Monday, March 24, 2008

Elect This Man

I set up this blog as a way to keep friends an family informed of my whereabouts, adventures, funny stories, etc. as I'm off traveling the world and having adventures and funny stories. As such, I've tried to keep the political commentary to a minimum. There are enough political blog out there and it's not like I have a unique perspective to add to the lot.

However, I can't not mention Barack Obama's recent speech on race in this country. I have been an avid Obama supporter for a long time, but I worried that reaching his new political heights would tarnish his vision, idealism, and most of all his honesty. His recent speech on race is one of the most beautiful, honest, human things I think I've ever heard from a politician. Finally, someone willing to name the state of race in this country for what it is without dismissing the legitimacy of anyone's feelings, status, etc.

If you haven't read it already, I strongly recommend that you make the time for it. Or watch it on YouTube. I was in tears by the end.

Not that my endorsement means much, but as a teacher, as a student, as a woman, as a person of color, as a white person, as a young person, and as any other demographic I can think of, I whole-heartedly believe that giving this man the keys to the White House will send our country in the direction it needs to go.

3 comments:

Jen said...

Dave and I were saying the other day that we think this speech will go down in history, much the way the "I Have a Dream" speech did. It's today's summation on racism in America.

I'm not voting for Obama due to his background - I like his policies, honesty, etc., etc. I do think, however, that a mixed race American can bring a different sort (and necessary) understanding of the challenges our multicultural/multiracial society faces. It's time to stop the fighting and work together to let the healing begin.

He is truly a remarkable person and brings hope for us all.

Anonymous said...

Surely most of you have seen the Yes We Can Video. If not check it out (http://www.yeswecansong.com)it is quite remarkable.
His speech was one of the most amazing things I've seen in ages. Like a speech out of a foregone era, when vision the power to inspire were more important than the ability to spin and the art of compromise. Too bad most of the voters won't see the entirety of the speech and it won't be as important in the election as some pithy soundbite in a debate.

talda said...

i didn't see his speech [yes, i surprisingly manage to live under a rock] but i started reading the transcript and i can't wait to finish it. i think he will bring a welcome different perspective to the nation.