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November 5, 2008

If There Is Anyone Out There...


... who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

Where were you last night? What'd you think of the speech?




Posted by lisa at 9:12 AM | Comments (60)
Categories: Politics

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Speech was great, but the film of the African American people crying was what really got me. Powerful stuff.

Posted by: This Aint No Disco at November 5, 2008 9:30 AM

Today, as a black woman and as an American voter, I am more proud to be an American than I ever have been. Obama's speech last night made me feel that I, too, carry a piece of history with me and his victory is partly mine. Even if Obama turns out to be a not-so-great president, I will always hold the pride in my heart that America saw fit to give him a chance. A chance to strive for greatness is what we need now more than ever. And, to the simple mind(s) who saw fit to scrawl a racial epithet in response to this historical election on my building late last night, I say to you, November is the new Black History Month and my head will not bow to your ignorance and hatred. Instead, I will scrub and scrub to erase your words from my building and pray that God will help you erase such thoughts and words from your heart.

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at November 5, 2008 9:30 AM

Will see what the future brings. Let's face it we're in deep s.. and it will take time to get back on the feet.

I hope he can pull what he's promising, althoug, did he really promis anything during the speech????? nhaa

Posted by: karo25 at November 5, 2008 9:33 AM

InsertSnappyNameHere, beautiful post. The only thing I'll correct is that, at least for the next four years, every month will be Black History Month. I got chills when Obama's victory was formally declared at 11pm and I heard people on the street cheering and honking horns and shouting out his name. A new day has come. I don't expect all are problems to be solved overnight, but I haven't felt optimism like this for this country in a long time.

Posted by: Biff Champion at November 5, 2008 9:36 AM

Make that "all OUR problems". Apparently spelling is just one of mine!

Posted by: Biff Champion at November 5, 2008 9:37 AM

The speech was moving and real but not too celebratory, as if Obama was finally feeling the weight of what he's achieved.

As a long-ago immigrant who can be very critical of the US not just because it's in my nature, this is a time that shows me how we can transcend obstacles, and for me to realize that this event could hardly have happened in most of the Western democracies that I admire.

As with many liberals, I never let the words "Obama can win" pass my lips these many months, this magical thinking being derided by my wife, who was convinced he would be president way back at the Democratic convention. She had the easier time of it in the last months; I'd obsess over 538.com or HuffPo.

And as a non-white (though one who's never faced discrimination myself) I'm so astounded and happy that I could see this day; it's in my lifetime that the last black lynching happened; it's my privilege that also in my lifetime the first black president has been elected.

Though I am not at all a religious person, I can say unreservedly that I will pray for Obama's success.

Posted by: cmu at November 5, 2008 9:46 AM

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America

Posted by: Chaka at November 5, 2008 9:49 AM

Insertsnappynamehere: Obama will, no doubt, be remembered as a great president. How, 66 days before his Inauguration, can I, a white male, say that? Just think of the disasters of the past eight years and imagine how Obama would have handled each. Start with Katrina. Would Obama shut himself in the White House and leave the job to clueless FEMA individuals?
I doubt it. How about Iraq? Would Obama launch an invasion of a sovereign nation, albeit one headed by a homicidal maniac, without accurate intelligence? I doubt it. We could go on and on. Suffice it to say, Mr. Obama is intelligent, humble and sensitive to his fellow human beings. He is the right man for the job at the right time. He will appoint intelligent, competent leaders to cabinet and other leadership positions (unlike the current occupant of the White House). His Vice President will take a leadership role on the world's stage. Our image on this planet has already improved 1000%. That will translate to better trade relations and an improved economy. And, finally, we can expect Obama to have at least two Supreme Court nominations during his term. That court, which should be the last bastion of objectivity in this country, has been transformed, since Bush v. Gore, into a partisan entity. Obama will, no doubt, restore sanity to the Court.

Finally, let me say that one of the high points, among many highs, for me last evening, was Mr. McCain's classy concession speech. The speechwriter who penned those words should win a Nobel Peace Prize.

