Oh My...

I'm going to be honest with you.

I cried.

I cried during the first part of Barack Obama's acceptance speech.

I cried because I was so proud that our country was able to put race aside and vote for the best person for the job.

I cried because of the legacy of hope that African Americans in this country now feel.

I cried because for eight freaking years I felt hopeless and beat down. Like our country was going backwards and there was not a damn thing I could do to stop it.

I cried because I believe that my son will be growing up in a society that is truly on its way to being color blind.

I cried for what Obama must be feeling, the unbelievable high of winning the presidency, and the horrific low of losing someone so very close to him just yesterday.

I cried because I was so happy that we finally have someone in the White House who is such a skillful orator. There is something to be said for not mispronouncing words and actually knowing what all of them mean.

Do I think that he is perfect? No.
Do I think he will do things I disagree with? Absolutely.

But for the first time in a long time, I feel a tiny seed of hope. There are more things that Obama and I agree on than disagree. And he is right, it's going to be a long, steep climb. He is inheriting the country when it is at one of its lowest points in history, and it's not going to get fixed overnight.

But until he gives me a really good reason to doubt, I will put my cynicism on hold and believe that we can indeed change for the better.


*As an aside, when the John McCain supporters actually booed at the mention of Obama's name, Hubba-hubba turned to me and said, "That is why I did not vote for the Republican party." Contrast that to the deserved cheers and gracious praise given to McCain at the Obama speech, and that pretty much sums it up for you.