It was with trepidation that we watched the voting last night. Even though there's a time difference of seven hours between continents.
I drank lots of coffee
(let me say here, I'm not a coffee drinker) and stayed up all night to catch the proceedings. Anytime a news channel went on a commercial break I switched so I wouldn't miss a thing. It was almost like playing Russian Roulette. The contenders were Sky News, Fox News, NBC, EuroNews, CNN and France 24. I noticed that the most cynical commentators were the lovely folks at Fox News. After a while I just stopped listening to the negatives.
When the votes started trickling in I was said to my friend, I hoped it didn't become a repeat of the elections in 2000 where the Supreme Court had to intervene and votes had to be recounted in Florida and in 2004 the turmoil caused due to equipment malfunction in Ohio. This had to be a clean and fair election that didn't leave anything to question.
Well the rest is history as they say. Today there is a new kind of America emerging... There's work to be done, make no mistake about it. But this is the beginning of the change.
We as a people have to rise up to the challenges we face today and work harder than we've ever done to rebuild and repair the damage that has been done. Now more than ever the whole world is watching. Let us not relent in praying for the Obama/Biden Administration in the coming years.
Borrowing quotes from Senator Barack Obama's Victory Speech,
"What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can."I was moved to tears during his Victory speech, it was such an occassion for celebration and also for contemplating the tasks ahead. His speech was thought provoking if anything else. The likes of Revd. Jesse Jackson who has been a champion for Human Rights for decades cried openly, Miss Oprah Winfrey who dines with World leaders shed tears as well as so many others in that park in Chicago last night. I never thought it would be possible for this to happen in my lifetime and I'm only young but it did. This is a hopeful generation.
There's also a saying that when a man is stripped of his skin he's nothing but flesh and blood. And though Senator Obama didn't run his campaign based on race, it still is a victory for every African descendant.
The Black man has faced many limitations from slavery, segregation, disenfranchisement, racism, poverty, prejudice, uneducation, crime, drugs and violence in communities. And for one such as us to come out on top, it is a moment in History.
There is a new role model for children of this generation to aspire to, you don't have to be a gangster rapper with 'grillz' in your teeth, a hip-hop honey shaking her 'booty' in music videos, a drug pusher who rides in flashy cars, a 'big girl' sleeping with father figures or a pimp on the street corner to achieve recognition.
If you knuckle down, be honest, go to school, listen to good advice from the church and parents, surround yourself with positivity, you can make it. Yes, you can!
I hope for the sake of future generations the African leaders take note. There is no room for Corruption, Nepotism, Greed and Human Rights Violations in the new world. We all have to work together to achieve lasting and sustainable Democracy in Africa.
On a lighter note some folks were quick to cash in on this historic occasion. Some man in New York (I'm sure he's an Ibo man.. they're quick on the uptake) had a lifesize cut-out of Obama and jubilant Americans had to pay $5.00 to have their pictures taken.. Brisk Business!
Senator Obama's election as the President of the most powerful nation in the world is a testament to what can be achieved if you work hard and dream big dreams. We are part of History.
