This was written on Election Day.

I am truly proud to be an American (U.S.) today.  When I went to the voting booth, and I hit the green VOTE button, I almost got choked up, thinking that THIS election was going to be memorable, historical, exciting–and the results met all of my expectations.  This was the first presidential election where I was truly behind a mainstream candidate, and it was the first presidential election where the person I voted for WON.

I don’t care that Obama was born in Hawai’i to a black father and a white mother.  I don’t care what Obama‘s ethnic background is.  I don’t care what Obama looks like.  I voted for Obama because I believed in his politics, and, quite frankly, I’m a big supporter of hope.

Unfortunately, there was a time (and, sadly, there still is a time) when people cared about whether someone was white or black or Asian or Hispanic or Native American or Other.  Whenever I talk about racial issues with my students, I give them random scenarios like, “Would it be nice if you were mean to me simply because I was short?” or “Would it make sense if you decided you didn’t like me because I have green eyes?”  Kids are great though.  I’ve worked at two schools, and it seems like kids are not prejudiced these days.  It seems like they understand that if they aren’t going to like someone, it is going to be because of someone’s personality, and not his or her appearance or background. 

Let’s hope that the world is changing for the better.  Tonight, I watched The Secret Life of the Bees, a movie where a black woman was beaten because she wanted to register to vote in the mid-1900s.  Today, Obama was elected president.  I don’t want to paraphrase Obama‘s speech, but it’s true that the country has come a long way.  That does not deny the fact that there is more that needs to be done.  Homosexual rights and women’s rights need to exist.  There are many healthcare, environmental, fairtrade, and FDA concerns that need to be addressed.  I don’t know what is going to happen, but I do feel that Obama will do a good job.

Likewise, I hope that McCain does a good job as well.  I hope that he joins the cast of Saturday Night Live.  To all of the McCain supporters out there, I mean no disrespect to him by saying that.  I really like him and respect him as a person, a hero, and as an actor.  The man has determination, loyalty, and talent.  I didn’t support his politics, end of story.