Turning Point: Words Do Little Justice

America’s storied journey of freedom and democracy wound around the world when Barack Obama was elected Tuesday to be our country’s next President.

It was truly one of those historic moments people will never forget—where they were when it was ascertained that we had indeed elected a Black man to lead our country in these very trying and tumultuous times. Words do little justice to the experience of it all.

Hope filled their air, at least where we were Tuesday night. The crowd of people who filled The Aquarium for HPR’s election return party were very likely a reflection of what was going on across the country. It was not a gathering of one political party or the other. It was, however, a gathering of like-minded people who wanted to be connected with others as history unfolded an election result that will forever be considered momentous and historic. That The Forum‘s news team showed up en force after putting their paper to bed gave further evidence of the new era we are all entering into.

But, more seriously, it all happened early, surprisingly early. We knew who our next President would be before the evening news would ordinarily have started. We heard from both candidates well before midnight.

John McCain’s concession speech was classy and moving. He was the first to show a good example of respect to his former opponent, his new President-elect. In defeat, McCain shone with dignity and honor, sage wisdom and humility.

He set the tone for transition to a political era that admittedly will not be easy for some people. He showed us the path through this time of change. He will forever be remembered for the grace with which he accepted the clarion call for change and transition of power at the highest levels in the land.

Barack Obama delivered. His acceptance speech was inspired and authentic. It was laced with color and seasoned with history. It was a speech unlike any other at any other time in America’s history. The speaker. The moment in time. The audience. The weight and implication of it all.

The crowd at The Aquarium above Dempsey’s was spellbound as Obama spoke. You could hear a pin drop. You could feel the emotion welling up in the room. You could sense the immensity of what we were all witnessing and part of. There was nary a dry eye and the tears were those of hope and joy.

After the last two presidential general elections, it was also a relief to have things go relatively smoothly. No chads hanging. No Supreme Court weighing in. No election fraud to speak of. No votes stolen by computer hackers. No despicable acts of discrimination depriving some of their vote.

Instead, we had record turnouts that celebrated early voting in many parts of the country. We had a clear mandate from the people that the times they are a changing and that’s exactly what we need and want. We had historic results no matter which way it went, the first black as president if elected, the first woman as vice president if elected.

Granted, some day down the road, this moment in history will blend in with others unique to the American experience.
The Forum with its banner headline appeared and floated around The Aquarium not much after midnight. “Obama 1st black US President.” People were glomming onto it, seeing that heretofore unforeseen dream actually happen in real life and then make the headlines it deserves. They were gleeful and exuberant, seeing evidence in our local daily of the experience of a lifetime. There was this satisfaction in knowing and being there when it happened, feeling it right here at home, being part of it just like everyone else across America at this one moment in time.

If this is the new America we can expect more of, all we can say is, Hear! Hear!