When I visited South Africa a few years ago, I had a chance to go to Robben Island and stand in your cell, and I reflected on your courage, your foresight and conviction, and on your fundamental belief that we do not have to accept the world as it is; that we can remake the world as it should be.
Barack Obama to Nelson Mandela
July 2008
Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place. We wish you strength and fortitude in the challenging days and years that lie ahead. We are sure you will ultimately achieve your dream of making the United States of America a full partner in a community of nations committed to peace and prosperity for all.
Nelson Mandela to Barack Obama
November 2008
The impact of some people reaches beyond boundaries of nation and time. And they leave the world, and each of us, forever changed. For the better.
Congratulations to all of us.
Edit: I came home slightly early from work so that I could watch the oath-taking and inauguration speech on TV. This was followed by a documentary on President Obama's life that echoed much of what he wrote in his first autobiography, Dreams from my Father, as well as documenting his journey to the Presidency. It really moved me.
And his speech today did the same thing. It moved me. Because - as I just wrote to a friend - I believe him. And I believe in him. He is not a magician or a miracle worker and I might not agree with all he says and does in future but I think the world is better for what happened today. For having him in it. For all the individual acts of hope that it took to get him to this point. For all the integrity I believe he will exercise in this office. For the impact that he might have on history yet. And it feels good to have something good to believe in.
I am better for it.
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14 comments:
This is beautiful. It is an incredible time for many.
New found hope in this country is most surprising and overdue. There is optomism indeed and a willingness to work at making life more honest- accountable- better. So much wants doing I feel sorry for the Obama family. Taking all this on is so overwhelming- huge!
There certainly seems to be an awakening happening nationwide- worldwide- perhaps it is a new earth!
That is our hope, dear Kendalee!
Yes, what a great day this is! - I will be watching some of it on TV tonight. I hope that spirit of "being the change" and not just sitting on one's backside waiting for good things to happen will filter through to the rest of the world - here in SA as well.
So eloquently put. As an American I am stunned still, that we could go from electing the biggest horse's ass twice to electing one of the most selfless, prophetic, compassionate, optimistic men ever to even attempt politicking. I share your belief that he will be good for the world as a whole... just as Bush was so very bad for it.
Yay for us all!!!
This post has brought tears to my eyes!! What a historic day indeed!!
there are tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my arms.
Today is history and i feel so excited and happy for the whole world!
and can't help feeling teary too....
xx
Claire put it well- goosebumps and tears... beautifully written
A new Era just started. I wish him all the best to spread peace all over the world.
Quite a special time! Did not know that he had been to Robben Island! That was a highlight for me a few years ago. A very emotional experience.
this is just lovely and I think you did a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of this monumental event in our lives. I've been thinking a lot about belief and trust lately. I'm with you, the simple act of believing a person makes all the difference in the world.
Heidi - thank you. Incredible indeed to witness global history in the making :)
Linda Sue - You're right, it's a daunting challenge. But if hope can be converted into action through their inspiration, who knows what might be achieved?!
Anairam - Yep, that's the hard part isn't it? Hoping for change alone is not enough. And momentum can be quickly lost...
Rachel - hear, hear!!!
Sebrina, Claire, Lala and Harper - it really is such an emotional thing, isn't it? I was all tearful too!
Khaled - a new era for sure. He has such a lot of goodwill around the world. I hope it spreads too.
Denise - I liked that link so much to our own history. Robben Island really has to be experienced, doesn't it?
Lisa - trust is such a powerful and yet fragile thing. And how one gains it or grants it is such an interesting consideration for me too. So many intangibles involved sometimes, aren't there?
For the first time I actually admire the American President and I think we're all better off, no matter which country you call home.
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