Thoughts on Barack Obama’s presidential sweep…

"My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all
the morning rain clouds up my window and I can't see at all
And even if I could it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall
it reminds me that it's not so bad

it's not so bad

I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life"

-Dido "Thank You"

I am so damn happy today that I can’t control it. Even after a night of just 3 hours of sleep (from watching and waiting to hear results…we are 8ish hours ahead of the Midwest in SA) I was so energized when I woke up. I have so much studying to do for a final exam on Friday, but I can’t stop thinking about the events of the last 24 hours. This is truly a great day in American history and, by default because of our position at the top of the global food chain, world history!! Yeah it’s corny. Yeah it’s been said so much that it probably doesn’t even register in your ears anymore. But, dammit, it’s true.

After George Bush defeated John Kerry I remember how depressed all my friends and general cohort were. “4 more years of Bush” we were all thinking and dreading. Everyone felt so paralyzed. I felt like our country was out of control on a highway to the danger zone (and not in an inspirational 80s kitsch sort of way). I felt like were just going to alienate more of the world. I felt like our elected leaders were just going to loot and run ragged over a truly great nation and its people. As well as over other nations and their great people. I remember feeling like I didn’t understand my country and its people at all. Like…who really voted for Bush…and how could they be so stupid…again. Didn’t they read the newspaper? Didn’t they pick up on the blatant lies and dishonesty of that regime? Didn’t they see all the harm these people were doing? Their brazen disregard for anyone but themselves? I think that a lot of people felt as if all their power to change things and make a difference had been stripped from them. Again, paralyzed.

I guess the only good thing that came out of George Bush’s reign is that we were finally motivated enough to do something about it. So, thanks W…I guess the universe really doesn’t close a door without opening a window.

Barack Obama is a man. Just a man. Not some super god or crazy terrorist or socialist freak…just a man. But it’s amazing how one man’s journey to the White House has brought so much positivity to so many people’s lives. I witnessed it first hand when I was at home during the primaries. I can only imagine what his actual presidential run did for people. I saw it, through my own tears of joy, in the tear-streaked and smiling faces of people during the Grant Park rally (which I watched live thru CNN.com). I feel it in the facebook status updates that have been changing throughout the day. Even Jesse Jackson was reduced to tears on national television. It’s a palpable hope that stands in the place of a dark void that was sunk into so many of us.

I know not all of you are happy that Barack Obama has won. There are even people in my own family that doubt his character, qualifications, and motives with our country. I think I can say to you that although a candidate you may identify more with didn’t make it…I’m sure that Obama’s leadership will do so much to foster hope and positivity in all of our lives. Whether you support him or not. You’ll see. Give it a chance instead of being a hater. It will probably be a thankless task, but I can promise you that we will all see a change for the better. There’s no way one administration can undo all of the bad that has been done through Bush’s people…although it will help to have a Democratic majority in the legislature. I have a feeling Obama’s term is going to be ineffectual in many ways because his people are going to be up against such a huge task. But he succeeded in one thing already…turning the tide. And honestly I think that is a great accomplishment on its own. Even if I didn’t know a thing about Obama, I would have voted for him on the hope factor alone…cos it’s the one intangible thing our country needs the most right now.

I honestly don’t believe that McCain as a president could ever take our country in the positive direction that we are already headed in. Business as usual isn’t going to work anymore. I hate to play on the age old “those crazy kids” scenario…but here it comes. The young people of the USA came out in DROVES to campaign, financially support, and vote for Barack Obama. We are the voice and muscle of tomorrow. I think it’s only fitting that we have a president that reflects that. That is going to bring a breath of fresh air to the presidency. I’m not suggesting that those of you headed toward the age of my parents and older are on death’s door. I’m not suggesting that your voice should no longer be heard. But I am suggesting that maybe it’s time we had a fresh president that makes concrete and positive plans for the future. No more crusty old men and their status quo!!! They clearly have had their chance to make our country great…but see what they have done with the place. It’s our turn now.

On that same tip, I also think it’s so great that so many young people came out to vote and support politics. It does no good for us to stay silent. It’s good that we get involved now because of the people around today…we are going to be running the show pretty soon.

And oh yeah, Obama’s a black man. Okay ½ black man. I know that it’s been touted until the cows come home. I only just really thought about it today. It was like a lightning bolt that hit me. If you haven’t actually thought about the significance of this…take a moment to do so now. Take a moment to think that in my parents’ lifetime (and maybe some of your lifetimes) that this man would have been a second class citizen. That his movement would have been regulated in public spaces. That he would have been denied basic freedoms and rights that the white majority takes for granted (like voting). And on and on. Imagine you are my friend Kai’s grandmother…an 80+ year old black woman seeing a black president elected after all the racial hardship you must have faced/witnessed in your own life. I hope your mind is blowing up right now just like mine did this morning.

