This election is making me emo. [View All]

[Madrone]

I'm a late comer to the Obama hype. Not that I have anything against Obama, just that after 2000, then 2004 I've become SO cynical. I have no faith in Americans, their intelligence, their compassion, their ability (or willingness) to think....

I have an Obama/Biden sticker on my car in an area where you wouldn't even guess there was an election going ON. Definitely a more conservative area - but there are not even any McCain signs or stickers around. The owners of the small company I work at love Bush - and I'd be shocked if they didn't think McCain/Palin was the most awesome thing EVER. After 8 years of mob rule I feel like I can't speak out and say what's on my mind anymore - the Bush cultists have called me a terrorist, un-american, and a million other vile things for being a proud progressive individual. I put that sticker on my car almost a week ago. I feel like I'm "bad" for having it - after being tormented by the nutters for 8 years. I've decided, however, that I'm not going to be afraid to stand up for what I know is RIGHT. I'm an American that has a right to my beliefs - even if it may get my car keyed or the windows in my home broken out. I refuse to be afraid. They can BRING IT. And my car, with it's Obama/Biden sticker parks right in front of my office every day. I refuse to be scared to demonstrate my support in front of people that have been happy to rub my face in THEIRS for 8 years.

And my emotions are starting to come out. After the vileness I've faced (not necessarily personally) and suffered through for 8 years, and listening to angry, hateful people talk about me and people like me - there's now a very good chance I'll have someone that represents ME and cares about ALL of us in the White House. I find myself welling up more and more the last couple of days.

Today when I went to lunch the radio in the car came on and the song playing was Young Jeezy - My President Is Black. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=donoy6QvRvk I cried. I cried for a lot of things - for the hope that I feel, the sadness for everything our country has endured over the last 8 years, the fear they'll subvert democracy once again, and the pride I feel for taking part in history by voting for the first black president of the United States.

Then I came home and found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxlwYP0HNdc More tears. The kids in the video are singing a song that shows no bias whatsoever - but I see their faces and their joy and I think how AMAZING it is that they see a real example of their worth and what they can accomplish in a country that hasn't been known for it's stewardship of them. I understand Michelle Obama and her meaning about being proud to be an American for the first time in her adult life. I'm a 36 year old white woman, and I feel it too.

Feel it in a way that I find keeps bringing me to tears.

Election night is going to be an emotional wringer - I've already asked for the day after off. And I can't wait.