After last night's victory, I feel a sense of relief.
I know we're not there yet, but we're that much closer to having real leadership in this country again. I believe that when America needs a great leader, there's always someone who steps up to the challenge. History has proven this out time and time again.
In 2008, that person is you, Senator Obama.
As an African American (with Native American lineage), I'm very proud of you and all you have accomplished. However, more importantly, as an American, I'm extremely happy that our country has the potential to be led by a man with genuine integrity, grace, intelligence, charisma and much needed honesty.
The past few months have been really revealing for me, and I'm sure also for many of my multicultural brothers and sisters out there. You, Senator Obama, have touched people in many ways. By the very act of running for President of the United States, which is your birthright, you've forced people from all backgrounds to truly understand what MLK Jr. was talking about when he talked about judging people based on the content of their character and not skin color.
Your amazing victory in this primary proves that America is ready to do that. It is an amazing step forward in our country's history. Yes, some bitterness remains on all sides, but you were right when you decided to "trust" the good people of this country and "believe" that we (as a whole) were ready to accept you as a serious candidate.
I am not forgetting our ancestors, or the people that have come before us from all backgrounds (black, white, red, yellow, brown) who prepared the way for what's happening now. I applaud and respect their sacrifices so that I now can have the opportunity to vote for you.
But it was you who decided to throw your hat in ring this time, even though powerful people were telling you to "wait your turn". I know this took a lot of courage and faith (thank you too, Michelle). Intolerance is a fact of life in America, and it's led us to a kind of stagnation. This is another reason why I support you, because I'm a big believer in multiculturalism and the idea that it will take "everybody" to move this country forward and keep our status as an important nation.
Regardless of the tone of your skin, or where you happened to live and go to school while you were growing up, there is something "good natured" about you that comes across to people. Also, people respect someone that shows good judgement and already you've proven you have this in spades.
We Obama supporters have been criticized for fawning over you. We're not fawning, we're genuinely happy and delighted to have someone of your caliber who wants to lead this nation into a proactive future. After 7 years of incompetence, greed, bullying, war and stepping on the Constitution, we are enthusiastic and ecstatic about your candidacy.
It's easier to vote FOR someone than to vote AGAINST someone, as the 2004 elections proved. I was a Deaniac then and was crushed when Dean didn't get to run against Bush. However, I pushed the lever for Kerry, even though I didn't believe he was the best choice. And right now, any good, self-respecting democrat who supported another candidate in this primary, should be doing the same thing in November - voting for a strong Democrat over a weak Republican.
Senator, you have been gracious in defeat and gracious in winning. You ARE the right choice at the right time for America.
As you often admit, the rest of this road to the White House is gonna be bumpy, working to unify your own party is a bit like herding cats, but you now have millions of people of every age, color and background rooting for you and working hard to get you and Michelle into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Not because you are the Man or Black or Charismatic. We'll get you there because we truly want CHANGE, real change this time and not just lip service. We'll get you there because we too want to somehow participate in making this country great again. We'll get you there because we want to hold our heads up to the world again with pride. We'll get you there because we know you will get us out of this unjust war, close Gitmo, work for all Americans and restore the honor of our Constitution and rule of law.
So, thank you again, Senator Barack Obama for giving us this opportunity.
Our time is definitely right now.
Peace