The United World of Obama: The Future is Now

Barack Obama just became President of the world - but it is Americans of all shades and backgrounds and stories who are the proudest ones of all.

In one instant America and the world has changed forever and all of us Americans who proudly voted - for the first time with a real sense of support for the candidate, rather than the intention of stopping the other man from ruining our livelihoods - we are brimming with hope and history.

As we watch the television screens and float in a sense of awe and disbelief, we see images of people all over the world - especially in Kenya - who remind us how lucky we are to have the opportunity to vote in the United States. I often wonder how many of them wish they could vote too.

But the truth is that we, each and every one of us, voted in their place. Iranian-Americans like myself voted for all of those Iranians who wish their country could be given a chance to realize its immense possibilities. African Americans voted for all of those Africans past and present whose struggles and stoicism seek deserved rewards. European Americans voted for their ancestors who left Europe and came to America to seek that infamous dream and their families who today work so hard to realize it. Latin Americans voted for all of those relatives whose sacrifices led them to a nation where their effort could redeem a life worth living.

We all voted for those Iraqis, Afghanis, Pakistanis, servicemen and women, and other victims of a meaningless corporate war whose brutal fortunes can be reversed with a leader who has some measure of humanity.

Tonight, the American people didn't just unite their states, they united the world: a world that in 7 short years had seen the nadir of hate, had witnessed the horror of inhumanity, had suffered the contemptible accusation that not all people are created equal.

From the "black" faces in the crowd at Grant Park who stood muted with awe to the "white" faces who jubilantly glowed with the affirmation of joint compassion and responsibility - Americans overwhelmingly mandated a change from divisive, hateful politics to inclusive and optimistic human relations in this the 21st century.

For the first time in our lifetimes, Americans have shown their best side on election night - they've proven to the world that this country is well and truly a melting pot of ideologies, races, religions, and creeds and with that it has the capability to bring all of these differences together toward the common goal of a pursuit of happiness for all. We are willing, Americans said. I will do my best, Obama answered.

President-elect Obama thanked all of us tonight -- his speech was an acknowledgment that we all had hired him with the responsibility to better our world. He humbly accepted our mandate, both with a profound sense of history and a compassionate appreciation that we and he have changed the entire world for the better.

And what of the world? Tonight, it just sighed with relief - good things can happen to good people, it seems, and Americans are good people again.

Read more reaction from HuffPost bloggers to Barack Obama's victory in the 2008 presidential election

Comments

[Kalfardaa]

Great euphoric article from someone who's brimming with hope. Americans have almost redeemed themselves (I say almost because the crime of voting Bush into office twice is unforgivable). The results just prove that the combined minorities can shift the balance in this country. I still believe the 48% of Mccain voters who so obviously believe in the Neo-Con agenda remain extremely dangerous to the entire World.

Lets just hope Obama works for the 51% that voted for him and not for the 48% that voted against him. I am apprehensive.

[fishX2]

So true! I love the global perspective, we live in a globalized world and we must always think about political action within that lens.

[an american]

thank you for this wonderful piece. i hope you continue writing your insightful pieces. if this past election has shown us anything, it's that we need fresh new perspective and ideas.

[imodotcom]

Excellent piece. Shows an international perspective.

I hope President Obama makes it possible for distribution of Al Jazeera in the US. (It was blocked by Fanatic Right-wing Conservatives - the fear-mongers fear fear itself). I don't know much about Al Jazeera except that it can provide a 'different' and valuable view and perspective.

The blindly loyal followers need to view different perspectives; they might just realize how much misled they were.

Regardless, I hope President Obama focusses on his main mission: Unite America, Lead America and as you said, Unite the World.

- imodotcom

[Xoanon42]

Indeed. From Australia, I wish President-elect Obama and the American people all the best for the future. Let's put aside the deranged misguidedness of the past eight years - the tragic conviction that aggression and blind conviction is enough to deliver security - and work together for a better planet.

[Justaminute]

Ms. Sadeghi, you gave words to what I was feeling in my heart. Thank you.