When Bush was first sworn in and started stepping on the world like a bully in the playground, I wasn't surprised when the planes hit the Twin Towers. My first thought was, "I told you so." But then I saw America pull together, with Bush calling upon his people not to let hatred divide the nation and not to let terror rule your lives. It was a proud and beautiful moment -- but we all know where that far too quickly led.
Last night, watching the voter turn out -- not matter who was voted for -- it was inspiring. And the results themselves? Well, I don't really understand the specifics of the CHANGE that Obama has been speaking about, but there was definitely CHANGE last night forward. Frankly, the fact that he's African American seems far far less important than everyone will make it out to be. Some people might have voted for or against him because of race, but I'm certain that it's his ideals that have won out in the end because obviously a whole lot of people share those ideals.
I don't know what I expected from his speech. Perhaps something "American" and boastful. I haven't heard him speak before, but I ought to have known better because he's never shown evidence of being like that. What he did say though, it does give me hope. It was a harsh truth speech that promised that, while change was imminent, it would be hard and long earned. And while the president has the burden to bear, it's all of the American people's duty to work towards that.
I hope Americans also realize now that, while they need to come together as a nation, they also need to come together as part of a global nation. The world is watching. We always have been. Give us good reason to respect American pride.
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Date: 2008-11-05 08:25 pm (UTC)Last night, watching the voter turn out -- not matter who was voted for -- it was inspiring. And the results themselves? Well, I don't really understand the specifics of the CHANGE that Obama has been speaking about, but there was definitely CHANGE last night forward. Frankly, the fact that he's African American seems far far less important than everyone will make it out to be. Some people might have voted for or against him because of race, but I'm certain that it's his ideals that have won out in the end because obviously a whole lot of people share those ideals.
I don't know what I expected from his speech. Perhaps something "American" and boastful. I haven't heard him speak before, but I ought to have known better because he's never shown evidence of being like that. What he did say though, it does give me hope. It was a harsh truth speech that promised that, while change was imminent, it would be hard and long earned. And while the president has the burden to bear, it's all of the American people's duty to work towards that.
I hope Americans also realize now that, while they need to come together as a nation, they also need to come together as part of a global nation. The world is watching. We always have been. Give us good reason to respect American pride.