Looking forward to the future

My thoughts are extremely scattered right now. I'm ecstatic over the election for such a wide variety of reasons. The one that distinguishes itself from the others is one that had honestly never occurred to me until now. I can say in all truthfulness I had never considered the epic proportion of having a black president. It had crossed my mind, but until six in the morning it had never settled in how meaningful it is. Seeing Jesse Jackson cry touched me, someone who fought against service stations that refused to provide Restrooms for African-Americans. Someone who stood alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, possibly the most heroic icon this world has ever seen, and was one floor below him at the motel in memphis when Doctor King was assassinated. To imagine what it must feel like to see Barack Obama be elected President of the United States of America through his eyes has to touch anyone and everyone. There are millions of African-Americans who must have never thought this day would come, and although racism is still prevalent, it gives implications to the type of change Obama preaches. Obama was elected because the content of his character could not be ignored, rather his skin color could be. He won't be sworn in as our President until January 20th, but already the inevitability of that day is inspiring and encouraging.

I haven't learned of any concrete stats, but the record turnout for voters has been widely reported, especially of those 25 and under. Obama won the electoral vote by a staggering amount, but with this system, it doesn't take many votes to swing a landslide victory to a slim victory, or even to a defeat. Ultimately, my generation decided the election. We decided our own future. By captivating the young voters, this nation will no doubt be politically active in the following election as well as elections in decades to come. For years and years before I could vote, I would constantly hear the message of "Rock the Vote" or "Vote or Die", a variety of messages aimed at young voters to get out and make a difference. I feel truly blessed that in my first election, that message came to fruition and played a decisive role in the outcome.

My final thought that I'd like to share: I believe in Obama. Although many political ideals I've obtained from my three mothers, I can call my belief in Obama my own. I've watched him countless times , and I'm confident that he'll deliver on his promises and will change the way this country does politics, and set the standard for the American president.