Posted by: anonymous552 at November 5, 2008 9:52 AM

cmu - I hear you. I can't find the words to fully express the sense of hope, joy, renewal I feel. I too realize that there are hard times ahead, we are so much better off with Obama at the helm than the alternative. If he can run the country the way he ran his campaign, we're in great shape - I have never seen such discipline, organization, inspiration. The sheer good will generated worldwide by this moment is awe-inspiring. Most of all, I think of our children, and how monumental this moment is for them - I am brought to tears by the possibilities that have been opened up. I now hope that the tremendous energy Obama mobilized during his campaign can be tapped into during his administration - that is, that the millions of people who made calls, donations, knocked on doors etc (I was one of many) will continue to do so to help Obama and our whole country to tackle together the tremendous challenges before us.

Posted by: Miss Muffett at November 5, 2008 9:55 AM

Relax people, yes he is an African-American but this is not the entire point of his election!!!
The point here is that we needed a change for the middle class not black or white folks, so stop stressing nativity as the only perk of him being c-in-ch

Posted by: karo25 at November 5, 2008 9:56 AM

I am proud to be American today - we did right, people - we did right!!! - what a night
It was soo monumental - I lost it seeing Jesse Jackson crying and just seeing all the people on TV so excited by this hope we all feel.
It really felt like NYE. 7th avenue was alive with cheers and honking and fireworks
really proud to have been apart of this!

Posted by: gemini10 at November 5, 2008 10:02 AM

I heard the cheers and yells through my bedroom window late last night (at least, late for me). For a short while, it was as if all of Brooklyn was united. Really nice feeling.

Posted by: tiptoe at November 5, 2008 10:03 AM

Agreed about McCain, anonymous552. I'm glad he brought up race from the beginning. There are certainly those out there who are seething with racial hatred, and I hope his words will help address and defuse their enmity.

The Obama speech was so moving. It'll be nice to have a president who can speak eloquently once again. The part at the end about the 106-year-old voter was almost cinematic.

Posted by: mothra at November 5, 2008 10:04 AM

Bottom line is that if McCain and Obama can work togather this country will finally pick up. He had a great speech last night, well spoken for a change and touching!

It makes me mad when people at my job saying things like this country will become a comunist one, how they say Obama's wife hates Americans. Those sort of people we need to get rid of from here!
Be happy and give the guy 4 years to prove himself.

Posted by: karo25 at November 5, 2008 10:10 AM

Excellent speech, the part where he says our stories are singular but our destinys are shared moved me. But after the speech you look at the world he inherits and see that our position as the greatest nation alive is in jeopardy. I hope his ability to lead is as great as his speech. For than we have a chance to get back to good old prosperity when all have a chance to succeed. When that Brooklyn Heights townhouse is priced at that 800k I await for. BTW i have written before that if the dow hits 9600 short it and I have started shorting this market. I believe we have to test the lows again. Good luck to all.

Posted by: HOBOKENROCKS at November 5, 2008 10:13 AM

Was it me or did Obama start to fight tears himself? I couldn't image not tearing up that his Grandmother couldn't see him make history.

My mother said something very important to me last night. She said "He may not change everything and he may even not help everyone, but he has unified a nation and when you can do that you've already succeeded."

I see great things happening in the next 4 years.

Posted by: DizzyNYC at November 5, 2008 10:16 AM

Karo25, you are correct that Obama's skin color is not the only perk to his being elected. But, you must understand the importance this election carries for black people throughout this country. As you well know, black Americans have grown up looking at white faces on the money and in that all important residence at 1600 PA Ave. Many generations of white people, knowingly or unknowingly, have taken for granted that they could achieve such status because it had always been done. For us, it was a distant dream that we dared not hope too much for. Yes, an Obama victory is a victory for all of the middle class, for all who struggle in one way or another, but for people of color, it means so much more. And that cannot be denied.

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at November 5, 2008 10:17 AM

I'm with Disco and Snappy. Yes, I put that in a sentence. :) I was crying with everyone else. You can't imagine the pride of the moment.

Most black people don't spend every moment of every day, thinking about the legacy of slavery in this country. We're too busy, and most of us are in the business of moving forward towards our goals, not dwelling in the past. But every day, we live with that legacy, from trying to catch a cab, to seeing some of our neighbors just barely existing, with no education, no chance of lifting themselves up, and no hope. We see the crowds at Republican gatherings with not a single black face in sight (or any other minorities, either), and we see time and again, the powers that be try to foist one unfairness or another on our communities or persons, unfairnesses that would not even be brought up in other communites.

