...and I'm feeling good...

November 4th, 2008, Election Day in the United States of America. I had my crutch under my arm, and my Obama shirt on as I went to the polls. As I walked out of the poll booth, I began limping away, as I hear someone behind me yell at me, “EXCUSE ME!” I turned around and looked at a man who I had to look down at. It was some old man, with gray hair peeking out from under his Confederate Flag hat, with a dirty black sweatshirt on and some jeans, just as dirty. He bellowed at me, “Isn’t that illegal?” I looked around, and the moderator who was right next to me looked around to. “Is what illegal?” She asked. “Her shirt!” The moderator looked at the man, still pointing at me, “They didn’t tell us anything about people not being able to wear candidates shirts—“ “It’s been all over the news!” The old man barked. I spoke up, “Look, sir, I can take the shirt off, I have another shirt underneath—“ “Isn’t that illegal?” He barked again. I looked at him, “Look, sir, I hope you know this but the South lost, so get over it. And you’re living in New York now, which was not even apart of the South.” I stormed out as fast as I could on my crutch, my Mother now close behind me. She asks, “What was that all about?” “Ah,” I say, “just some racist upset because his douche bags aren’t going to win in the election.” My Mother sighs, “You are such a rebel.” I have talked to other people from different poll stations that have said other people have worn McCain shirts, as well as Obama, but have not gotten in trouble for it.

But now, Obama has proven that, and everyone who doubted a black man could become president wrong. Obama won the popular vote, and also won the electoral vote with almost 200 more points then John McCain. As I was in the ER, I watched CNN non-stop until 1am. When the polls closed in California, Washington and Oregon, and they projected him the winner for presidency, I was speechless. I was dancing in my bed the best that I could. Everyone was coming in and talking to me, and watching the great news with my Mother, and me. Even the guy next to me was thrilled. As my Mother and I watched his winning speech, I could see her wiping her eyes with enjoyment. “Yes Mom,” I told her, “you just helped make history.”

When I heard that the Illinois Senator, Barack Obama, was running for president, I had no clue what to expect. “An African-American is running for President?” I asked, “This is going to be interesting.” I didn’t think that because I am racist, but because I know there is so much racism and hate still towards people of different skin color in our country. I began researching him, getting to know what he thought about certain issues, and by the time Iowa had come along, I was cheering him on. When I saw that he had won in Iowa, I was excited. I knew he was going to make it. Even when times looked grim, and the constant struggles with Hillary, he would not give up. He knew he needed to change our country, and would fight with every thing he had. When he won the Democratic nomination, I was thrilled, and became even more of a supporter.

When John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his choice for VP, I was honestly shocked and insulted that he decided to pick this unknown bimbo from Alaska, who had barely any political experience, got a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 6 years from 5 different colleges, etc, etc. When Hillary was in the race, there had been talks about the first female president, so McCain decided he would try and make the first female VP, but picked a horrible choice. We females are not stupid. Why would we vote for a candidate who is a female, like us, but did not believe in giving us freedom of choice- freedom to do whatever we want with our bodies? Why should I sell my uterus to the government? After that gimmick appeared, I fought long and hard for Obama, for fear of what would happen if the Republicans had their way with the United States again.

As I was waiting for my Mom to come get me from the ER, I sat in a wheelchair, watching CNN as President Bush was coughing up some words on how he was excited to have Obama become the 44th president. His words were not sincere. I didn’t buy it.

I voted and support Barack Obama because of the change I hope he brings to our country in need of it. The past 8 years have been nothing but downhill, and hopefully Obama can push it uphill again. As he said in his winning speech, “I’m going to need your help, America,” and he will need our help. This is why our country has been failing, is because Bush thought he could do it all by himself. The country needs to come together, to unite, and look past the differences between race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, origin, etc. We need to stop being so hateful, so racist and help each other out.

I am excited for January 20th, 2009. I have hope in my nation now. My country is going to be lead under a great man. The past 8 years have been nothing but secrets and lies to our country, and hopefully that will change. The economy, health care, the War, foreign dependency on natural resources… I hope those changes for the better. I have faith that Barack Obama can deliver what he promised the millions of American’s who are anxiously waiting his first day in office.

As Michelle McManus once sung, “It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life… for me. And I’m feeling good.”