Yesterday I was lucky enough to be able to take the day off from work to be dad. I took the day because Dev’s school was closed – one of the many holidays that public schools force us parents to make other arrangements for.?Anyway, I seized the opportunity and walked with my son to?our local voting station.?Once there we waited in line for about a half an hour to cast our vote. This was notable, and telling, because I have voted in?the two presidential elections prior to this one and I never had to wait in line. Waitingwas probably the best part – it allowed us to take in the electricity of the day.?In the booth?father and son’s hands intertwined as we hastily pulled a lever that helped change the world.
For some reason I cannot articulate the events of yesterday. I am almost at a complete loss for words. But not quite. We made history on November 4, 2008. We made American history, black history, and world history. We, as a people, have corrected (at least on some level) eight years of mistakes and failure, and for that we should be thrilled.
I’ve always been a proud American black man but today as I walked the streets of Manhattan and the Bronx my chest?stuck out a little further, my swagger was a little more pronounced. Because of what we did yesterday my son will inherit a country with greater possibilities than the one my ancestors built on broken backs and burdened shoulders. I must say though – and please forgive my inability to look at this triumph?without a critical eye?- that as?the country banded together?for a common goal?we made history, but we did not erase it.?
That being said, cheers to the United States of America! Once again a beacon of hope for all who dare to dream of a better world. And cheers to Barack Obama, the 44th president of?country where freedom truly does ring.?
Amen, my friend, amen. And now we’ve got a long road ahead, but we can walk it with a smile on our faces, at long last.
Well said my friend. Certainly, my experience yesterday was part spectator since I can not begin to imagine the wave of emotions that poured through the African American community. But even as a spectator, I was caught up in that wave, and proud to be American for the first time in a VERY long time.
I love the idea of taking the kiddies along so voting will be an experience for them, as well.
I totally thought about you when I went to vote. I thought to myself how you’d make the best of this with Dev. This is great – you NEVER cease to amaze me with your parenting capabilities. Big ups to you, man!
You at a loss for words? Not hardly. “We made history, we did not erase it.” With that one statement you said just about all that need be said. Now, put those words on a t-shirt with Obama’s picture above them, print up a bunch, find yourself a corner to hawk ’em and see if you don’t make yourself some Christmas money (LOL).
It was one of the best moments of my life. I’m very excited for the first time in a very long time.