I've lived much of my life in Prince George's County, Maryland as a white kid in a predominantly black region.  I have never had any trouble whatsoever with my black neighbors, classmates, or friends that was based on race.  I've attended public schools from kindergarten to the time of my graduation from high school.  I'd like to take a few minutes to explain the situation in which I found myself and how my personal awareness of lingering racism in America was suddenly magnified.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with current political issues or the battle for the Dem nomination.  As much as I'm interested in those things, I was encouraged by my AP English teacher to publish the following short essay in some format or another.  Since DailyKos members have been so thoughtful and considerate in their comments on my previous diaries, I decided to share this end of high school prompt with my fellow Kossacks.  Thanks!

Ok, so everyone here understands that Sen. Clinton's "plagiarism" argument is ridiculous, right?  I, like most, figured she'd see the error of her handlers' ways and drop that line of attack altogether.  I was mistaken - and by the end of the debate, I was furious at Hillary Clinton.

This was the first time I've ever voted.  As I'm seventeen, per new Maryland law I had to fill out a few forms and vote on a paper provisional ballot.  It was cold and snowing...hardly anyone was there.  Thankfully, it was 10:30 am.

The meaning of hope.  I can't quote from memory everything Senator Obama said earlier today in College Park, MD, but vividly remember his explantion of this abstract idea that he's centered his campaign around.  I will always remember the building tension as he was introduced, the rousing speech he so eloquently delivered, and the soon to be 44th president's firm handshake as he warmly thanked me for coming to the event.

As President Bush once said of Vladimir Putin, "I looked into his eyes and saw his soul."

That's hope.

Ok, so I wasn't really a right-wing nutjob.  I was, however, a conservative activist and a volunteer on Republican campaigns.  As I am seventeen, it may be hard for some of you who are more experienced in the political world to understand my plight.  This is the first DailyKos diary I have ever written.

I was stuck in the darkness of Republican politics.  I struggled over my own ideology for months.  Finally, I saw the Democratic light.  That light is Barack Obama.