Nov. 4th, 2008: a night that changed the course of history.

God knows I lost my faith in politicians a long time ago. I’ve seen them look out for "number one," stab each other in the back and generally not give a shit about the people they so solemnly swear to represent and serve. The world over, power-hungry scumbags motivated by greed have prospered at the expense of those in their charge, yadda yadda yadda, so on and so forth. Then, why is it I am so moved by what just happened?

I have been enormously inspired by Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. presidential elections last night. I have been swept up in the energy of an historic moment happening hundreds of thousands of miles away. A more cynical observer would undoubtedly say, that is exactly what these campaigns are engineered to do: to get under your skin and move you intellectually and emotionally into backing such and such a person.

However, and especially for one such as I, that looks to The States with a passionate interest, and understands that, in this day and age, decisions made in Washington affect the entire globe, this turn of events, not entirely unexpected yet still surprising and deeply moving, spells the real opportunity for a new beginning, for a change. I find that three facts endow this auspicious event, which was crowned by a magnificent victory speech, with an aura of true possibility: 1. The horrible track record of his predecessor, George W., in what probably will be considered the worst two presidential terms in U.S. history, 2. The fact that Obama is the first U.S. president from a minority group, and 3. The fact that this election motivated this country’s largest voter turnout in decades. If the American people can defeat apathy and a history of racial prejudice to place their faith, as a nation, in the hands of an African American leader, then maybe it is true that anything can happen.

I’ve already begun to hear "buts" and caveats. Early critics, cynics and people who are still operating on outdated modes of thinking are already circling their wagons to address their concerns. From the other side as well, people who already put their money, energy and hard work where their mouths are, look at what happened last night with profound mistrust. The former cower in the face of a road that may mean digging into our pockets to alleviate a nation – and a world – that desperately needs it, in terms of social and environmental responsibility. The latter, view the president elect as yet another pawn, yet another version of the bourgeois system that will continue to perpetuate the relationship of haves and have-nots that keeps the rich getting richer and the poor oppressed underfoot. As valid as these views may very well be, I think they are missing the point of what really went on - or maybe it is I who is guilty of idealist blindness. Regardless, the message I gleaned was two-fold:

1. We are a global community in the XXIst century. More than ever, we are aware on a very personal and emotional level that what we do in our respective corners of the world affects all those around us, and will eventually come back home to roost. Somehow we have come full circle - or at least have begun to see that initial starting point as we turn the corner - relating to the wisdom that our native brothers have been trying to whisper in our ears from the time Europeans first begun to come to America, and even before that. One need only look at the words of Chief Seattle in 1854 to get a glimpse into their insight, and, mind you, it is a message shared by native peoples in the Americas, Asia, Oceania, etc.

2. The other factor is motivation. I witnessed a people, wide-eyed and overjoyed, looking at coexistence in a different, novel way. I saw people willing to take on the road ahead of them, not necessarily from the comfort of their own homes - or at least not entirely - and to take action to bring about a transformation. Obama's campaign ran on fresh ideas that include dialoguing with all the world leaders, even with those whose ideas run contrary to U.S. interests, and exploring new energy sources, even at the cost of alienating the powerful oil conglomerates. These are only two examples of a progressive approach that, in my humble opinion, has the makings of a paradigm shift, an propitious starting point deserving of this new millenium. Nevertheless, a great many points of view will have to be taken into account, many perspectives be swayed and refurbished, many endeavors fulfilled.

And so, the doubts of the non-believers and nay-sayers ring true, at least in the sense that this, again, is only the beginning, and the battles to bring about a change that is lasting and meaningful are uphill ones, beset by pressure and threats, temptation and apathy. This new leader must rise above all these, as must we. Together, from all corners of the world, we must truly coalesce into a united, global community, one that can tackle the huge messes our individual groups find themselves in, to be able to effect freedom, equality and the pursuit of happiness, holding a healthy spirit of individuality in our communion, and communal cause in our individual experiences.

And so, today, as I find myself inspired by this politician like none other before, I bring to you the words that Walt Whitman wrote in honor of another freedom fighter. How synchronous that these words pay homage to a man that fought and won the first meaningful struggle against slavery in the U.S., thus paving the road that delivers Barack Obama to the position he finds himself in right now. Whitman wrote to Abraham Lincoln:

O CAPTAIN! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting...

As sacrilegious as it may seem, I dare add:
O captain! My captain! Only a respite in the journey this is;
The wind has died for naught but a passing spell, the sails will soon swell on;
The real quest will so begin, with all of us embarking...

Good luck to you, good man. Good luck to us all. YES WE CAN.
Thanks for reading. Blessed be.