Manhattan Sonata

Wow, it has been a long time since I've written one of these. I'm not even going to try to encapsulate everything that's happened since then, but I'll hit the big stuff. I should be reading the Symposium right now, so I'm going to have to make this fast.

First off...the election!!! I am STILL elated by the results. For one, Virginia went democratic. I don't mean to pick a scab with those of you who were McCain supporters, but I am SO PROUD of Virginia. Not because they voted in line with a party, but because they finally broke the strings of "tradition." They heard the call for change and responded.

But more than anything, I feel proud to call myself an American for the first time...in a long time. I don't want to spend this blog talking about the Bush Administration, as I've already put them behind me, but I will say that I am happy beyond belief that they're being replaced by a man as fantastic as Barack Obama. I realize that many aren't thrilled with his election (as is always the case with elections), but I feel that this election really is different than all the rest. Obama stands for change. Many argue that every new president stands for change, which I believe is true to a degree; however, the change that Obama stands for is that of a different kind. There is something about this man that rises above the political undertow (good for you if you caught that Broadway reference). He promises a government based upon honesty and conscious social responsibility. Wait a minute...honesty in politics? Social responsibility in politics? Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is change. Change we haven't seen in an incredibly long time. And I'm not just talking about the past 8 years. I'm talking decades.

I truly believe that the announcement of Barack Obama's win on the night of November 4th, 2008 marked the beginning of a new era. Many criticize Obama, saying that his campaign has focused too much on inspiration and was empty of policy. While I do believe that this was initially true (which is why I didn't vote for him in the primaries), it is certainly not anymore. Anybody who watched the debates can't say that Obama didn't talk policy, because that would be lying. You can read his 83 page blueprint outlining his proposed policies here if you need more convincing. Not that you have to love all of his policies, but please don't claim his idea of change is an empty one, because it simply isn't.

Bottom line, I feel that Obama is a good man; however, he's not only a good man within context of today. He's a good man who's not afraid to bring our country forward. He looks to the future, recognizing the problems that we're facing. He's not naive, and has made it clear that we have gigantic job ahead of us, but his character somehow has been able to relieve most of the country of its cynical attitude. Regardless of your political positions, it cannot be denied that we need that kind of change. We need an American people who believe we can build a better world, and somehow this man has been able to bring out that side of so many of us.

For instance, Columbia is widely known for being extremely cynical about...well, everything; however, something amazing happened on election night. The entire buzz and attitude on this campus shifted. I only wish that everybody could have been there to see mob of students who flooded the streets of New York upon the announcement. People were cheering, sobbing, blocking traffic, and swinging from lampposts; however, it didn't at all have the college party feel. There was a certain pervasive optimism that began that night and is still buzzing about campus. Sure, I know that Columbia is a liberal school, but from all I've heard and read in the papers, this was a scene repeated all across the country. People didn't just vote to end 8 years of questionable governing, but they voted knowing that they wanted a brand new country to live in.

So, my message to those who didn't vote for Obama. I encourage you to ride this wave with us. You don't have to necessarily support every policy, but get on board with the movement that we're undergoing. Try and leave behind your cynicisms. Be a part of the mass of people who want to live up to this nation's potential to be the socially responsible leader that the world so desparately needs us to be. Allow us to move forward into that new era where people can believe in the good of others, and share it.

I'd also like to address a topic that I generally ignore. For the first time, we're going to have a minority in the White House. People, this really is a big deal. A very big deal. Racism, sexism, homophobia, etc., will never be gone, but just take a moment to reflect on what Obama's election really means. Just over a generation ago Barack Obama would have been drinking out of a different water fountain than me. Now he's been elected president. We have come SO FAR. It's not over, and never will be over, but the fact that a black man can be elected says so much. It's taken me awhile to really comprehend what a big dealt this is.