We did it. We seriously did it. The reality of that is still setting in. For a few weeks I’ve been cautiously optimistic. I believed it would happen but there was still a tension when it came to it actually happening. I am not sure I even fully understand the importance of what America just accomplished. Barriers shattered. Lives changed. Not just here but all over the world. Children woke up this morning believing they could honestly be whatever they want to be, even President; Children that had no real belief in that yesterday. A man raised by a single mother and his grandparents, who lived on food stamps at one point, who rejected the high-paying jobs at Wall Street to become a community organizer on the south side of Chicago has risen to the highest office in the land. A long struggle for the African-American community has produced what may be written to be it’s largest victory to date. As I’ve seen on signs recently; “Rosa sat so Martin could walk. Martin walked so Barack could run. Barack ran so our children can fly.”
I know that a lot has been and will be said about the power of this election for the African-American community. I don’t think I’m even capable of truly understanding what it means for a man like Jesse Jackson who was there when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. But I do know that for the people of all races gathered in impromptu street parties all across the country, and revelers around the world, this is bigger than race. Much bigger. This is about a nation making a clear choice between the status quo and a more progressive path. It’s about fear and doubt being defeated soundly by hope. It’s about validating President-Elect Obama’s statement that “nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.”
I also see it as at least a small defeat for negative campaigning. America looked at all of the mud and slime and lies that were thrown at Barack Obama and rejected every bit of it. Not just by a slim margin. Resoundingly. We have spoken with a clear voice saying, “Enough is enough!”
Now the real challenges begin. Already, an aggressive Russia is testing President-Elect Obama by placing missiles on Poland’s border. Already President-Elect Obama faces the resolution of two foreign wars and the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Osama bin Laden is still at large. Health Care. Energy. Climate Change… the list goes on and on. I am certain that while President-Elect Obama feels joy in victory, he is keenly aware of the overwhelming weight that has just been applied squarely to his shoulders.
I believe he is up to the task.
It is now our job to keep him on target and hold him to the vision he has outlined for America. Do I think that it should be expected that he get through everything he has campaigned on? Absolutely not. But our involvement in our government should not be limited to getting our candidate elected. Please, stay informed. Stay involved. Stay engaged. Our government cannot represent and rule on our collective behalf if we cash out on November 5th. “Yes We Can” must not turn too quickly or exclusively into “Yes We Did.”
I believe we are up to the task as well.
Last night, after rushing home from Virginia to watch the acceptance speech, I was watching CNN when they went to video of some the streets of DC near the White House. I went out to grab a bus and a cab and head for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The scene there was a wonderful mix of joy, relief and excitement. Strangers were hugging and high-fiving each other, singing and chanting in what can really only be described as a collective civic orgasm. As folks wandered off, more arrived to take their place. It was an entirely spontaneous and entirely peaceful expression of American pride, joy and resolve. At one point, there was a spontaneous march up New York Avenue, led by people banging on pots and pans. I took some fuzzy iPhone shots outside the White House, that I will post soon.
The highlight of my evening came at around 2:30 AM. I had been outside the White House for about half an hour when a collection of the revelers, small at first, began quietly singing before a louder chorus erupted.
The song? It was the Star Spangled Banner.
Ernie, what a lovely post. I hadn’t seen that quote about Rosa Parks before, but I think it’s magnificent. Today has been a very good day indeed, one of the best I can remember: quiet, but with a deep peace and satisfaction. The promise of hope is powerful. I realize now how inept and powerless I had been feeling about this culture for a long time, because now I feel like anything is possible and I feel damn motivated to just be a better human being.
I started out not liking Obama because my #1 candidate was Hillary (and I still love her and she still is in my heart of hearts my candidate). But he has inspired and motivated me, and towards the last months of the election I felt very passionate about his campaign and also protective of him.
And yes, that image of Jesse Jackson crying was immensely moving. I was deeply touched just watching him standing there alone… his emotions… his weariness from a long struggle followed by a final immense triumph and victory that has come after a huge sacrifice for his people. Frankly I wanted to hug him!
I put a bunch of blue & white balloons outside my house close to my Obama lawn sign. I would have loved to be in the crowds especially in my dear NYC… but I lept and jumped and yelled OBAMA joyously inside my little duplex here in Del Ray. :)
I lost a lot of respect for Hillary during the primaries, but she’s more than earned it back.
And to be fair she is a HUGE part of this victory. Without her tenacity I don’t think Obama would have been prepared for the mudslinging. By the time McCain started using them, we already knew about Wright. We already knew about Ayers. Hillary’s perseverance made Obama a stronger candidate and changed the game entirely because of those things coming out early. I don’t imagine that was her intention because I believe she wanted to be President just as badly as Obama did and was trying to win, but that was the end result nonetheless.
I hope she and her supporters see and understand that without Hillary Clinton, Obama’s story may not even be possible this election cycle.
As for the partying last night, between the absolute breakdown I had after the speech and the revelry outside the White House, I feel like a new man. I feel like 8 years of doubt and pain and anger has been cleaned off of me and I’m ready to get to work on doing everything I can to help the new President make the next 8 years fantastic.