For years, we were told we were unpatriotic. If we disagreed with what our government was doing, then we should shut up and get out. We were un-American. For so many years, we lived with a heavy heart and a feeling of absolute helplessness while act after horrific act was done under our flag. With the election of the first Bush win and my first vote cast for president defeated, I felt democracy was not afforded for a minority like myself. Only when Clinton was voted in did I start to feel hope and see changes for the better. With the return of the next Bush president and the eight years of ass-backwards words and actions, I became even more ashamed and even afraid for my safety to admit to being American when I went abroad.
I know there are people in this world who abhor the idea of Obama being in power. He is a democrat, he is black, he is different from them. And for this I pray daily for his safety and for their awakening. I try and remember that feeling of being represented by someone who did not share my beliefs and for just a moment I empathize. Then I remember this amazing, AMAZING feeling of hope that I can only wish for all people. A feeling of brightness in a dark world.
We know he is just a man and not a god, and that it may take some time to get results. Bu there is nothing but joy from feeling a part for the first time really, at something good for the world. The fact that he is from Hawai'i gives me such confidence in his abilities. Knowing that his experiences of being a mixed race like myself. Knowing that his ideals grow from the same place as mine and that he understand what Aloha means. That he was raised by his tutu (grandmother) and has respect for those who came before him also pleases me so. I am so excited to be represented finally, to fully know what it means and be proud to be an American.