun. But Obama winning the election is the easy part, staying in office successfully is a whole other thing entirely. It will be challenging to say the least but the rewards will be immense once done properly. This is not a job for the fainthearted and hopefully I hope it will challenge our corrupt African leaders in politics to be better in governing their nations in Africa.
It means that Dr. King's dream is still alive and that a lot of disenfranchised voters will begin to feel that their votes really do matter. I see a change in the political process both locally and nationally.
Adriann
It was a great night for America! And a "win" for reconciliation."
It was good to see that we as a country will not limit someone based on the color of their skin. This should inspire everyone to dream big dreams. I'm concerned about the principles that he will stand on and fight for though. Will they be Biblical or worldly? To paraphrase MLK, what's on the inside (the content of his character) is more important than what we see on the outside. We need to pray for Obama. No man or administration can fix the problems that this country faces. I believe Obama is a nice guy, sincere ... but lost spiritually. What are your thoughts on his belief system?
A little bit of background first:
8 years ago I voted for Bush. My reasoning was that I was a new Christian and my vote was because I felt that the Republican party shared my values. Turns out they don't. For the last 8 years we have seen a Republican party that is driven by greed, and ultimate control of American lives. Did you know that the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. ACT included a clause that stated that if there ever was an extra need for police to control the community correctional officers from prison could be ordered to gas the inmates so that they could focus on maintaining the public? I don't know about any of you but that scares the heck out of me! Safety for the price of freedom. What a horrible trade that was.
Fast forward through eight years of foreign relationship alienation, unnecessary wars, and corporate bailouts. This nation is done with the lies. Done with seriousness (everyone's a terrorist!) and the fear mongering. I couldn't imagine what life would be like if McCain and Palin were voted in. 4 - 8 (or more) of the same crap?
This year I wrote in Ron Paul out of principal because I believe his viewpoints on freedom and economics were what an ideal Republican SHOULD be. Since I live in CA, it would matter who I voted for because Obama was going to take our state anyway. I knew Ron Paul wouldn't win because mainstream Republicans don't care about what they should anymore so I was hoping for Obama.
All of that being said I'm glad that we have a president who has integrity. Who actually knows about the rest of the world. Who wont sacrifice our freedom. Who has a calm temperament. I'm not worried about his inexperience because that is what we need right now. New ideas and new ways of approaching problems. At least he doesn't think Africa in only one country (Palin does!) So yeah, I feel at ease.
On the other hand, I feel some uneasiness about the reactions of a few narrow-minded individuals who dislike him simply because of his race. I have noticed a lot more racism in the last few days. I worry for him and his family. Being the first African-American anything in this country has always come with a black lash of hatred and racist anger. We are going to see in these next few days the real motives behind rejecting Obama as president. There will be certain people watching his every move, waiting to pounce on and criticize any decision he makes.
He will persevere just as David persevered and defeated Goliath. I believe Obama really has the heart of God unlike Governor Palin and the rest of the right wing conservatives who slanders Obama and calls him a terrorist.
Really candid and excellent comments from Triple Threat. Ultimately we need to pray as roger_tq stated. It is a biblical that has run through from the Old Testament right through to the New Testament very clearly. We need to pray for this government and pray that the Lord's will be fully realised where His Kingdom is concerned in this world we live in. His light makes the difference in the darkness. Changes have been made but they must be maintained and grow to be truly transformational.
I meant to say "it is a biblical principle and truth that has run through..."
A number of people may feel that Obama's victory is everything to do with race relations primarily but that is not true. You might as well say that every Christian movie is a success because it is made by Christians - which we know is not true at all, in fact the general consensus is that many Christians (and unbelievers) get turned off as soon as they find out it is a Christian movie, based on the poor reputation Christian filmmakers and their films have had in the past (but that is rapidly changing and I think it will only get better). It is exactly the same thing with black people or people of mixed heritage. No one in this day and age will just vote simply because of colour (why the worldwide celebration from different nations who were not black). No, it is because Obama was very strategic in his approach and won people over by presenting new ideals and new ways of doing things something the old guard did not seek to alleviate or see as issue worth addressing. Obama went for the grass roots and was raising funds from very unusual places and people - and that is humility. It had to be more than just an issue of race. In fact in the early days a lot of black people were quite wary of him based on the issue of race, and therefore would not back him. I just want to state one thing principally - we cannot want new things without changing the environment to which they come in to and that is what this election has been about. But we still need to pray and seek the Lord's will - this world at the end of the day is not where it is all at - it is building God's Kingdom and living within God's will that is above all else, and for every believer, that should be our principal focus.