Like it or not, America represents a diverse tapestry of cultures/races/religions. Yet, the leaders we have do not really represent this. Obama was the ONLY black senator. And I think the first black senator. Even women aren’t reflected. Nancy Pelosi only just became the highest ranking woman in the country in the last few years. This must end because it’s a system that is not made to reflect the diversity that makes our country so great. I think we were bound to have a woman or minority elected official in a high position (like president) at some point. Who knew it would happen today? And, sorry, but thank GOODNESS it’s not that lap dog Sarah Palin. That truly would have been 1,000 steps back in time for all of us. That woman actually makes me ashamed to share the same gender as her. I don’t say that often, but I’m saying it now. It will be good to have a president that can identify and truly consider the needs and aspirations of a, so far, largely unheard (yet important) group in our country. Someone who has lived and experienced the complexities of race in American society. And I also think that Obama’s presidency will energize more black people (and other minorities) to participate. I think it already has just from the voting that has taken place. I wasn’t all young people that came out in record numbers to vote. It’s OUR country…and that ‘our’ includes a hell of a lot of different people.

I think I’m almost done on reflections. Unfortunately they are already sort of clichéd, but I just felt like writing today. Like I said, I’m so moved. I’ve been living in a foreign country for almost 2 years now. My Americanness is one of the most defining features of my identity here. It’s something I completely take for granted at home when I’m among other Americans, but here I am “the American.” Not even Lynsee…just “Die Amerikaner.” Being away from the nation that raised you up really teaches you infinite lessons on the very fiber of your being. It shows you how your country (and its values and culture) has shaped your views, attitudes, and even how you talk. Whether you like that or not. I have learned to love the United States so much more since I’ve been away from home. To appreciate all that we have. But, at times I still feel ashamed to be an American. Embarrassed. I know all countries have a spotty history, but ours has some very very bad moments that tend to get glossed over a lot. We have so much power and have chosen to use it so negatively. The current administration has certainly given me MUCH to be ashamed of as an American. People here give me crap about being an American all the time, and rightly so. It’s good natured for the most part, but it often plays on a number of negative aspects of our society that make me uncomfortable. But today I feel different. I feel like I can run down the streets shouting “I’m an American!!!!!!!” And that I can do that with pride. Not some flag waving nut job sort of pride. Real pride that comes from deep deep within.

Just a small note on the reaction here…

I live on a very small, very conservative campus located in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of a major city. I think it might almost be like attending university in the deep south. Freaky, huh? I have heard from some of the other students on campus that some people here have been upset that Obama is the next president of the USA. But no one that actually feels that way has expressed that to my face. And they probably won’t either. I’m sure that from attending classes with me for almost 1 year now that they know I’m a bit of a liberal swinging person that would probably side w/Obama. And, frankly, I don’t think many of them have the guts to face me. But I might be wrong…

Most of the people I know here are really happy that Obama’s won. I’ve been monitoring facebook all day and most people (here and at home) have been expressing joy at the victory. I’ve gotten a lot of text messages of congratulations from friends today and I’ve doled out some high fives and hugs. I was interviewed on the radio this morning (re: my reaction to the victory) and the papers have been plastered w/”Obama Wins” and such.

Here’s some of the facebook status updates of my South African friends:

… ponders 'In 10 years, we will end our dependance on oil from the Middle East' ~ Barack Obama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQGsP8mnHsg)

CODE RED - White house just done turn Black.. Yes we can!!!

the greatest rapper in SA history,POC's Shaheen Ariefdien,tho it aint abt race:'Aah,eeexcellent!Finally a black president.'

swears it.... uTa' Obama uyibambile.... (“he’s the leader”)

is saying "Yes we can."

is thankful it happened in her lifetime! Yes we DID!

guesses she should also jump on the Obama band wagon:)

totally knew Obama would win but had not anticipated how touched she would be by it. I'm so happy I wanna cry!

is sleepy, but ecstatic.

Yes we can Obama. Think again McCain... lmao!

awaits the change... Oh wait I'm not in the USA.

Dear America: thank you for saving us all from Sarah Palin. its going to be tough for the moose in Alaska though...

Cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene...did I spell that correctly? Oh...and HOORAH FOR OBAMA!!!

is so lief vir Barack. (is so happy for Barack)

Yes we can!

is woohoo for Barack Obama!!!

..And although it seems heaven sent We ain't ready to see a black President...2Pac-Changes..recorded 1992-1996.

Finally…the very first congratulatory text message I received this morning at 5:32am (local time) from my friend Perushan as the results were pouring in:

“White house about to become a G-Unit :) good things are coming. F**k yeah”

I also have a friend in Kenya who is saying that everyone there is “drowning in beer” and that Thursday is going to be a public holiday. How cool is that??

Condolences to Barack Obama and his family on the death of his grandmother (on Monday). And also I wonder what kind of dog his kids are going to get?

So that’s all I have to say about that. I’m ecstatic…

As always…keep the faith and spread it gently

Love

Lynsee