We see ourselves reflected in our popular culture and sports, but rarely in our boardrooms or laboratories. We are in all parts of American society, but are used to spotting ourselves as the one black person in the commercial, the one black orchestra member, the one black ballerina at ABT, or the one black astronaut. On the shortest month of the year, we bring out the lists of the “firsts”, and Barack Obama will be at the head of next year’s Black History month’s list. Deservedly and proudly so. What he has achieved, with the help of millions of Americans of all races, creeds and colors, ages and orientations, has truly made history, and I am proud. Perhaps now, we will be able to throw the list away, and begin to just be Americans doing the best in what we do.

I am proud for my mother, and her forebearers, sharecroppers from Beaufort, SC. I wept with Jesse Jackson, with whom I have issues, but in his face I saw his memories of Dr. King, Coretta Scott King, and all of the Civil Rights patriots who died to make this day possible. I teared up as Andrew Young’s voice broke in an interview, and as President- Elect Obama mentioned 103 year old Daisy Newsome. I went outside and sat on my steps and cried as people all up and down my block shouted, cheered and honked their horns.

The election of Barack Obama means that African-Americans are no longer unwanted guests in our own country. It’s a symbolic victory, and also a victory for all of the people who want to take this country in a 21st century direction, towards a better place for all of us. Obama not only won the leadership of the most powerful country in the world, he won it at a time when we are looking at more problems, crises, and challenges than perhaps at any time in generations. Thank the Lord he is highly intelligent, a calm thinker as well as doer, and surrounded by some of the best in their fields. He will be what Nelson Mandela turned out to be, a great man, a healer, and an inspiration to all to strive to be the best, and to do the best, not only for ourselves, but for our families, neighbors, communities, our nation and the family of man. That’s a lot to pile on one skinny guy, but as we’ve seen, anything is possible.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at November 5, 2008 10:22 AM

No karo25, Obama being African American is not the only point and it is clear that it took more than African Americans to get him elected. The fact that Americans of all races, ages, colors, genders, religions and creeds decided to take a chance on a man with calm and intelligence who was not well known on the national political scene but who ran an excellent campaign, who also happens to be African American, is our President-elect is phenomenal. To pretend that it is not ignores our countries past and dishonors all of those who have fought so hard to hold us to the values upon which our great nation was founded.

Posted by: Chaka at November 5, 2008 10:26 AM

I was sitting slumped and exhausted on the floor of my living room with my husband and brother, on the phone with my mom and dad, who live in Indiana and have worked tirelessly over the last several months to try to turn that redder than red bastion of conservatism to blue, with tears coursing down my face.

One of my favorite parts of the speech was his tribute to his family - his grandmother, the new puppy his daughters have earned, and Michelle being the rock of their family and the love of his life. The speech was beautiful and captured everything we needed at that moment.

My best friend then called from the streets of Ft Greene where she was walking with her boyfriend, and we could hear the screams of joy and the honking and the "YES WE DID"'s through the phone. Then we saw the footage of people in Kenya reacting to the news and even my husband began weeping.

We have plenty of time in the years ahead to get down to business and level-headedness, but Karo25, why must we "relax" right now? At this extraordinary and emotional and earth shaking moment in history? Perhaps the most politically and collectively joyous moment in our lifetimes?
I personally will be too happy and relieved and energized to relax anytime soon.

Posted by: Nokilissa at November 5, 2008 10:30 AM

I was on my way back from Philadelphia where a group of friends and I spent the day yesterday volunteering for the Obama campaign to help get out the vote. I'm surprised that people were surprised at all by his win. Exit polls have been showing a strong lead for a while.

It was a nice speech and not overly congratulatory.

Posted by: Shahn Andersen at November 5, 2008 10:30 AM

MM very interesting that not seeing each others 10:22 & 10:26 posts we used the same adjectives to describe Obama. Calm and Intelligent. Could it be our ancestors channeling their thoughts through us - in Gullah no less? Mine were from Beaufort as well.

Posted by: Chaka at November 5, 2008 10:35 AM

Shahn, we were surprised because of the last 2 elections. If I may speak for the neurotic folks around the country, this seemed too good to be true. Not just a Democrat in the White House again, but a GREAT politician and a GREAT man. Not just that, but the first African American! I'm still pinching myself.

And what does this mean to me? I get to stay in the country and I'm thrilled!

