The American Transformation

Barack Obama is in the lead to win the presidential election. As you read this, the election is still in progress. The world can change because of his victory. I believe and I am of the school of thought that one man can make a difference.

This is an emotional moment in American politics. Obama represents an American correction. He is our future, our hope and our possibility. Change, indeed. Needless to say, The American Black Man was not represented when our forefathers, Jefferson, Washington and Madison wrote the constitution. Black men and women were not included. Although we talk about equal opportunity and the freedoms by birthright, we were not always included. And now, here we are fully participating in the American mainstream process.

What took you so long, America?

Many older people have waited a long time for this day--having witnessed World Wars, segregation, discrimination, overt racism--expecting that what they believed to have been an impossibility could actually come to fruition. The Civil Rights generation has seen their world come full circle. This is what they marched for. This is the end of the protest. Although the Obama campaign did not outwardly court the civil rights people, they are proud of this moment because without their 40 years of trials and tribulations, we, honestly would not be here.

The King dream is realized.

Young white America has entered a new era. They have perhaps ended America's racism. Their good efforts have risen to the top of the country by judging Obama by the content of his character and not the color of his skin. The barrier dropped. The young hands of technology have won. I hope we have finally said "goodbye" to America's apartheid in this single, long-awaited, historical election.

Obama has rallied America with a single word: CHANGE. He spoke of one America, not a divided one. It resonated into victory. Obama's timing has been exquisite. His campaign has been a model one as he has defied and broken every stereotype and seized his moments. His story is one of belief, determination and persistence. I believe his life and order are divinely guided. He has come for a time such as this. He has changed American politics. He knows; he reflects; he projects; and he has danced the political tango and waltz.

Chicago, the lakefront city, is out of the ordinary. This place has given rise to national black political voices compared to none other from Congressman William Dawson to Harold Washington. The eccentric mix of the South Side with its jazz and blues, liberal progressive Hyde Park, and the independent politics of the likes of Leon Despres and the late Dick Newhouse mixed with the machine politics of Mayor Daley and Emil Jones, on to the renown voices of the pulpit from the Civil Rights Movement to Catholics have rolled out the spotlight on a winner.

This is an election that will be remembered as the one that turned the country around. People are already recalling the day they voted in 2008. Many Americans think this is the first time there has been a real choice. We have seen our communities come together with a quiet strength, force and resolve that has a spiritual tone. The tears of joy flow with the pride and pain of when grandmothers and grandfathers living in the South didn't have the right.

The only other time I witnessed this is when Harold Washington won the mayoral election, making history as the first black mayor of Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune made its own history in its first-time support of a Democratic candidate--our favorite son--as it chose not to support the party it helped to father. McCain's old Republican dirty tricks just didn't work. His hints of racism were slapped down and many of his antics simply backfired. A fresh face is before us.

McCain paid America a great insult with the vice presidential selection of the political bimbo, the Alaskan, Sarah Palin. She just doesn't have the experience to play on the national level. At best, she is a mid-management manager. McCain and his people exhibited poor judgment when they thought any woman would do. Quality matters. Tokens won't do.

It's terrifying to think of Palin in the White House.

The election has been far too long and issues that I would have liked covered did not get in the public debate, but a "job well done," Barack Obama. He has earned it. Michelle Obama has been the quintessential political mate, while still being the perfect mother, wife and friend. David Axelrod, the former Tribune political reporter, has been a wonderful strategist and Valerie Jarrett, the astute friend.

And Oprah lent her powerful voice perfectly.

Congratulations to all of you Chicagoans! You have done us proud as we rise to transform America.

Comments

[Brendan Lemmon]

To me, an Obama Presidency represents what is best about America: our ability to rally around each other for a common cause, for the common good of every man, for the ability to share with our families and friends the prosperity earned by previous generations who have worked so hard to give us the chances needed to keep the cycle going. I hope, as we enter the next four years of a likely Obama Presidency that the momentum created by his campaign will continue to resonate with the people of this nation so that we can once again realize what we are capable of and as a result, better the world that we live in.

[Brendan Lemmon]

Obama represents real change. Change not only seen in the skin color of the man occupying the office of President, but change in how our nation's populace views itself. I cannot agree with you more that my generation has been integral in dropping the race barrier that once existed for an African-American in politics. I grew up in a predominantly minority neighborhood, and never thought being white entitled me to anything, or that I was better based upon the color of my skin. I have always believed firmly in the notion that I must work hard for what I want to achieve, and that if I put my mind and heart into it, that I can achieve my dreams. Obama, to me, represents the true spirit of the American dream- born into hardship, he has achieved greatness. Faced with adversity- he as overcome great odds. My own parents grew up in an era where segregation was the norm- where whites and blacks were seperated from each other simply because that was how our nation operated. Change was sought when they were growing up, to change the way African-Americans were treated, and change has been sought in many arenas ever since. Obama, as you believe, has brought true meaning to the word "change" in that he has rallied an entire nation to stand behind his banner in order to better themselves, and better our nation as a whole.

[Hermene Hartman - Huffpost Blogger]

thank you for your comments. We will celebrate on November 5. A grande toast to you.

[Shiral]

All I want in the world is for Barack Obama to be the next president.

Neocons, go home, go anywhere, cross the Bridge to Nowhere, but get LOST! Karl Rove, YOU go first. America has had enough of your ruinous rule. We're tired of lunatic fringe Rapture Right Christians. We like the separation of Church and State just fine, thank you. Abe Lincoln was right, especially about listening to the "Better Angels of our nature." If there was ever a time we needed to do that, it's now.

Obama/Biden '08 because I want my NEXT president to be Reality Based!

[Hermene Hartman - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for responding. I am certain he will win if we all do what we are suppose to.

A toast to you.

[bloity]

As a Canadian, I couldn't agree with you more. Barack is an incredible gift to the world, and after 2 years of watching this play out via Huffpo, his leadership has awed and inspired me in my own life to fight the good fight with words, negotiation, thoughtful responses and a fire in my belly to play a bigger role in my community and to use my words and actions to lift up my fellow Canadians who have even less opportunities and resources than I have, to be as revered and included in our communities as they were promised. He has inspired me to show up everyday in my own life, and to be a part of the solution in others lives. Never have I ever been so proud to be a part of this historical moment, and I'll always remember where I was when he is voted in as our leader in the world.

[Hermene Hartman - Huffpost Blogger]

He does us all proud and is a real modern day living example.
thanks for taking the time to write.

[RhiannonMR]

As an adult who came of age during the 70s Barack Obama is the first political voice I've heard personally that appeals to our best selves. He didn't sling mud, he didn't descend into a cage match with his opponent. When he attacked it was an attack on their policies, not themselves as people. He has shown us what it should be. I am proud to say I voted for him in early voting and yes I will be glued to my TV next Tuesday praying he wins.

He has my kid's votes. And no they didn't have to persuade me. This is the first campaign in over 40yrs to have original music created by people inspired by it. That tells me he's the one. He's the gamechanger. He'll need us to back him up, but yeah he's the guy.

[Hermene Hartman - Huffpost Blogger]

Indeed he has made us proud and all can be inspired. He is an inspiriation and a model for us all to live by.

[Hermene Hartman - Huffpost Blogger]

He is just right for our times and will be a great President. Hey November 5 is just a few days away.