| It ranks right up there with the assassination of JFK and MLK, only differing in that it was a positive accomplishment instead of a terrible tragedy. Barack Obama, or should I say, President-elect Barack Obama’s rise to become the first African American President of the United States of America is one of those most notable moments that I will never forget. Everybody will remember where they were, who they called and with whom they talked to celebrate and savor the moment. While a handful of the most ardent supporters of Senator John McCain were harboring resentments, most of us were very proud of Barack’s monumental achievement. I watched in total amazement as the Obama political machine ticked off one state after another into the evening hours of the most historic Election Day in our nation’s history. When New Mexico went blue, it was clearly evident that Barack had won the election. As the evening wore on, the win turned into a landslide. The record number of voters that turned out for Obama gave him a resounding victory with a strong mandate for change in domestic and international politics. These voters also made the President-elect’s task of governing a bit easier by strengthening the Democratic control over both houses of Congress. What a sight it was to behold when Barack walked onto the stage at Grant Park to give his victory speech with Michelle and his two daughters. I have watched this over and over again on C-Span and it sent chills down my spine. The faces in the crowd that was estimated to be 100,000 strong said it all. Jesse Jackson and Oprah Winfrey watched in amazement with tears welling up in their eyes. Old people, young people, White people, Black people, Latinos —the faces of the most unique and broad-based political coalition ever put together — witnessed the spectacle with big smiles and teary eyes. Barack turned it out, as they say, with his victory/coronation speech. He was magnanimous in his support and praise to Senator John McCain and Governor Sara Palin. He also took the high road in reaching out to those who did not vote for him. It was hard going to bed that night. I somehow did not want the evening and the good feelings to end. Like many others around the nation, I got up early and went to six different stores to buy every newspaper that I could find to document this historic occasion. I turned on the boob tube and watched “Morning Joe” and all of the other talking heads to get their take on the election. I especially enjoyed watching FOX News throughout the day observing Sean Hannity and Bill O’Reilly eat an awful lot of crow. Also made sure not to miss Rush Limbaugh either — he came awfully close to blowing a circuit out of his angst for Obama’s victory. Despite the naysayers, Barack’s ascendancy to the presidency has been welcomed and received with just as much happiness, joy and optimism internationally as it has been domestically. Congratulations and well wishes have come in from every corner of the globe from leaders of nations, kings and queens. The President-elect’s photo graced the front pages of newspapers around the world. People of all racial, ethnic and religious persuasions were dancing in the streets from the little village in Kenya where Barack’s dad came from, all over Africa, to London, France, the Middle East, Caribbean and Latin America. Barack’s ascendancy to the presidency has immediately generated good feelings of hope and optimism and represents one big step towards restoring America’s credibility and reputation around the world. Given the enormity of the domestic and international challenges, the honeymoon for President Barack Hussein Obama will be short-lived. For the time being, however, it is time to celebrate an achievement that I never believed could happen in my lifetime, or my children’ s lifetime. |
Never thought this could happen in my lifetime