Posted by: rh at November 5, 2008 10:40 AM

Wait, so, i thought during the campaigning we weren't allowed to use something as simple as race as our deciding factor, and if we did then we were ostracized. Now Mr. Obama has been elected, and everyone is joyous that an African American finally got voted in, regardless of his experience??? So it really does come down to a Black / White thang!

Posted by: bowl of dicks at November 5, 2008 10:42 AM

Could be, Chaka, could be.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at November 5, 2008 10:46 AM

No bowl of dicks, we're just relieved to have a politician elected to the White House speaking sense and demonstrating a clear grasp of the issues, concern for the middle class, and a forward-thinking approach to our challenges. And it is such a huge relief after the disastrous reign of Bush. The fact that he happens to be African-American is just one more reason to be proud of this moment, but one of many, many reasons. It's such a triumph that the American people resoundingly rejected the ugly campaign tactics of fear and division by McCain/Palin, and I am truly relieved that in McCain's concession speech, he at least briefly seemed to resemble the McCain of old (who was an honorable public servant), and not the fear-mongering campaigner he turned out to be with the attack dog Palin by his side. What a relief that we no longer have to worry about her, and their dismaying campaign, and that we can now look forward to real change!

Posted by: Miss Muffett at November 5, 2008 10:49 AM

Bowl of dicks, no, it doesn't come down to a black/white "thang". Do you have any reading comprehension, or better yet, any sense of history?

No one said Obama won because he was black, nor did anyone say he trounced the white guy. Get a grip, and get beyond the Ebonics slang. This man, this moment, is so beyond that.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at November 5, 2008 10:51 AM

Miss Muffett, you said it better than I. Thanks.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at November 5, 2008 10:52 AM

Thank you MM and MM. I'll never be able to put down all that I'm feeling this morning, so thank you deeply for being able to put clear, cogent, coherent thoughts down. I'm still crying for the sheer joy of it all! I may just cry all day!

Posted by: cobblehiller at November 5, 2008 11:01 AM

Cobblehiller - I'm crying right with you. I am moved beyond words by what this means for all the children out there, and how the whole world instantly thinks differently about the US now. I have not felt very patriotic in recent years (and in general, am not the type to be overtly patriotic) but today, I really, truly, and deeply proud of this country, and really happy to be living in America at this moment. Volunteering for Obama, I was amazed and inspired by all the ordinary Americans who really did put their differences aside and came together to put their faith in this extraordinary new leader.

Posted by: Miss Muffett at November 5, 2008 11:11 AM

I walked out on my block- you could hear the cheering and screaming. I went up to the corner and it was amazing. I asked the guys on the corner did you vote? Yes and yes and yes! they gave me the terrorist fist bump (I felt honored!) I wonder how many can appreciate how impacted poor communities like Crown Heights are- for no other reason than suddenly they saw last night that they do have the power to move this country. It's not just the rich white folks (who have done it badly for too long, IMHO). To not feel powerless- now that's true hope.

I've told my African-Americans friends the day Black people find their voice, is the day this country will move forward. for no other reason than (I hope I'm right) that millions of Americans will see the the constitution and bill of rights still remain our last, best hope, and last night validates it for all of us. Again.

I am so hopeful today, and happy and my nose is still red from the happy weeping last night. we have a real chance to make things better- if we don't, it won't be Obama's f**k-up- it'll be ours.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 5, 2008 11:12 AM

It was amazing how electric the city was last night. Started hanging out in the LES which was kind of mellow, but eventually got caught up in the Bedford Ave festivities on my way back home. After a few beers and hugs from strangers on N8th street, I returned home to watch the speech with my British roommate.
Can't say I have ever been emotionally moved by anything a politician has said before, but I was definitely a little misty while watching Obama's speech. It still seems so surreal, like something out of a movie.

I wish Obama the best of luck, as change is easier said than done in our country nowadays.

Posted by: A Guest at November 5, 2008 11:13 AM

McCain even acknowledged the significance of Obama's win to Afican Americans in his gracious concession speech. This is the McCain that I had come to respect BP (before Palin.) This is definitely not a Black/White thing but an American thing.

Posted by: Chaka at November 5, 2008 11:13 AM

Same here Chaka, somehow McCain got hoodwinked and lost his way. He gained back a good bit of the respect he'd lost from me with that speech.

Posted by: cobblehiller at November 5, 2008 11:16 AM

On top of everything else everyone has said, our new President makes us feel like we want to be better neighbors, citizens, friends. He truly appeals to our beter nature more than any other political figure since JFK.

