I’m sure we’re all happy the 2008 election has finally come to an end. I’d like to give an African American’s view on Obama’s win and the history that was made that night. I remember, when I first heard that Obama was running for President, I was a little skeptical and felt that he was not ready yet to take on such an important position. But, as time passed, I began to come around to the idea of his actually being President, with no doubt in my mind that he was intelligent enough to hold the position, and anything would be better than the Bush administration.
It’s not that I was completely against Obama; it was just that it was still early in the election process, and in the back of my mind I didn’t think that America was ready to accept a change like this.
I didn’t want to hope that it was possible for a black male to be President of the United States, in my lifetime. Though I’m young, sad as it is to say, I never even thought or considered an African American becoming President. This was just one of those things that wouldn’t be allowed by any means.
Midway through the election process, it really began to sink in that this was very possible. As Election Day approached, something in my heart told me that history was going to be made, but yet again I didn’t want to install too much hope that this was possible.
I’m sure that many other people thought in the back of their minds that the Republicans would pull something once again to get one of them in office. On Election Day later that night as the results began to roll in, I refused to watch TV. I didn’t want to be disappointed. When I received word that Obama won, that was one of the proudest moments in my life.
Though at the time only my one-year old daughter and I were at home, I sat with her and celebrated. I told her that night that she could be President and actually meant every word I spoke. I feel that an African American holding this position was a long time coming. This was something that was overdue.
Leading up to this election and afterward, I watched many racist things being said about black people on the Internet, which allowed me to see that racism is still very much alive, and this election brought out that side in many people.
So for anyone who says it’s not, just surf the Internet, and it’s out there open for anyone to see. I think Obama’s win was God’s way of letting everyone know hatred is not smiled upon. I feel that now maybe we can all come together as a people and stop letting the color of our skin define us. I feel that this change will have our nation headed in the right direction.
In closing I have one last thing to say to all the people who made their remarks and didn’t vote for Obama: whether you like it or not, he’s still your President!