hope, change & love
(outside the US embassy election party in Berlin)
Normally I'm sceptical about America's claims to leadership, but Barack "The Handsome" Obama might actually be deserving of the title. It was evident when in his victory speech he talked about 106-year-old Ann Nixon Cooper from Atlanta and the progress she has witnessed in her long life. Obama is living proof that Dr. King's dream is true in America today.
Moreover, Obama's roots will hopefully provide him valuable insight on how America is perceived internationally. He doesn't have to travel abroad to know what people around the world think of the US. As the son of a muslim man from Kenya, with family around the world and having lived in Indonesia as a child, he's had "international experience" all his life. It is no surpise that not only Americans, but people all over the world have high hopes in his presidency.
I've truly been inspired watching this election. Obama's emphasis on grass-roots organizing and the promise to open government up to the American people and bring it into the 21st century are a refreshing change to the role of politics in society. His willingness to acknowledge other view points and to bridge the divisions that plague America is something that everybody -- not only politicians -- ought to emulate. Politics would be easier, more would get done and life would just be better.
So, congratulations, President-elect Barack Obama! Congratulations, America! We love you and we always knew you'd get your act together eventually.