Posted by: BH76 at November 5, 2008 11:22 AM

Brownstoner:

What a night!

I don't vote in NY but in another state, so flew there a week ago to vote early -- and there was a long line! (No absentee ballot for me; I wanted to see my ballot go in the box!)

My friends and colleagues abroad have also been waiting for this result. For years they've wanted senses of clarity and partnership from the United States, so my trip state-side was in part for them.

No doubt Obama's a big change, but how big?

Sure he's smart, level-headed, eloquent, and one of the best politicians ever.

But truly progressive? FISA. Afghanistan. Gay marriage. Bundle a bunch of his votes and pronouncements and he comes off right of center.

Yes, my deceased, left-wing, civil-rights era parents would be delighted to see an African-American elected president. And Montrose Morris, I'm happy to hear that people on my old block on Pacific Street in Crown Heights celebrated last night. But now's not the time to relax. Just as they did in FDR's and Kennedy's days, progressives will have to exert pressure on the White House.

Then maybe we'll see real change.

Nostalgic on Park Avenue

Posted by: NOP at November 5, 2008 11:22 AM

I agree. Last night's John McCain was the man I used to respect, before this campaign season. He certainly got lost. A classic Faustian tale of signing on with the Devil for all of the best reasons, and losing your soul in the process, and then losing everything.

I think politics as we have known it here in the US will have to change because of this race. The right wing fundamentalist "Christian" nutballs have taken over the Republican party, and they are not going to give it back. I say "Christian" because they are not in any sense of the word the adherents of the same beliefs I have. There is no difference between them and the Taliban. They were losely alligned with fiscal conservatives, but their agenda is a theocracy, and they will say and do anything to get one.

I think we may have 3 parties soon, which may not be a bad thing. Whatever shakes out, we are going to have to learn to work together for common goals. I think Obama's ability to work with anyone willing to come together to get the job done, will be one of his most invaluable skills.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at November 5, 2008 11:31 AM

mccain was a class act. i thought i saw in him a glimmer of disgust for all the jackasses in the crowd who were booing and shouting stupid crap. sadly, he has no one to blame for that but himself and his running mate (who looked pissed that mccain was being so complimentary of obama).

Posted by: z at November 5, 2008 11:40 AM

"There is no difference between [American right-wing fundamentalists] and the Taliban."

you know, ridiculous analogies like this don't exactly advance the aim of "working together for common goals." i'm no fan of the fundies myself, but they aren't anywhere near the taliban on the evil scale.

Posted by: z at November 5, 2008 11:44 AM

Mss. Muffet I agree!

Posted by: karo25 at November 5, 2008 11:45 AM

Montrose, beautifully put as always.
I couldn't agree more.

And I think I'll pilfer your "'Christian' nutballs"!

Posted by: Nokilissa at November 5, 2008 11:46 AM

Jubiliance everywhere.

I thouhgt Obama's speech was powerful. Everybody in the room swa teary eyed.

Montrose, you did it again, you brought tears to my eyes, and with the help of Snappy, Bxgril, Mx. Muffet, etc.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at November 5, 2008 11:48 AM

Can I just say how happy I am that Sarah Palin was sent packing back to Alaska! Tee hee Ta Ha Tee Hee Ta Ha! [dancing a little jig...]

Yeah, I thought I saw that too z, that was one of the moments that I respected in McCain.

Posted by: cobblehiller at November 5, 2008 11:50 AM

oohhh, darn my spelling. It will be the bane of me.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at November 5, 2008 11:51 AM

Congratulations to Senator Obama. The enthusiasm and optimism I see today have been missing from the world for many years. There have been many touching posts on this site in the past two days (particularly Montrose Morris's post yesterday).

Now to complain about something that has been bothering me for months. Obama is just as white as he is black (or "African American", a presumptuous and often inaccurate bunch of doublespeak). If he were just elected president of Kenya, would he be referred to as their newly elected white president? Some members of my own extended family are 50/50, and I would never refer to them as black (their own parents prefer "Vermont maple syrup", but that's just an inside family joke).

Posted by: lechacal at November 5, 2008 11:57 AM

I should follow up my post by recognizing that there are various good arguments for referring to Barack Obama as black rather than coming up with a more complicated term for his mixed ethnicity. My post was meant to be a legitimate question (and one that I recognize has some perfectly good answers) rather than an indictment of anyone who refers to Barack Obama as black.

