A New Day

Last night I wept. Not because I was ashamed of my country. Not because I thought a mistake was made. And not because I am relieved it is over (although I definitely am). I wept because as a man stepped up to the podium to make a historical acceptance speech, I looked down at my sweet baby and thought about all the times people told me, “I just feel sorry for the children” (of biracial relationships). All my life, I was hit with this ignorant statement by family members who never bothered to step outside of their own comfort zones. I heard it at church as a child, and I heard it from plenty of garbage on television. I never believed it, but you still never feel quite comfortable having biracial children when you know, deep down, that your family thinks something is wrong with it. Last night confirmed my story. Nothing IS wrong with my children, and you have NO reason to feel sorry for them! Last night, Barack Obama defied the odds when he took our great nation one major step forward. Now I realize, he most certainly should not have been elected (or not elected) based on his race, and I firmly believe that it had little do with it, but I would be blind not to want to jump for joy after seeing one more example of my children’s future being as bright as they could ever dream! I feel reassured in my country after Barack Obama’s election. I know he does not meet all the right-wing, conservative standards, but he is an honorable man. He is sincere, and shows a great amount of grace and humility.

When this election process began, I was unbiased, and I watched all the debates, both conventions, and multiple news channels (in order to avoid biased news casting). I wanted what was best for our country, and I wanted to be sure to get the facts. I did my best not to let others sway me, and to look up things that I questioned. Slowly but surely, I began to lean towards Obama. Then he made, what I thought to be a great decision for his VP, in Joe Biden. FINALLY, we have leaders who know what is like to be broke, to have one parent, to be one parent, to lose a loved one to a failed insurance system, to struggle, and to fight for what they want out of life. They weren’t fed with a silver spoon, or given plenty of chances to mess up time after time and get a free ride. They know what it is like for those who are in need. They are not elite, although they have done great things in their lives. Don’t get me wrong, John McCain is, indeed, a great American hero. But can someone PLEASE explain how that qualifies him to be president? When John McCain was asked what he would want his tombstone to say, he said “He served his country well.” When Obama was asked the same question, he said, “He was honest, he was a great father, and he was a great husband.” Aren’t these the qualities that we should be looking for? Someone who strives to be honest, to be a great family man? Not someone who only cares about his status as a leader or a hero. The presidency was just another notch in McCain’s belt. One, it seemed, that he felt he deserved. I sincerely believe that Barack Obama loves this country just as much as John McCain, and has this country’s best interests at heart, and that he cares about the little people. You know, the ones who have not had a voice for the last eight years.

Four years ago, when George W. Bush was re-elected by a small margin; he never acknowledged that half of his country didn’t stand behind him. He never reached out to those who didn’t support him. And last night, in Barack Obama’s first speech as the President Elect, he said, “As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.” He is a man of great integrity, humility, and undoubted graciousness. After all that he endured, all the hate, all the lies, and all the slander, he still wants to work for each and every American.

I am honored to be able to experience this, and I hope that the entire country can learn to be as gracious and forgiving as Barack Obama. It is obvious that his character far exceeds that of our elected officials of yesterday. It is my hope that my children will aspire to have character like Barack Obama, and that they will never know the hatred and ignorance that has been endured through our lifetime, and the many lifetimes before ours. We are coming together, whether you realize it or not, we are getting on the right track. Integrity will always prevail, it just may take work to push it through all the wicked.
I pray that you are blessed today, and always.

Peacefully,
Delilah

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. – Galatians 5:13


Future President 2044