An article in the Washington Post On Faith section in response to their question: What does the election of Barack Obama as president say about America? What does it say to the world?
The phrase in my title comes from an ABC News reporter gazing out over the throng in Times Square last night, trying to describe their mood. There was communal joy over the election of Barack Obama but also a physical sense of release amounting to a national convulsion. For me, this sudden moment of liberation was caught in random overheard comments rather than grand declarations.
From a black woman in one of the crowds who was asked to reflect on the fact that America was born as a slave-owning country: "That stain is washed away now."
From Bernard-Henri Levi, French intellectual and America-watcher: "Junk politics and immorality have come to an end."
There were silent comments, as eloquent as the spoken ones: a black mother and daughter, knees crumpling, as they watched a Jumbotron image showing all 44 American presidents, everyone white except for the man in the middle, our President-elect.
The most sober comment came from Obama himself, when he pointed out that his win wasn’t the change the country is seeking but only the chance for change. Happily, he’s wrong in several regards. We will see immediate change globally. The rest of the world breathed a sigh of relief at the end of the neocons’ attempt to create an American military empire.
In the end, the most moving comment came from Sen. John McCain in his concession speech. Like all the candidates who have stood for the Republican cause since the Reagan revolution, McCain couldn’t resist the temptation to employ "junk politics and immorality" in his campaign. But he went out honorably by saying that America "isn’t a country that hides from history." That hasn’t been true for the past eight years. Let’s hope it’s gloriously true from now on.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/deepak_chopra/
Amen. I have watched the MSNBC announcement of the Obama victory followed by several minutes of the sights and sounds of two hundred thousand euphoric people in Grant Park and it still moves me to tears each time.
The election of Obama for president of theUnited States of America, says Volums.
First and foremost it is eveidence against the charge by many, within this country, of racism. He could not even have made it to the primaries, nevermind win them, without the white vote.
And then to be elected by a very good margin, because of the white vote… I have always been proud to be an American, and the American process is just one reason.
That is one thing it says oh so loudly. But what it will say over the next four years depends on Obama. The people have spoken, and acted, now it is Obamaa's turn.
A new history book, pages still blank, await Obamaa's legacy, that only he can determine.
My prayers and good wishes are with him and the United States of America.
Love and peace,
Razz
Volumns!
We need an edit button on this web site.
Dear Deepak,
I think one word to describe might be Catharsis as both cause and effect.
In my brief conversation with the President Elect he indicated support for the (R)evolution and would study the material provided to help bring it about.
This revolution is about to go into full swing much to dismay of those few that benefit disproportionally from the current system of things and depend on fiction not truth for the creation of their wealth and the obtainment of ill gotten gains.
It will be a delight to the many that have suffered detriment as a result of the current system of things and I expect strong support from them to usher in the new system of things.
To the individuals of the various professions, industries, and institutions I suggest they embrace the truth and make the changes before it is embraced for them.
I live with the hope it means that we have collectively identified our national “shadow” and began to embrace it as a part of who we are, freeing energy to now be used creatively and lovingly.
People want change, this is certain, the change they need is perhaps different from the change they think they need. Perhaps the change they need is a change in the status quo. The monetary economics need to change and resource economics need to replace the current system… the human spirit is strong when not blindsided by the theatre of life. Materialism, wealth success, stress, etc… Religion and Politics do not provide solutions, only technology can. People need to evolve and get away from the current status quo. Big Business is failing and enslaving the world . The current system runs on the poverty of the world. One percent of the world has over 40% of the wealth and this one percent has given us Bush, Clinton, Bush jr., and now Obama… The individual must see the need for personal change , and be motivated to change, and act to make the changes…Thus perhaps the vote for Obama represents the desire for change , and at least Obama can be catalyst for the change.
We are happy and hopefull it is Obama. Celebretion over. Now,the cold hard realities ahead. Messed up economy, rot in the System, battered US image to mention a few of the challenges ahead.
The legecy of Bush has made the world suspicious of the US, erroded cofidence of her might, stands isoleted in the global arena.
Not to sound negetive (personally I am a big supporter Obama) time is running out, Obama has to deliver sure and fast. The world is watching him closely, a little impatiently. We are hopefull. God bless Obama!
V C