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a lot of goosebumps, some happy tears...
...that is some of what I've been feeling about the United States having just elected its first black president. I was driving home from a late rehearsal when the California polls closed and the election was officially projected. I wanted to start honking as though my favourite team had just won the Stanley Cup, but the streets were nearly empty so I didn't.
This is A Truly Great Moment In History, even though it feels totally natural as I watch it unfold. As recently as two years ago, it would have been ridiculous to accept as reality the notion that there would be a black man in the Oval Office. And yet in the past two weeks, it has become obvious that this would become the case. And here we are, watching it happen. How remarkable!
I most love watching peoples' reactions. One of the talking heads on CBC Radio last night was in tears. Oprah's happy, stunned silence at Obama's acceptance speech. The expression on McCain's face during his concession speech (Is it possible that even McCain was happy with the outcome? He looked it...) It's so great to see people moved in a happy direction about the president instead of the opposite.
I have trouble feeling anything but optimism over the possibilities that lie before this new president. In particular, I can't help thinking that America now has a chance to change its role in the world significantly, and that its reception worldwide will be much different now that Bush will be replaced by Obama instead of McCain. True, Obama is taking the helm at the outset of what looks to be a bloody awful storm [economically], but he might just have the charisma and concensus-building abilities to put the right pieces into place, domestically and abroad. Hopefully he does, anyway!
God bless the USA.
(And how nice that I get to retire this userpic forever, too? It is no longer needed!!!)
This is A Truly Great Moment In History, even though it feels totally natural as I watch it unfold. As recently as two years ago, it would have been ridiculous to accept as reality the notion that there would be a black man in the Oval Office. And yet in the past two weeks, it has become obvious that this would become the case. And here we are, watching it happen. How remarkable!
I most love watching peoples' reactions. One of the talking heads on CBC Radio last night was in tears. Oprah's happy, stunned silence at Obama's acceptance speech. The expression on McCain's face during his concession speech (Is it possible that even McCain was happy with the outcome? He looked it...) It's so great to see people moved in a happy direction about the president instead of the opposite.
I have trouble feeling anything but optimism over the possibilities that lie before this new president. In particular, I can't help thinking that America now has a chance to change its role in the world significantly, and that its reception worldwide will be much different now that Bush will be replaced by Obama instead of McCain. True, Obama is taking the helm at the outset of what looks to be a bloody awful storm [economically], but he might just have the charisma and concensus-building abilities to put the right pieces into place, domestically and abroad. Hopefully he does, anyway!
God bless the USA.
(And how nice that I get to retire this userpic forever, too? It is no longer needed!!!)