Wednesday, November 05, 2008

President-elect Obama!

I am so happy. At last, I can once again hear a politcal speech without screaming. It's like Obama has reset the bar for public speaking. McCain's concession speech was good and unifying. And Obama's victory speech was fantastic!

And he gave us a shout out! In our language! In his speech importuning Americans to continue to work together to turn this nation around, he specifically mentioned those of us with disabilities:

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.


Now, that may be a small thing, but when was the last time we were called to serve? Or included as part of the key to victory? When was the last time we were seen as part of the solution instead of a problem to solve?

Good start, Obama. Good start.

2 comments:

Lisa Moon said...

Despite being Canadian, living in Canada, I watched with intense excitement and anticipation last night. Hooray and finally!
The American president has a great impact on our country, too, and to the world. I'm greatly looking forward to a time of real change and growth. A time for inclusiveness.

yanub said...

I am hoping, so hoping, for inclusiveness. While Obama's election does open new opportunities, the losses on civil rights on state ballot measures continue. This is why civil rights should never be up for a popular vote. The majority should not be allowed to determine the rights of a minority.