American history records a humongous first as the first African-American wins 2008 US presidency. President-Elect Barack Obama becomes the 44^th Chief Officer of the United States of America.

I still remember the first time I learned about him, during the toggle between Obama and Senator Hilary Clinton as this year’s Democratic Party’s US President Candidate. I got to know his name first through this video, which showed his powerful speech and I remember having goose bumps as I watched it. It was inspiring and moving.

Even back then, the challenges Obama faced were enormous. He was lugging behind Clinton. He’s colored, after all, and very young, in age and in politics. But I had a very strong feeling that he would get through and yes, he has won over the Democrats.

That was just the beginning. What ensued after was a much electrified, much intensified race to the White House against Senator John McCain. Democrat against Republican. Young versus old. Colored versus white. A promise of change versus long experience. And the battleground was an uneven terrain, with various American people as judges on the sides.

Of course, there were a lot of criticisms, as well as praises as Obama trekked the campaign trail. And evaluating the positive vis-à-vis the negative, I thought that he would make a better president than Senator John McCain. Because I think that Obama is a good man, more than anything. And that is a very important factor. His character embodies outstanding qualities. Throughout the campaign period, he stayed steadfast, calm, cool, intelligent, brave, and noble against the rampaging, overwhelming pressures coming from all directions.

Now, the skirmish is over. The longest presidential campaign season in the history of America comes to an end with a historic reverberating bang. Yes! Obama, a person who does not have an American-sounding name and color, has definitely triumphed over all the obstacles in a landslide fashion. Amazingly, he has emerged through. The divided American masses have decided that Obama would be their next president. The results of the 2008 US Presidential election speak of the change that has started happening in America. They coin it “New America” as a new order replaces the old.

“Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and
prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this
world. Yes we can.”

“Yes, we can!” is his resounding mantra. Obama remains audacious. He believes in hope. While there is still breath to take, there is hope. And when there is hope, change can be achieved. Change! He has fought long and hard for this race. And the victory is his. A victory he shares with both his supporters and non-supporters alike. He plans to be President for ALL of America. Blacks. Whites. Young. Old. Able. Disabled. Rich. Poor. Men. Women. Straight. Non-straight. And everyone in between.

As he addresses America for the first time after his historic win, Obama does not gloat. Instead he remains humble and gracious, thanking everyone who helped him achieve the tremendously difficult endeavor; calm, even amidst the infectious exultant and jubilant cheering of supporters; somber, as he promises to lead America with honesty and fervor; sober, as he ponders on the enormity of the challenges that lay ahead; poignant, as he speaks of “we, us, our” and not of “I, me, my”; and dignified and well-deserving all in all. His victory speech has been wonderful. He reiterated that the “victory isn’t the change we seek” but only provides the opportunity to change. He enjoins everyone to take part in the responsibility to make change come about.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there."

(If you were not able to watch Obama's acceptance speech, click here to catch it.)

What is more amazing is the fact that this election inspired the biggest number of young American generation to go out and vote, which is another first. And that thousands and thousands have become emotional as they share the joy in Obama’s victory, political leaders in other countries have sent their congratulatory greetings, and many are joining hands as they pledge support to this administration.

Now, Obama moves from campaigning to governing and the hopes are high. All eyes are on him. Will he bring about change? The whole world, together with the United States of America, hopes that Obama will deliver on his promises and more. Let’s keep the hopes up.

On a side note:

McCain concedes defeat to Obama in a gracious manner, as he urges everyone to support Obama as he himself promises to do all he can to continually serve his beloved country.

“I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.”

Labels: 2008 US Presidential Election, Barack Obama, US Politics, Yes We Can