Nov 4 2008

1955 and the civil rights movement, 53 short years ago, (even less really because the mid fifties was the beginning.) basic rights denied to people because of their skin color.

I was one when the march on Washington happened. I studied the movement in school, but I was in school in a very small town in New Hampshire, and we didn't even have any black students and it was all very distant to me. But I can remember vividly standing my living room in Hendersonville TN. when the breaking news of the OJ Simpson trial came on the TV and the verdict was read.. I remember feeling this great divide between white americans and african americans. I know the outrage/support of the trial and verdict was not totally outlined by rational lines but by a great degree it felt that way to me. I can remember watching coverage, images of the nations reaction and the polarization of the nation became vivid to me.

Nov. 4th 2008 was a different picture...one I will also remember forever, one that awed me to the core, when I watch the crowds as President-elect Obama was making his acceptance speech. Images of white faces and black faces side by side crying, screaming, cheering, hugging. Joined together in this historic moment. It was not a black president elected by black americans it was a man elected by the majority, all inclusive; white, black, hispanic, asian, regardless of his race. Now that is amazing! 50 (or so) short years ago black people couldn't even vote in the United States.

It was not a "race" campaign, Never heard McCain talk race, never heard Obama talk race; until it was all said and done and the acknowledgment of the history that had been made for all americans, but especially african americans was made by both men. And as I look back at the pictures I posted I am proud for our fellow americans.

I was talking with one of my employees Gina, after the election and she told me that nobody from Honduras thought Obama would win the election, not because they thought he was unqualified or unfit, BUT because we would never elect him BECAUSE he was black. I sat across from her totally getting how people see us.

How can you not be proud of what this speaks of us as a people, as a country. Of the realization that we are a people created equal. This is the core of what this country was founded on, freedom.

I am proud as an American and as one living in another country I am proud of what we have spoken to the world and the people I now live among.