Convulsions, Sobs, and Laughter

An article in the Washington Post On Faith section in response to their question: What does the election of Barack Obama as president say about America? What does it say to the world?
The phrase in my title comes from an ABC News reporter gazing out over the throng in Times Square last night, trying to describe their mood. There was communal joy over the election of Barack Obama but also a physical sense of release amounting to a national convulsion. For me, this sudden moment of liberation was caught in random overheard comments rather than grand declarations.

From a black woman in one of the crowds who was asked to reflect on the fact that America was born as a slave-owning country: "That stain is washed away now."

From Bernard-Henri Levi, French intellectual and America-watcher: "Junk politics and immorality have come to an end."

There were silent comments, as eloquent as the spoken ones: a black mother and daughter, knees crumpling, as they watched a Jumbotron image showing all 44 American presidents, everyone white except for the man in the middle, our President-elect.

The most sober comment came from Obama himself, when he pointed out that his win wasn't the change the country is seeking but only the chance for change. Happily, he's wrong in several regards. We will see immediate change globally. The rest of the world breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the neocons' attempt to create an American military empire.

In the end, the most moving comment came from Sen. John McCain in his concession speech. Like all the candidates who have stood for the Republican cause since the Reagan revolution, McCain couldn't resist the temptation to employ "junk politics and immorality" in his campaign. But he went out honorably by saying that America "isn't a country that hides from history." That hasn't been true for the past eight years. Let's hope it's gloriously true from now on.

Visit www.intent.com to read more from Deepak Chopra and other prominent voices.


http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/deepak_chopra/

Comments

[Ed Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Deepak if we can see things in an impersonal way then lifes drama reveals itself. The circumstances or karma were such that we were fortunate to have wisdom and compassion in the form of Obama. The ignorance of the past 8 years of the present admin finally exhausting itself and through the forms of McCain and Palin.

The darkness or ignorance blanketed our world and people everywhere were suffering whether consciously or unconsciously. The emergence of Light through Obama touched the world like a Sunami of love and goodness. It is now giving hope to the masses, and with it the belief that life is good.

Joyfully,
Ed

[OtayPanky]

Let's not forget that he won the popular vote by 6%. There are lots of people who are as bummed out as you and I are happy. Barack acknowledged as much in his victory speech. Hopefully, he will fulfill his promise as a truly great chief exec as FDR did, and so win over the hearts and minds of many who doubt him.

[Roxanna]

Obama has truly created a sense of hope, lightness of being, the dark cloud disappearing and maybe a direction towards solutions built with peace..

It is necessary to have Dark in order to see Light

[zbearlady]

I too, can now breathe again! The trepidation I felt over the growing corruption and complete lack of ethics and morals within government, has now been replaced with the Iightness and hope of a new future.

And because of the vision and hope that Obama brings to our entire world, I in turn was inpired to write this song/video in supoort of our children -our future generations! It is my gift of love to the planet and I hope it inspires all who see it -as Barack Obama has inspired me! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gi3VNLhHq4

[truespirit]

Zbearlady...what a beautiful video. Thank you for creating something so inspirational and powerful for all of our children!

[Honour]

This video is truly inspirational! The music and the images become one message that is so beautiful, so deeply touching . I encourage everyone to see it! Oprah should see this! - Ellen should see it; and the Obama's, -Angelina & Brad, Al Gore, and Ted Kennedy! This should be required viewing for all humans! I really hope it spreads around the world. What a gift . . . Thank you, Lynn Zanetta for sharing this lovely gift with all of us!

[HoraceOvidson]

Would that it were true that "junk" politics has come to the end. We have temporarily defeated the vampire of character assassination and negative politics. But..... we have yet to drive a stake through the vampire's heart. . The saga of Barack, the vampire slayer, continues.

[SallyStraight]

My husband said there would be a landslide and, oh silly me, I doubted him. He predicted 350 electoral votes and you see just how wrong I was. Like everyone else I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as I watched the results. The end effect was a combination.

The awful policies of the past eight years and the attempt to frighten us were not able to stop Americans. We had enough and made our voices heard. I do feel regretful that John McCain, a man I liked in 2000, seemed to have lost his way. At least he wasn't reduced to carrying Sarah Palin's bags as she went through departments stores like Grant went through Richmond. What's the word? CHARGE.

Here is to a revival of our great United States of America and the outstanding team that will lead it. To read my column, Sally Tells it Straight, often irreverent and sarcastic, frequently funny, visit http://myspace.com/sallystraight. I'll be watching for you.

'Nuff said. Sally Straight ---MyComments2

[lewes17266]

I like the CHARGE comment.

I agree with you concerning Senator McCain. I was once in awe of him. I was so disappointed when he bowed down to those "agents of intolerance."

[chrisro]

That the neocons have been repudiated in at the ballot box is a sigh of relief.

However, that Obama will continue many (if not all) of the policies put in place over the last eight years is a cause for sadness.

Morality begins where redistribution (by any party) ends.