Barack Obama 44th US President - so What??!?!

November 4, 2008 - will go down in history as one of the most symbolic days in American History. It was the night when the "impossible dream" became possible. It was the night when collectively our voices became one. Across all racial, social, ethnic, political, economic, religious and gender lines we stood for CHANGE. It was the night when in the shadow of 200+ years of slave history, the son of an African and European American rose to become the 44^th President of the United States of America. It was the night many had written off and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr had dreamed of, almost 45 years ago.

As I watched the historic moment unfold, and in the midst of all the celebration - I thought, so what?!? So, what does an Obama win really mean?

To John McCain, who was most gracious - as her turned the pages and ushered in the new chapter with a concession speech that was phenomenal. An Obama win was reflected in the tone and words of his address. He (McCain) talked about working together with PRESIDENT-ELECT Obama to put COUNTRY FIRST. Overall, he gave his support and showed respect for every single American (by addressing us as a nation not just a collection of Red and Blue States). Senator McCain spoke to Barack Obama's ability to inspire disenfranchised voters and touted this election's special place in history. In his own words, McCain said that; " he (Obama) managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who once wrongly believed they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving." McCain summarized; 'I will do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.'

For every single American and World Citizen, an Obama win does not mean that the struggle is over in ANY way. What an Obama win should mean is that with positive dialogue and the "Audacity Of Hope;" anything is truly possible.

When, our next First Lady Michelle Obama (love the sound of that) spoke about being proud of "her country" for the first time in her life with her husbands candidacy, many tried to twist her words and turn it into something un-patriotic. However, her words were reflected in the faces of the millions of people who attended election night watch parties last night and the well wishes to her husband that have streamed in from across the world.

I have to say that as a parent, just because I scold my children, tell them about bad behavior or spank them every now and then, does not mean that I do not love them or am not proud of them. What that does mean is that if they get out of line, my deep love for them - will not allow me to stand by idly without telling them about themselves. In the chastisement, I am only hoping that they will be the better for it - likewise for my nation. I could not simply let my children eat ice-cream all day without offering equal portions of vegetables - because to engage them only in dessert would be to endorse unhealthy behavior that would not lead to a positive outcome. I call my kids on their bad or inappropriate behavior as a way of making them stronger and better individuals. Likewise for the nation we all love and hold so dear.

PRESIDENT- ELECT Barack Obama in his speech was his usual cool, calm and collected self. He savored the moment and shared his victory with his entire team -Axelrod, Plouffe, Biden and of course his wife, children, and their families. Most importantly, he made it very clear that without his countless supporters, volunteers and the American people this moment could not have come to fruition. With both an electoral and popular vote mandate solidly in hand, Barack Obama stepped in front of the nation and world - from Grant Park in Chicago reflecting the best of all of us. In his words and unique style, Mr. Obama said with the truest of conviction;

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

"It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

"It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled, Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. "We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

So, what an Obama win means is that CHANGE can only come - when we work together for the common good of our nation, our world and our next generations. We cannot stand by and not look out for one another and expect success or prosperity - yes folks, there IS no I in TEAM.

So, are you ready to get busy TEAM? Cause we've only just begun - and the PRESIDENT-ELECT cannot do it alone. We must all continue to do our part to change our homes, our communities, our states, our nation and our world, because it belongs to each and every one of us.

Let's do this - YES WE CAN!