I am feeling amazing. It's not because I have three presentations, two tests and a paper due in the next two weeks. It's because we have HOPE and CHANGE...well, at least the promise of those two.
I know that there are a lot of different reactions to the new president, but I can't tell you how proud I am, for the first time in a long time, to be an American; to be part of something.
Today I was talking to my mom and she said, "I just felt a sense of doom," when she watched Obama speak for the first time as President-elect. This presidential election has been the hardest for me. While Stephen and I have had soooo many spirited conversations about the state of our nation, the promises of candidates, and our longing to be a part...our need to help the change...my parents and others that I so admire continued to be single-issue, fear-based, self-induced ignorant voters.
"Please," we'd beg. "Just read up on the issues. Here's a non-partisan website." "No," they'd reply. "We know where we stand."
Now with Obama so close to office, people continue to be skeptical, wary, and sometimes--racist. Why can't we unite under the banner of hope? Why can't we all work for change? Aren't we all tired of politics as usual and disrepect for the middle-class?
I still hope that we can unite under this presidency. I hope that Obama keeps his promises for bipartisanship, peace, and help. And I hope that I can be a part of it.
Until then, Stephen and I are feeling great. It's a new day.
