This nominee is our gift to the next generation, our children

[oxbow]

Do you remember what it felt like being inspired as a child? I remember shortly after coming to this country listening to Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and other big-hearted people who inspired a deep love of the environment and life itself in me. The eloquence and passion with which they communicated their view of the world, their cause and their purpose stirred something deep within me that continues to change and grow my life in unexpected ways today.

When I look at Barack Obama, I see that same potential for inspiration and passion writ large. The very idea of a President Obama is profoundly inspirational from just a symbolic viewpoint. He represents simultaneously the dreams of America the great melting pot and America the country where you can indeed realize your true potential if you work at it. Hope in the future combined with the willingness to roll up your sleeves and pitch in; the message doesn't get any simpler nor more inspirational than that, to me. And then there's his gift of speech. The man electrifies the crowd like a lightning rod, combining themes of change and progress with a deep love of family and connectedness in community which I admire so much in American black culture. He calls on the best aspirations of Americans in plain, strong terms, and we are reminded of what true democracy can really be.

I will be proud and a little envious of the children who grow up during the Obama administration. They will know without a doubt that in America, anything is possible. They will know what it means to have the fire of passion lit under them, passion for a cause greater than their own small lives. And they will know that when it was all on the line, America stood up against those who would squander their futures and their planet. When it came down to it, this country pulled through for them.

[oxbow]

1. kick. nt.

[Catherina]

2. Word. I never get tired of this photo

[oxbow]

4. aw, very strong photo. That's what I forgot in my post!

There's one particular photot I can't find right now. It's a black and white one of Barack and a young black boy who's looking up at him. And the look that they share is just golden, like the boy sees himself in Obama...does anybody have that photo? All I have is this one, and I don't think it matches my post so much!

[Catherina]

6. Here you go. They're in my journal since they're 2 of my favorite photos

Ichingcarpenter is the one who posted the first one and might have a larger version.

[BlooInBloo]

3. Hm. I thnk they'll be envious of US having seen the before, the change, and the after.

[bhikkhu]

5. K&R, and I remember

back in 69, 70, 71, I was a little kid in California. In those days we just roamed around town, playing and exploring and so forth, coming home for lunch and by dark at night. I remember the Hippies and Vietnam vets and the high school students and the music, and the feeling in the air. It is odd how you soak things in so young, but I remember it even without having words to attach. And this feeling sort of haunted me as Reaganism settled in, and the country closed up or hearts shut down.

I am so happy that my kids are growing up in a time such as we have now, though it is sure to be "interesting" in the Chinese sense.

[Irishonly]

7. Thank God, we have given them something

My daughter votes for the first time this year. She knows her mom is an old political activist, has heard about me almost being suspended my senior year because I wore a black arm band to school on the first anniversary of Kent state and has seen pictures of my old protesting days. She's been blessed by the elders of our church. They marched with Dr. King, and every Friday afternoon we join them in Claremont to protest this war. She has heard her mom bitching and yelling at Bush that he is a lyin sack of shit for most of these past eight years. When she was younger I would wait until she wasn't here to explode. I may be an old hippie but I am a prude about raising children.

We were both for Edwards and she we shared an evening of tears when he suspended. I was sitting on the fence but she started researching the good Senator Obama and there was a total role reversal. She can be credited with getting me off the fence. I look at her face and the faces of her friends and it takes me back years when our generation was so full of hope. Now I think it's all good.