..and I really don't mean to suck the oxygen out of the room with this. Carry on with the enthusiasm.

Posted by: lechacal at November 5, 2008 12:16 PM

Lechacal:

If you, without knowing the subtleties of his background, saw Mr. O coming down a Park Slope stoop taking out the trash, in the jeans and sneaks he's seen wearing weekends in Chicago, how'd he compute?

My guess: upper-middle-class black guy.

In Greenpoint in black tee and jeans: aging black hipster.

In Crown Heights in a suit on Sunday: black church goer, maybe a deacon.

Most African Americans have whites in the family tree; and lots of whites have blacks in the family tree.

Mr. O appears and self-identifies as black, even as he loves his departed white mother and grand mere.

NOP

Posted by: NOP at November 5, 2008 12:31 PM

Sadly, lechacal, it's all in appearances, especially in this country, another unfortunate legacy of slavery. If you look black, that's what you are, no matter the percentages. If you don't, like Derek Jeter, or Mariah Carey, you can perhaps skirt the issue, especially if you are successful. I'm a 50/50 myself, and look mixed race, and I've got the scars to prove I've always been identified as black, and I'm proud of the identification. My nephew, who is a quarter black, will probably never have to go through some of the discrimination my brother did, and may never have to call himself African-American, unless he chooses to, which I hope he does. His recognition of that part of his heritage should be as integral to his being as the other side of his family, with their strong cultural ties to a former Baltic state. He is already bi-lingual, at 2. I hope the strong stock he descends from will help him become a man to be proud of, forebearers who survived the Middle Passage, and slavery, fought the Nazis and Communists in Europe, and fighters of intolerance and ignorance wherever it appeared. He is our future, a future that is looking a bit brighter at the moment.

Z, I stand by my fundy remark. These people scare me. They are as intolerant as the Taliban, but hide behind the American flag. I find their hatred of the "other" just as palpable, and given the chance, they would resort to the same violence to further their agenda. They are certainly not followers of the teachings of Jesus, but of their own finely crafted, narrow interpretation of the Bible, just as Muslim fundies are of the Koran. They celebrate ignorance and anti-intellectualism, they have no tolerance for imagination or independent thought. They are afraid of change, or of anyone who dares challenge their narrow interpretations of what should be. Please tell me how they are different, or how a country run by them would be a place that the majority of us would want to live in.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at November 5, 2008 12:31 PM

Montrose, thanks for the thoughtful and insightful response. I'm certain (based on his history of posting here) that lechacal was posing the question in a sincere and genuinely inquisitive manner and I must admit to also having wondered the same thing. But I think your explanation helps those of us who are considered and appear to be white at least begin to understand (although it's impossible for us to ever fully appreciate) the "non-white" experience and everything that multi-racial individuals must endure throughout their lives. Hopefully the children of today, no matter the color of their skin, will not have to live through racial intolerance. I think the election yesterday is a giant step towards understanding, appreciation and tolerance.

Posted by: Biff Champion at November 5, 2008 12:50 PM

How i feel?

Patriotic, for the second time ever. 1st was immediately after Sept 11 when country came together.

Nervous, about what the fundamentalists/religious right may do now. They have been on the ascendency and gaining power, influence and voice since the 80s. Now it is all falling apart and I just don't see this set of people accepting that easily. I'm praying that they are close to as gracious as McCain was in his speech last night.

Posted by: pmmtenement at November 5, 2008 12:55 PM

well said, Montrose.

Sometimes, I wish a thread would end with a positive post as the very last thing people read. Your 12:31 would be it. And also your post from yesterday.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at November 5, 2008 1:11 PM

Well said, Montrose, or to put it another way, someone who looks black to the average midwesterner is black for purposes of most debates on racial identity. I have a couple of friends who I recently learned are "black" (I have known them for years and had no idea). They have been treated as white for all purposes except their successful applications to Harvard and Yale, respectively. Lots of ink has been spilled about the fact that a little bit of black usually makes someone black, but it takes an awful lot of white to make someone white.

In any event, if I saw Obama walking down the street in the Slope I guess I would probably think "black yuppie." Knowing that his mother is white I honestly don't think of him as black. It's too bad we don't have a good word for mixed race. I'm sure one will be invented soon enough, given that its relevance will only increase over time.

