Last night, history was made. As the sun rose, I stood in front of my Bucharest hotel room television, wiping tears, proud of my country, finally proud to be an American. I'm reminded of a quote from the play, Angels in America: "In this world, there is a kind of painful progress. Longing for what we've left behind and dreaming ahead." In one night, America is again a beacon of hope, and has stepped from shadows into brilliant light. From this day forward, I rededicate my life: to reach out to others with love and courage, to build bridges, to lift up and inspire. I ask all of my fellow Americans to do the same, to put our differences aside and to unite as one people. All eyes are upon us now. Let's get to it. Let's fulfill the dream.
5 comments:
Kerry - Well, it's finally over and
what an ending (and beginning)! I've been working on Barack Obama's campaign as a volunteer and a team
leader and now more than ever I have
come to realize what a truly transformational president he will be. We have a lot of work to do but
there is so much hope in the air and a clearer vision of what our future
can hold. I met so many wonderful
people during this campaign who gave
everything they had day after day.
Obama's campaign mantra to everyone
who worked for him was "Respect,
Empower and Include" and I think
that says it all. I hope you're
loving your experiences in Romania -I haven't had time to read your blog but with the campaign over I'll be able to catch up.
Much love,
Cheryl
Just thought I'd pop over to the only expat I know right now and see what your reaction was.
I'm with you, Kerry. I have become so cynical and jaded with our political process I could hardly believe it was true. I was really stunned. But I don't feel jubilant because there is so much for Obama to do that he is going to need all the help, hope and prayers he can get.
Check this great quote from Seamus Heaney. Quoted by Joe Biden at a campaign event in Calif. Here is the link to the mp3 clip:
You can skip it to the last third to hear the fragment of the poem Joe quotes. It is so apt. "Literally". ; )
http://www.hollywood-elsewhere.com/images/column/101008/hopehistoryrhyme.mp3
Take care,
Davanna K.
A billboard in Rome reads "The World Has Changed."
Agreed. Powerful words. I'm still walking around in a cloud. I still can't believe that Obama is our next President. Despite the fact that I said 2 years ago that whoever the Democratic candidate was had a clear path to the White House. Despite the fact that I saw firsthand that the youth movement was no longer a concept, but a reality. Despite the fact that I predicted weeks ago that Obama would get 350+ electoral votes. I am bursting with pride in America for electing a leader who will finish the job that JFK started, and reignite the dream of "Camelot." Yet my heart breaks at the hate and division that still exists among Americans. I thought that we would deal the decisive blow to hate and intolerance once and for all, but I was clearly wrong.
I still can't accept that Amendment 2 passed in Florida, and Proposition 8 in California. I am struggling to figure out how we as a nation can be so progressive and yet so barbaric at the same time. I can't understand how people who are "Pro-Life" are for the death penalty. I can't fathom how people cling to the Bill of Rights and the principles of our Constitution, yet use the Bible to legislate morality (ignoring the provision for 'Separation of Church and State'). It escapes me as to how ANYONE could support adding discriminating language into a State's Constitution - a document that exists to guarantee rights and freedoms, not take them away. We say that gays and single parents shouldn't be allowed to adopt, and we claim to be "pro children," yet we ignore those who have fallen through the cracks and languish in a broken foster care system for years, just waiting to be loved and accepted.
While we now have a leader who believes in these ideals, we still have a long way to go. Obama was dead-on when he said that the battle is just beginning. It is now time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. And I, for one, pledge to NEVER give up until EVERY AMERICAN enjoys the same rights and freedoms. I cannot stand idly by under the banner of freedom in the shadow of Lady Liberty while myself or others like me are treated like second class citizens. I refuse to sit down. I will not shut up. I will NEVER back down until we realize Obama's dream of an America that is neither a Red America nor a Blue America, a White America nor a Black America, a Straight America or a Gay America...but the UNITED STATES of America. Who among you has the courage to make this pledge with me? Who will stand up for the rights and freedoms of your brothers and sisters?
-Jamie Smith
11/5/2008
This is from my friend Annie Reid, a lesbian living in Vancouver who became a Canadian citizen after the first time Bush stole an election:
Unbelievably, in the US in 1967 it was still illegal in some states to marry someone who was a different race than you. Mildred and Richard Loving (such a nice touch, don't you think?) were married outside of Virginia and upon their return - after their home was invaded by police hoping to find them having sex (another crime) - were arrested for breaking the law banning interracial marriage.
When the case finally made it to the Supreme Court, the law was overturned. From the ruling:
"Marriage is one of the "basic civil rights of man," fundamental to our very existence and survival.... To deny this fundamental freedom on so unsupportable a basis as the racial classifications embodied in these statutes, classifications so directly subversive of the principle of equality at the heart of the Fourteenth Amendment, is surely to deprive all the State's citizens of liberty without due process of law. The Fourteenth Amendment requires that the freedom of choice to marry not be restricted by invidious racial discrimination. Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State."
In 2007, the elderly Mrs. Loving said:
"Surrounded as I am now by wonderful children and grandchildren, not a day goes by that I don't think of Richard and our love, our right to marry, and how much it meant to me to have that freedom to marry the person precious to me, even if others thought he was the "wrong kind of person" for me to marry. I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry. Government has no business imposing some people's religious beliefs over others. Especially if it denies people's civil rights. I am still not a political person, but I am proud that Richard's and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, black or white, young or old, gay or straight seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That's what Loving, and loving, are all about."
Maybe not today. But some tomorrow. Absolutely.
Since thia is a blog about Romania
lets talk about The way America treats Romanian Citizens.
Romanian citizens are consistanly refused Visa to The USA Why????
Roamania is a nato ally
It's a Ex Communist country that has a democratic government in place. Romanian people want to come to the USA for a better life
and freedoms. The same reason we fought years ago but the US state Department has yet to relise this.
I am a US citizen who has seen the treatment of Romanian citizens in Our consulate we should be ashame of our consult interviewer that are short tempered and non caring
and take no time reviewing appicants its terriable.
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