You roll your eyes as the movie begins.
You scoff at the cliched dialogue. You shake your head as you observe the rest of the audience, engaged and captivated by a standard Hollywood script. Then it happens.
The climactic scene occurs and you find yourself tearing up with the rest of the crowd, caught up in the emotion and the power. You leave the theater and wonder whether you just watched a manipulative tearjerker or a cinematic masterpiece.
This is how I felt about Barack Obama winning the presidency.
I supported him, don’t get me wrong. But I was skeptical of the slogans and the hype. I wondered where the substance was, where the actually change was, and how he was different from any other Democratic candidate besides the color of his skin. At 11 p.m. I expected the victory. But I didn’t expect the emotion.
Hearing his name announced, it finally hit me. Decades ago a black man couldn’t share a water fountain with a white person. Now a black man was running the country. I thought about what this meant to both my generation and the people who had fought in the Civil Rights struggle.
I saw a shot of Jesse Jackson with tears streaming down his face. He might have had his differences with Barack, but for a man who was there when an assasin’s bullet ripped through Dr. King, I knew that those tears were real.
I walked outside and witnessed the pandemonium. Blacks, whites, Hispanics, and Asians from all walks of life cheering and marching down the streets in a state of jubilation. All celebrating one man and one moment. It’s then that I realized what Obama actually accomplished and how much he had actually inspired.
Some of the skepticism returned soon after. It was an amazing historical moment. But what now? Is it really realistic to believe that this man can somehow fix all of our country’s problems? As for black America, what exactly has Obama promised us that hasn’t been promised by any other Democratic president?
Then I thought about that young black kid living in a world of hopelessness. Who thought that picking up a mic or shooting a basketball were the only viable ways to achieve the American Dream. And I thought about what Barack Obama meant to him.
There are some things that are beyond mere politics.
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November 5th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
wow… this is probably the best post-election response i’ve read. its so simple, so clear, and so powerful. props.
November 5th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Growing up together, there was nothing ever any different between any of us. We knew, but today the whole country, the whole world, does.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I miss Ron Paul
November 5th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I’m so proud to see such a great response to this victory. This was a great way to sum up many of the emotions and celebrations that took place after 11p on November 4th. I myself was in tears and filled with nothing but joy and relief after much anticipation. The excitement and unity that took place on Penn’s campus was phenomenal. Not to mention the joy and fellowship among African Americans throughout Broad Street and in North Philadelphia. For once African American in North Philadelphia was celebrating with joy and not violence. So many embraced people they never knew. It was amazing. I have no doubt that Barak will put his best foot forward to help relieve us of the turmoil that Bush is leaving. Based on Barak’s speech last night, I have no doubt that Barak will reach across the aisle when necessary to keep this country afloat. At this point I cannot wait until November 20th. I am happy to say that this victory has begun to heal so many wounds for African Americans all over this country. I am elated to know that what our ancestors have fought so hard for has finally been taken serious based on the record number voting that took place. Thank you so much for sharing David.
Your thoughts are appreciated…