Writer's Note: I wrote this at 10:29am, while millions of Americans are waiting in line, or for many, who have already cast their ballot to elect the next President of the United States. I wrote this while we still don't know who will be elected. I drafted another note just in case our leader comes short in his fight to win the presidency. Also, this is my first diary, and Barack's victory makes this even more sweeter! -LUlion07
Tonight, history was made. The election of our nation's first African American president. A sight that I, even at the tender age of 24, thought I may never see in my lifetime. As I write this, overwhelming emotions of happiness, joy, and, yes, sadness, fills me. Follow with me below the fold.
Sadness, for that Barack's grandmother, affectionately known as 'Toot', went home to the Lord before she could witness this historic day. Sadness, for my own grandmother, who died 7 years ago this year in December, who lived through the Depression, saw King's rise to greatness and witnessed the aftermath of his assassination, and RFK & Bobby Kennedy's assassination, the riots of 1968 and the devastation those riots left in my hometown of Washington, DC. Who instilled the same values Toot instilled in Barack: love for family and others, service to our community, dedication to the job you do, and a unbinding love for our country. Sadness, for that it took this country 232 years to overcome and shatter one of the largest glass ceilings and hopefully take a step in the right direction in the area of race relations, elect an African American to the highest office in the land.
Happiness, that someone is finally in office that will restore our great nation to its once revered glory. That a man, who from day one, stuck to his convictions and his promise to run a campaign based on hope, not fear; unity, not division; change, not the status quo. Barack Obama embodies the true American spirit, that anything is possible if we believe in our dreams and work hard to accomplish them.
Joy, that a new generation of Americans, the so-called Millennial generation, which I am a member of, actually stepped up to the plate and MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD, and not just sitting on the sidelines hope that change happens, but instead actually fighting for that change. We no longer listened to the pundits who, even still to this day, doubted that we will be a serious voting bloc, that Barack was playing political Russian Roulette in counting on the support of young voters.
You've done us well, Barack. I cry these tears of joy not only for your victory, but for all of us who have had to pull ourselves by our bootstraps, get down in the trenches, and fight for whatever we wanted. Who didn't have the golden parachute of a wealthy family to fall back on. For those who grew up on food stamps, and government peanut butter, powdered milk and eggs, and canned pork. For those who achieved the American dream the hard way, through dedication, hard work, get-down-in-the-trenches and get your hands and kness dirty, who took out student loans to make it through school. Who ate Oodles and Noodles as if their life depended on it. Your victory tonight is an inspiration and victory for those, like me, who didn't have it easy. But yet, we still made it.
Thank you, Barack, for making me feel even more proud to be an American. Thank you, Barack, for letting me know that my voice, and even more importantly, my vote, does indeed count. Thank you, Barack, for showing us that we don't have to fall to the politics of division and fear.
There's a lot that has to be done to restore our great nation to its former glory. We now have the leader to steer us in the right direction.
Grandma, when you see Toot in heaven, give her one of the big hugs you used to give me, and thank her for raising Barack to be the great man he is today.
Congratulations, President-Elect Obama. Today, we celebrate and salute your victory. Tomorrow, the hard, challenging, and difficult task of turning this country around begins.
Godspeed in the days, months, and years ahead!