FROM PROPERTY TO PRESIDENT

Thank you, America! As frustrated as I have been the past few years with my fellow citizens, I'm happy to see us move in a positive direction. We've elected a black president. An intelligent president. Not one we wanna drink a beer with; but one who has the power of communication and can inspire. Motivate. Call to action.

As much as Obama came out of nowhere, to many of us, 2 years ago so has the fact that we've elected a black president. Five years ago, and more recently for others, the mere discussion of a black man as president was ridiculous and laughable. The collective "attitude" of white people and other non-black minorities(who are just happy they're not called black) was the black scapegoat.

In Obama's victory, he got 43% of the white vote. That's not only an amazing percentage for a black candidate, but it's also the highest a DEMOCRAT has ever gotten. He won Indiana! That alone is reason for optimism for those who truly seek change and the justice that will result from it.

To keep things in perspective, he ONLY got 43% of the white vote. To look at the red/blue election maps, the historical slave states stayed Republican voting for McCain and keeping their Congressional seats conservative. Although I do not agree with the ideologies of my southern neighbors, I realize that we need them too. Without a doubt, the root of the problem is education/miseducation. And that we can fix.

We cannot make the mistake of being satisfied with this enormous advancement we've taken. We must follow this up with actions that break the barriers for all minorities. And most of all, do not fall victim to the falsehood of "post-racial America." This election reflects more progress for whites than it does for blacks. The opening of minds and opportunity to unite is finally on the table.

Race in this country has always been a sensitive subject throughout our history. Besides the point of most people not willing(or able) to comprehend the actual physical destruction and treatment of slaves, we're suffering now because of our failure to accept the aftermath of freeing an enslaved people(that we enslaved in the first place.) The psychological effects, combined with the denial from the oppressors, are vitally important to understanding our problems with race.

For example, imagine being taken from your home(with family or not), taken to another country(with another language), where you're a slave(no matter your previous status). Your oppressors read to you from the bible, where they preach that their God has destined you to serve them. When you question this and want to read the book yourself, that's not an option. You're KILLED when caught reading(or teaching.) You learn what you can and cannot say by the crack of the whip(from a person who thinks no more of you than a farm animal.)

Then 200 years later, they discriminate against you because of the way you talk.

What I like most about President Obama is his approach to solving the many problems he(and WE) are currently facing. I realize that most of what we've heard on the campaign trail these last 2 years, we will not see happen in the next 8 years. Not to be downplayed is the fundamental change in perspective that will result of an Obama presidency(as a whole), for the American people. This SOCIALISM that we are being told to fear is exactly what we need.

Some of the issues that have stuck with me, throughout all the 72-hour news cycles, and what watered my flower of HOPE and ultimately got Obama my vote are:

Universal healthcare and the fact that he believes healthcare is a RIGHT.

His community organization background, coupled with his inspiring speech delivery. Promoting public service and rewarding it.

Taxes. Of course, he said what he had to say to get elected. When it boils down to it, I'd be satisfied with the Bush tax cuts expiring in 2010. Along with tax breaks based on the individual (medical, saving, volunteering)

Realizing that letting US repair and improve our local infrastructure creates jobs and builds a sense of pride and community. Give us something to be proud of.

You get the point. Instead of this idea of "HANDOUTS," when discussing how OUR tax money gets distributed, why NOT reinvest this money in ourselves and our communities. There are great challenges NOW and in the near future for this country. We need to be united.

I think we have a better chance as a people if we lean towards socialism, versus this ANTI-SOCIALISM from which we currently suffer.

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