I watched Obama’s 27 minute infomercial this morning and found my eyes filled with tears more than once. I have a big, inarticulate hunk of emotion in my chest; I am full of hope about what this country can be, both pride and ambivalence about what it has been, and gratitude that extraordinary people like Barack Obama are willing to step up to positions of immense responsibility.
This emotion is complicated: it is partially the way I feel when I watch the WW2 vets march by in the Fourth of July parade, but it’s also the way I feel when I watch my children growing up genuinely unaware of racial and ethnic difference. It’s the fundamental optimism I sense in the American people, and it’s also shame about both international arrogance and domestic materialism. I know that nothing is certain yet, but I am deeply proud of our country for (hopefully) electing Obama president.
I feel very proud to be an American today. Well, if things go the way I hope they will, that is. Long lines to vote inspire me.
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