Home  Editorials It’s been a long time, but change has come
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It’s been a long time, but change has come |
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Tuesday, 11 November 2008 |
Over 40 years ago the Reverend Martin Luther King told America he had a dream that Blacks would rise up and one day make it to the mountain top. On Tuesday night that dream was realized when Barack Obama shattered the color barrier, set so high in this country, just as high as it was set in South Africa, and like Nelson Mandela did in South Africa years before, made it to the mountain top, to lead an entire nation. Change has truly come to the United States of America.
Americans of all ethnicities, colors, ages and classes openly shed tears upon the announcement that Obama was elected as president of the United States. Some shed tears because they witnessed something they never thought possible, a fellow Black man, defeating all the odds to be elected president. Because of this significant change, an entire race felt vindicated. Others cried because a man was elected who promised real hope for them to meet unfamiliar challenges, inspiring them to obliterate an often outdated racial divide, and others cried because they simply were caught up in the change sweeping across this nation.
That change was very evident on Tuesday night, but not only in Obama’s historical victory. His opponent, John McCain, in defeat, gave one of the most gracious concession speeches, offering his service as a symbol of the spirit of bi-partisanship that is going to be needed to help the country to make positive strides as it goes forward. And, in Grant Park, Chicago, where Obama gave his victory speech, there was the strong evidence of changes as people of all colors and races joined each other sharing in the joy as they acknowledge their new leader.
The change was evident as a quick analysis was made of the votes cast on Tuesday. Although, expectedly, 95 percent of Blacks voted for Obama, so did 45 percent of whites, including the majority residing in the suburbs, over 50 percent of women and Latinos, and over 60 percent of the youth. Obama inspired an eclectic group of people – millions of them – to unite in a powerful democratic process and vote against old entrenched trends, rise above bigotry, lies, innuendos, and the vileness of a negative campaigning to elect the leader they best believe could offer them change.
The youth, a vital component of this new history, with their strong participation in this election, have signaled a mighty generational change. Never can it be said that the youth has no interest in American politics. They registered to vote, and did vote in droves, and they can be expected to step out and make significant contributions to further change in America and their own lives.
Obama’s victory should also inspire real changes in the lives of ordinary Americans. The commitment and dedication displayed by the millions who waited in lines for hours through sun and rain to vote, must not rest because the leader they wanted has been elected. It must be always remembered that Obama said in his victory speech, “I will need your help.”
This cannot be taken as an idle appeal. America is a very different place than it was eight years ago. It faces challenges, brought about by two wars and a crumbling economy. But, these challenges are not Obama’s alone to overcome; they rest on all our shoulders, and we all must play some part, no matter how small, in rising above them.
History has shown how soon a popular leader can become unpopular, especially when people harbor unrealistic expectations and become raging critics instead of being willing and able to provide unselfish public service. Although the change we sought in leadership is here, the solutions to the many problems that now beset this country are going to take some time to correct. Obama’s victory, as he said in his speech, is a signal for all Americans to be committed to make the necessary sacrifices, display strong tolerance, and join him in the movement to turn our own lives, and this entire country, around positively.
Obama also said on Tuesday that these challenges may not be overcome even in his first term as president, but if we utilize the unity that we saw across America on Tuesday to meet the challenges, they could be overcome sooner than he or we expect.
That defining moment has arrived and with it great change, and now a very hopeful future lies ahead of us. Today, there is much reason for joy, but let us resolve not to make this joy short lived. The change brought about by the election of Barack Obama, who promises to be an inspirational leader, should motivate us to rise up and rebuild America out of the malaise of the past eight years. “Yes, we can,” and yes we must, so that the change we so long waited for is not in vain.
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