Most of what  I wanted for America happened last night.  It's a very happy day for me although, Prop 8 failed ...it didn't fail by much, a very close vote!, I feel the African Americans have finally become equal after many years of fighting for their rights and I can see a UNITED all loving America just around the corner.  Gays and lesbians will have their day  as well.  I hope I am alive to see it so that I can see the tears of joy on many more people as I did last night on the faces of many African Americans.

Tears flooded my face last night when the new president of America was announced and several times after as speeches were made and as I viewed video of people dancing and crying with happiness. The thought of America voting for love, intelligence, and equal rights over war, greed, and bigotry makes me want to sing as well........  

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
 

I was moved by his speech.  I hope everyone can come together for the good of the country.  I truly believe America elected a man who knows how hard the upcoming years will be.  I like the fact that he asked all Americans to join him in making the changes that we need to make to put America back on track.  And that he acknowledged the rest of the world.  I was a bit surprised about how calm he was, and how he was almost somber.  The moment had to  be bitter sweet with his Grandmother dying right before the election. 

  I must be crudely naive, it was never about his color for me. How Black is he anyway? Is he the only President that has had other than White in his bloodline? I bet not. Is it that important what color he is, isn't he Muslim as well? .......It reminds me of when Hale Berry won the Oscar for best actress. Her white Mother was the only Parent present. The media only focused on how black she was....isn't this taking away from the person themselves? I understand I'm not being very eloquent in my thoughts here, I guess I didn't realize how significant his race was. It makes me ponder the real reason he was voted in. May God be with him in his journey!

Storilori, his race was only significant to the racists...(one of the worst ones right here on TN blogs). With a 61% "white" vote, I'd say that speaks volumes! And after over 200 years of being second class citizens, this white lady is happy and proud that the time has come!!!   

A black commentator on CNN made a significant statement when the results were posted.  He said that he has, over time, been able to tell his children that they can become lawyers, doctors, professors, but never could he say they could be someday the President of the United States.  Well, now he can say it. 

When I heard that I had a small hint of what it must be like to be black in the USA.  I think a large part of what drove Sen. Obama to want to be President is his concern for his childrens' future and the future of all 'black' children.  I hope with all my heart that having a mixed race president will help persons of all races let go of some of their prejudices.

Ohhh, the derangement of it all!

Joty, did you see Whoopi, on the view today?

Have you ever read the book, "Black Like Me?"  It  was written by a guy in the 50's that shaved his head and took meds to change the color of his skin to black.  He then lived for several weeks as a poor black man who tried to get a job without sucess.  A real eye opener. Highly recommended!

Swilli-- it was probably a slip of the tongue...I think Obama is not a racist or that side would have been exposed by the you know who's!  It's not like Bush has ever had an slip of the tongue--oops--Bush's was not a slip of the tongue, his was from ignorance!

StoriLori...dang it...I missed Whoopi, was it good?  This working thing really cramps my style, even if it is from home!

I have heard of the book, Aws, but never read it.  I remember reading the angry black authors of the fifties and sixties which gave no real insight into their lives other than being ferociously and constantly bullied by law enforcement.  I remember the slaughter of several blacks when police blew away the door into their apartment and, in doing so, killed several men.  Chicago, I think. 

I remember the state lawmakers' fear in the CA state capitol building when several black panthers from Oakland (who provided hot meals for school kids in black neighborhoods) marched in the halls wearing their black berets and black leather jackets and carrying guns (!).  I remember the two Olympic athletes raising their fists from the podium in Mexico City when they won first and second place in an event and being stripped of their medals for doing so.  I remember visiting Florida in the late fifties and being amazed at the Jim Crow signs. 

But I never really, really understood until Roland Martin on CNN made that statement with tears in his eyes.  Even then, I know I will never truly appreciate what it's like to be "black".

I will order the book from Amazon today.  Thank you, Aws, for the recommendation.

Storilori, his race was only significant to the racists.. LOL You're joking right Joty!  95% of African- Americans voted for Obama. I call that pretty significant, and I highly doubt they're all racist.

Swilli- I have a cousin who is half black....she said the same thing about her kids as well. Of course her kids are only a quarter black, but Obama winning was very significant to her. :)

Countrygirl, I must confess that I was counting on the African-American and the Latino voters to bring Obama into the presidency. 

I have had black friends, very good friends, who have told me they believe many blacks in this country are more prejudiced against whites that the reverse.  My friends came from Zaire and South America.  They were much freer in their conversations with me about racism in this country than the native born blacks. 

I saw proof of the racism amongst blacks when O.J. was acquitted.  I asked my good friends, who happened to be first generation African/American, why the majority of blacks celebrated his acquittal when he was obviously guilty.  They told me that I had no clue as to the depth of bias from blacks toward whites.  They didn't care if he was guilty or not.  They only cared that he was set free.

I hope your cousin is right.  I would dearly love to see an end to bias based on nothing more than the color of a person's skin.  That's just asinine.

Hey swilli--buy it from half.com--it may be used but alot cheaper.  I just placed an order from them last night (The Road Less Traveled)   It cost .75   plus 3.99 shipping.  Also check out Amazon used books too--I bought a book yesterday (100 Choices) for .01 and 3.99 shipping.

Swilli, I think you are right. I know I'll get a lot of crap for this, but I'm OK with that because I know I'm not racist. It makes my heart sad when I see prominent African American figures fight against racism while breeding it. A prime example is good ol' Rev. Jesse Jackson. Sadly, I feel that many blacks use the race card as a crutch when things don't go their way. Its a free pass from responsibility. I perfect example is one of my sister's ex-boyfriends. My sister dated this man ( a black man) for over a year. He was invited to all of our family functions, and when he lost his job my dad gave him one.  Over time it became clear that he just wasn't going to work out for my dad. He just didn't have what it took for the line of work my dad was in so my dad had to let him go. As soon as this happened he started talking all kinds of crap about my dad telling anyone who would listen what a racist he was. He told people that the reason my dad let him go was because he was black. Not true at all. We had welcomed this guy into our home and treated him like family, even helping him in his time of need, but as soon as things didn't go his way he turned on us.

Wow...nope, we don't stand a chance to combat racism 100% 

Joty, you're right, and you know why?? People claim it's there when it isn't!