Exhalation, Exaltation

Wow. That word pretty much sums up the last 21 months of what was the longest presidential campaign in U.S. history. Wow. It's tough for me to write this blog because it's hard for me to put into words what I am feeling. Usually this is not the case. And usually I can actually state my feelings better with the written word. But this is going to be tough. I voted for the first time in the primaries in February and I voted for Barack Obama. The first time I saw Obama was in 2004. I was actually on vacation at the time and I was in a hotel watching the news with my parents. When I saw him take the stage at the Democratic National Convention and heard him speak with such intelligence and grace. I knew. I knew he was going to do something great. And I was right. I was almost 16 at the time and I had a lot of growing up to do, I still have a lot of growing up to do. But I knew then and I know now what I want my future to be, what type of world in which I want to live. And I think Barack Obama can lead our country into a great future and change the world in the process.

I'm in London right now and the presidential race has been a hot topic since I got here in August and probably long before then because the affairs of the U.S. are global and effect everyone worldwide. Today I saw a headline in a London newspaper that was essentially asking if Obama's win would open the door for a black Prime Minister. The actions of Americans, the act of voting a African-American man president has become an historic event for the entire world. Also apparently France hates the U.S. just a little less now. Which is nice...I guess. But that is really unimportant to me right now. Because as much as I care about how U.S. politics affect other countries and as much as I care about how other countries view the U.S. yesterday was not about them. It was about us. It was about the United States of America choosing the leader that will work the hardest for our country and for the first time in 8 years will heal our nation.

I know that Barack Obama being an African-American is important not only for our country, but for the world. And I, as a white woman born in 1988, also realize that I will never fully understand the struggle for civil rights for which many have fought so hard and sometimes died. But I do not see Barack Obama as the first African American president. I do not see him as black or white. Because his race has nothing to do with his intelligence, his grace, his wit, or his character. Of course, I can see that he is African-American and of course I can understand how that fact would affect his life. But to me Barack Obama is not just a black man. He is a good man. And his race has nothing to do with the fact that I think he will be an outstanding leader.

For once I'm not going to get political. I am not going to hash it out between Barack Obama and John McCain because it doesn't really matter right now. Because right now, for the first time in 4 years, I believe in something again. And for the first time in 4 years I am not afraid of the future. For the first time in 4 years, I have hope.

Bring it on.