A historic night.
Celebration. Vindication. Disbelief. Pride. Some of the many emotions I felt tonight. I am more proud today to call myself an American than any time in my life.
The only other time I've felt this proud to be a citizen of my counrty was after 9/11/2001. As Americans we supported each other and came together around a horrific event. We were incredibly patriotic, but we mourned and we questioned why such a thing could happen to our country. Then that pride and patriotism turned to fear and hatred. After 11/4/2008 (another date we will remeber forever) regardless of affiliation, Americans should feel the same sense of togetherness, the same sense of patriotism. Hopefully the two historic dates will mark the bookends in a troubled time. We were unsure about our future after 9/11, and we are probably more unsure about our future tonight.
As a person living in the U.S. under the age of 30 I naturally have a sense of optimism about the world. Until recent times all people in the U.S. from my generation ever really knew were times of peace and prosperity. Our generation sees the U.S. as a country that leads the world morally, economically, socially, in hope and in optimism. We've proved tonight that despite recent mis-steps our generation still sees the country this way. Even if we didn't get ourselves into this situation we believe that the solutions begin with us. We proved that we will not sit back and watch without taking action.
In his speech tonight the president-elect called it a rejection of "the myth of their generation's apathy."
Across the country voters of all ages didn't vote the way they did because of looks, race, personal agenda or failed policies in recent years. They did it because they saw a country they wanted to be a part of in a candidate who understands the problems of today.
Scanning the headlines tonight Americans have great cause to be optimistic, great cause to celebrate. We've taken a large step forward. Once again we've shown people everywhere what is possible. America has turned the page and taken on a new identity.
But before I am a citizen of the United States I am a citizen of the world. And as a citizen of both we have no choice but to come together. We have to take on the challenges of our time, and of our generation.
Tonight we haven't elected a president of our country, we've elected a world leader.
The next few years will tell us a lot about who we are as a country. If Americans fail to lead the way and address the problems facing us as a nation and a human race this election will only be a fleeting glimpse of what we're capable of. If we remain divided, fearful and negative we won't improve upon the world that was passed to us.
Despite our current problems and grim outlook I remain optimistic. As a member of my generation being optimistic is part of who we are and how we see ourselves in the world. I'm more proud than ever before because I expect more than the lowered expectations our country has come to stand for. I expect more from my generation. Like we did tonight as a country and a generation, we need to lead the world in taking steps forward to a more postive, peaceful and prosperous time.
