The Beginning of a New Era
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The Beginning of a New EraKOLO Blog Listing
The Beginning of a New Era
Topic Author: Anne Cutler
Posted: 11:57 AM Jan 21, 2009
Replies Posted: 4 comments
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Any way you slice it, “Election 2008” was a dousy: a female Vice Presidential candidate versus an African American Presidential candidate.  It’s not the stuff you normally see plastered on campaign posters or dominating election coverage.  From the very beginning I knew this would be a Presidential election to remember.

As Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, I realized that something had changed and not just the “Change” we heard in slogans throughout the campaign, but real, true change.  Our nation has lived up to one of its highest and grandest promises:  equal opportunity for all.  It’s not about electing the first black President.  It’s about electing someone outside of the traditional mold.  If it was Governor Sarah Palin, the Washington outsider, gun savvy hunter and oh yeah… woman, or Senator Barack Obama, the son of a Kenyan immigrant, skilled basketball player and indeed… black man, it wouldn’t have mattered.  This is the stuff Martin Luther King Junior and Sojourner Truth fought for with every bit of their being.  This is history in the making.

There aren’t many events that I know will stick out in my memory like the election of 2008.  In fact, in my lifetime, the only event I can equate is the devastating terror attack on September 11th, 2001, which shook our country to its core.  In that instance, we rallied around the tragedy, coming together to help each other in a time of need.  In this case, the country is embracing a step forward.  Whether it had been the first female Vice President, or the first African American President, it’s a change that everyone should be proud of.  As the United States of America moves into uncharted territory, I just can't wait to see what happens next...

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Posted by: Suzanne Location: Sparks
The bottom is here--it's all uphill now. Let's get moving.

Posted by: Michael Location: Reno
I agree with Sharon, too. I think we should view ourselves as "Americans", not a combination. Isn't America the melting pot? Aren't we supposed to assimilate our cultures, heritages, and ideas? It's fine to remember your past, but let's not forget the future - the way forward. I also think we need to always stop commenting on things like 'he's the first black president' or 'he's the first black attorney general'. Again, I can understand the happiness some people may have over the fact that they are "black", but aren't there more important things than SKIN COLOR? Saying that stuff allows race to seep into reporting, and it's not healthy in my view. Also, can we lose the terms "black" and "white" when referring to race? I don't know anyone who has pure black or white skin. We need to find a better description.

Posted by: Melissa Location: Carson City
Sharon from Fernley- nicely put.

Posted by: Sharon Location: Fernley
Ok so if we are to have a true "change' I'd like to see the Obamas drop the African part of being an American. As a vet its very disturbing to have all these people put "their other countries" ahead of American. You are either an American or not, if not maybe you should return to your previous country. If we are to change then change should start with at least a small recongnition of your citizenship. Drop the Aftican, Asian, Hispanic, etc. if you are a citizen. If you aren't a citizen of this country then by all means be an African, Asian, Hispanic, etc. but don't hypenate Amerian after it. You can be an American of African, Asian, Hispanic, etc descent because when you get down to it we are all descendent from somewhere! Personally, I'm an American of Irish/German/American Indian descent but not an Irish/German/American Indian-American. Its time to get REAL with the change theme