The Obama Effect in My Hometown: Friendliness & Hope
I was walking with my 4-year-old triplet sons to their playgroup yesterday morning when a complete stranger, a black man in dreadlocks, smiled at me and shouted from across the street: "What a beautiful day!"
"What a beautiful day for America!" I shouted back.
"Amen to that!" he said, beaming.
I don't want to make too much of this, but this has never happened to me before. In the small, very white town where I live I have never been greeted by an African American person I didn't know.
This wouldn't be worth mentioning except that my mother told me she saw a black soldier interviewed on TV who said something like, "I finally feel everyone has an equal opportunity in America." He also said "I now feel really proud to serve my country."
On NPR yesterday I heard an African American voter in Chicago say, "This is the greatest thing that has happened in this country since the Emancipation Proclamation."
Obviously blacks across the nation are elated.
Michelle Obama got a lot of flak for saying, during the election: "For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country." Implying, critics said, that she had not been proud of America before then.
To be honest, I haven't been terribly proud of my country either, especially these past five years. What with our mismanagement of Iraq, the torture of detainees, imprisoning suspects without trial, extraordinary rendition, etc., we seem to have done nothing but stain our national honor, time and time again.
This morning, however, I woke up feeling proud. Our system works. We threw the bums out. And with the election of our first African American president, we lifted the spirits of an entire people in the process.
I personally feel that voting for Obama has helped make the world a better place for my children.
Published by Jeremy Rutherfurd
An experienced reporter and editor who has worked for the Economist Intelligence Unit, Foreign Trade magazine, a China business-news site and several trade publications, I have been freelancing for the past... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentIt's been a while since I can honestly say that I voted FOR someone. I've noticed since President Obama took office the country and more importantly the world has become a more focused on humanity. I would like to thank you for your beautifully written reminder of how one person can begin healing the political wounds of the past and unite global fellowship.
I know how you feel Les. This is beautiful commentary :)
This brought a little tear to my eye. Thanks for sharing!! :)
Always proud to be an American and proud to have served her. Not so thrilled about the choice of Obama. I certainly hope, for the sake of my grandsons and your boys and all the children in America, that he does better than the rhetoric of his campaign. I hope he does better than the rhetoric of ALL the campaigns and turns the country around. You did a great job with this article! Thanks for sharing.
Totally agree with you Les, great article, and I too have seen the difference, there is definitely hope in the air. Hugs Mary
I second the motion! Your boys are so cute!!!
Agreed! =)
I hope the new dreams of the people of our nation do not become nightmares. I think Obama has a hard long road to walk. It won't be easy and I wish him well.
The whole world seems to be happier. I think he is going to improve our foreign relationships tremendously. His poise and confidence make me feel our country is in good hands.
Les...thank you for this wonderful comment. I am a proud African-American women and my spirits have certainly been lifted to heights never thought imaginable....and I must say that after this election I am so very proud to be an American!!