Posted by: lechacal at November 5, 2008 1:36 PM

"It's too bad we don't have a good word for mixed race."

lechacal, perhaps multi-racial? I've also often hear Eurasian for individuals with European and Asian roots. That sounds nice to me.

"Sometimes, I wish a thread would end with a positive post as the very last thing people read. Your 12:31 would be it. And also your post from yesterday."

What are you saying, BRG? That I killed the mood yet again? :-)

Posted by: Biff Champion at November 5, 2008 1:43 PM

Although there were some amazing lines (like the one directed towards those that didnt vote for him) - I actually thought his speech was one of his weaker ones (still far better then just about anyone else though) - too much 'thanking' and the whole 'yes we can' tag line section seemed disjointed. However given that he just finished the longest marathon in the history of man - it is understandable.

Overall I am happiest for the country - the 1st black president is of course wonderful - but ultimately the part that is the best - is that our democracy works (thank god) - no matter what you political persuasion, you have to recognize that after 8 yrs with a horrendous president (on virtually all measures) it is only appropriate (and in many ways necessary) that the country change directions. The fact that we as a nation did this - bodes well for the vibrancy of our democracy.

Posted by: fsrg at November 5, 2008 1:57 PM

I wonder if there are still some "undecideds" out there.

Posted by: Biff Champion at November 5, 2008 2:00 PM

I want to join you all in registering my complete joy and relief in Obama's election. I'm just back from being in north Philly working for the campaign for the last couple of days. It was a wonderful experience to walk the streets of these extremely poor African American neighborhoods and feel the exhilaration vibrating all around me. I was in and out of tears monday and tuesday after speaking with many people of all ages. EVERYONE wanted to vote, from little kids to a mentally challenged man who got lost trying to find his polling location and came to us for help. He could not read the location, and his id was burned in a house fire. Gladly we were able to take him to the right place, and he was even registered! We met a man with Kenyan ancestry who was so happy and proud he kept hugging us to share his joy. He was actually a Brooklynite who had driven to Philly to drive his friends to the polls, and was then driving back to NY to vote himself. Most people enjoyed opening their doors to us (even though the campaign has been on them for weeks-"It was ok for Obama"), to tell us they already voted first thing that morning and tell us how excited they were, and thank us for helping. If Obama manages his presidency anywhere near as well as he managed his campaign we will all be in a great place.

Posted by: Susan Elkins at November 5, 2008 2:19 PM

PMMtenement - I can't abide extremists of any flavor, whether it be doctor-shooting religious rightists or western-citizen-murdering talibanis. I think this election was a rejection of extremism in the US, especially foreign-policy-decided-by-what-god-said-to-me nonsense. To me it was an embrace of common humanity, reasonableness, equity. I think the religious extremists have in fact, after getting some of what they wanted, now realized they don't want it, and their movement is not so coherent anymore. Its been weakened, they've been chastened.

I'm not a religious person, but God bless Obama and all of us sailing with him.

Posted by: dittoburg at November 5, 2008 2:20 PM

I meant to say equality instead of equity, but it was a pretty expensive campaign.

Posted by: dittoburg at November 5, 2008 2:23 PM

Another point on the mixed race issue: part of the reason many people with both black and white heritage identify as black is because of our country's racist past. When black people were denied voting rights, denied access to the same schools as whites, forced on the back of the bus etc. etc. etc. etc., society used "the one drop rule." That means anyone with even some black blood is considered black. Many African Americans have some European history. Thomas Jefferson (and many other white slave owners, to be sure) fathered children by one of his slaves. And those children were born into slavery - their white parentage was completely ignored. There is a huge cultural precedent here.

Obama is inspires hope in so many of us, regardless of race. Thank you all for these wonderful posts. It's been a perfect way to recap a perfect historic night.

Posted by: Kris at November 5, 2008 2:39 PM

The Republicans got what they deserved last night, no doubt about that. Mc Cain ran like he didn't want to win, and when you look at the mess the next president will inherit, I can understand why. I thought Obama's speech was wonderful and I couldn't help but feel proud that our country has reached this point. That said, I just hope that he will live up to half the hype that everyone has pumped out. I truly hope that he will be a great president, but reality has a way of crashing on the party.

Posted by: pjsubway at November 5, 2008 10:47 PM

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