Off topic: if you could suggest some good Christian movies, I would really like to watch them. I would like to see a Christian movie that talks about REAL issues too.
Awesome comments everyone! I agree that prayer should be on the top of the list when it comes to Obama (or any world leader).
One of the main issues I hope that God will soften his heart is in regards to abortion. He seems like he has a genuine compassion about single mothers because of his upbringing and I like that about him. But what if his mother grew up in a society where abortion was being pushed for normal? What if she, a white woman from Kansas, decided to give into society's pressure and not deal with the criticism that came with having a "black baby"? Because from what I know Planned Parenthood started as an organization to terminate the rise of colored population. Just imagine what this election would have been like if Obama had never been born!
I pray that he comes to the realization that even those unborn children who come from tough circumstances deserve a chance to live because you never know who they could turn out to be. And what God might have in store for them to do.
It means that finally race is not the deciding factor of who can do the best job. I have been overlooked for positions in the past that I am certain were a result of the color of my skin. It was the most special day for America. I will never forget it!!! I'm still on Cloud Nine!!
I cried. I shed tears of joy for the moment, for my son, for my family and for the Nation. I cried because this year I turned 40, and so did the anniversary of MLK's death. . . but a dream was realized. I cried because it was the only way I could express my elation at a clear victory for one so worthy of the post. . . I cried, because my son is biracial, and I can breath a little easier as I watch him grow up because there will be a shift in mindset. I cried because I was overjoyed!
There is a fascinating story on some of the voter decisions that put Obama over the top at
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/09/weekinreview/09sokolove.html?scp=1&sq=Levittown&st=cse
The election really did transcend race, but there was a reverse Bradley effect: voters who did not admit until the last minute that they really WERE going to vote for an African American candidate!
There is some good Christian commentary at
http://carolinewilson.typepad.com
I think what undecided voters saw in the debates and final weeks was a man who thinks before he acts, and once he has accepted a course to take, acts decisively. I still remember him for the line "We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents going through our library records in the red states." He broke up the map to match that observation.
I'm not so sure what "soften his heart on abortion" means. If it means, support criminal laws to put women and doctors in prison, I don't support that. I don't think SolShine meant that either, but there is not much else that GOVERNMENT can do. I frankly don't believe abortion is much business of the president anyway, and I would be happy if he simply recognizes that and refuses to use the White House as a bully pulpit for perpetuating the controversy.
I think most of the rest of the world, who wish they could vote for our president, since our choice has such an impact on everyone, is looking for someone who will have more empathy. I am happy to have a president who can INSPIRE a good part of the world to love and respect the USA, for our better nature, instead of scaring them to cooperate with us (or resent and attack us). It does look like a new day, as much as any electoral decision can.
I will not read this blog any longer.
Tracey, I'm sorry that your views on Obama will stop you from reading my blog but so be it. I can't please everyone. I wish you all the best!
You and your readers will enjoy this post:
My Chicago Election Day Diary
Yup.
I wonder why Tracy decided not to read any more - with no explanation.
Scanning through your posts - it appears that your views have been pretty well documented and are consistent.
Could it be because she just does not care for Obama?
I don't think that one should dismiss knowledge and particular view points just because they do not agree with the ideas. That is ignorance.
Thanks for stopping by Kofi. I read your recount of the day and it was very detailed and interesting.
After the inauguration, Joe Klein observed in TIME that Obama won without insulting the intelligence of American voters. That is something to be proud of. More recently, Klein noted that Obama's policies will be nuanced, and will not please anyone overmuch. I like that too. He's trying to do a good job, not trying to please a crowd. If he does please a crowd sometimes along the way, more power to him.
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