I'm African-American and this is the first time I've ever voted for a non-white person

[BluegrassDem]

Simply amazing. I live in a small rural town, around 26,000. It's really overwhelming to me the idea that this will be the first time I cast a ballot for a black person and I'm black myself. I don't know if many other blacks on here share the same experience. In Kentucky, there has never been a black person to even so much as run statewide for anything. It's just going to be a special day for me and for our country. I'm so proud of Barack Obama. I know my vote won't matter much in Kentucky. Obama won't get our EV's, but that doesn't dampen my spirit. I'm just so happy to be alive and experiencing this historic moment for our country and the world! :patriot:

[deadparrot]

1. This white girl is right there with you.

Granted, this is my first presidential election, but rural Missouri (where my 2006 vote was cast) wasn't exactly Diversity Central.

Here's to an ecstatic Election Day! :toast:

[crim son]

2. Let me tell you congratulations.

I'm white and this is the first time I've voted for an African American and I am so very pleased and excited to be able to do so. It's HUGE, it's IMPORTANT, and it's WONDERFUL. :hug:

God, I'm so excited, BluegrassDem. :hug:

[BluegrassDem]

10. Yeah, this moment is just so historic!

I don't think we even realize the moment we're living in? I sometimes can't wrap my mind around all that has happened this year. This is my 5th presidential election, so I'm not that old. However, living where I live, this is my mother's first time voting for an African-American. It's not something we really thought about until Obama ran. Of course, that's not the reason I'm voting for him, but still, the moment is so special for me.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. EVERY vote counts!!!

[JI7]

4. i wonder what percentage of the population this is true of

that it's the first time a minority was even on the ballot for them .

[Kaleko]

5. And not only that, you've also voted for a most exceptional leader.

It boggles the mind.

[Robeson]

6. Your vote counts. Don't ever think it doesn't...

...:hug:

[liberalmuse]

7. You vote DOES matter!

Especially for the popular vote. You might just turn Kentucky a lovely shade of purple!

I had lived in Utah for quite a few years, and always felt my vote somehow mattered in the whole scheme of things. I've never voted for a black person, either until last week. That is amazing to me as well--well, because I've lived in many other places besides Utah, and you'd think there would be more diversity on our election tickets. I've voted for Hispanic persons, so I have voted for non-white persons (in Vegas).

I'm excited because Barack Obama reminds me so much of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King. I used to watch documentaries and feel a pang of sadness that my generation did not have great leaders like that, and lo and behold, along comes Barack Obama. I knew after listening to the man four years ago that he would one day be President, but not four years later! These are exciting times.

[lyonn]

8. So happy for you!!

I will do the same tomorrow. Since I live in Okla. it won't matter except to me! I will vote to replace Rep. Cole and Senator Inhofe, yippee. Being white and voting for Obama can't be Nearly as exciting as it will be for you. Again, love it that you got this chance along with millions of others. Your day has Finally come and it's about time. Let's hope we get what we voted for.....

[jazzjunkysue]

9. As a kid, I remember the first TV shows that starred blacks: Diane Carroll

She was gorgeous and they took the character seriously. I don't remember how long the show ran, but people were stunned by it.

Also, the Jackson 5. Honestly, they really reached everyone, and they didn't act all mickey mouse. They did it with style.

Ray Charles was loved by the older crowd and the informed music crowd, but not middle america, and really not young america.

Even Cosby broke ground, by escaping the stereotypes. All these things mattered.

And here we are.

Congratulations. This is a beautiful day for our whole country.

I'm finally proud! Haven't felt that in 8 years.

[LearnedHand]

11. Amen to that! (k&r)

I figured I'd get to vote for extra-terrestrials before I ever got to vote for a non-white human candidate who had a good shot at being our next president. What an honor and a privilege to be part of this historic moment.

[Ernesto]

12. A DUer laid this one on me about a month ago.....

Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXvKRZRofDE

[4_Legs_Good]

13. /salute

Wow! What an amazing thought.

Man am I proud of Barack Obama and all of America.

We're heading into a great new age!

David

[graycem]

14. He won't get Texas either probably...

but, it will help his popular vote and the political capital that goes with it. Every single vote counts. :)

[BluegrassDem]

17. Texas and Kentucky...

Boy, we only got the popular vote to help us out! It's so unfortunate cause Kentucky has voted Dem recently. Oh well, at least I'll play a part in ridding the country of Mitch McConnell!!!! :evilgrin:

[kestrel91316]

15. We have had the opportunity to vote for lots of blacks in SoCal

over the years. I voted for our mayor Tom Bradley, of course. There have been some for more local offices, but nobody MAJOR. This is really a watershed moment for most of us, I think.

And Obama is far and away the most qualified presidential candidate to come along in YEARS. He's a constitutional scholar, for pete's sake. And so is Biden. Talk about the Dynamic Duo!!!!

[Hekate]

16. I guess this is going to be a teary night for me already. As a Californian/formerly Hawai'i...

... voting for non-white candidates seems routine, but Barack Obama is anything but. He is a once in a generation candidate, and you and I are here to vote for him and witness to living in this time.

I'm so happy for you, a black person -- and so happy for me, a white person. :hug:

Hekate

[TygrBright]

18. Thanks for sharing your happiness and pride!

I, too, have been waiting for this moment all my life. Now that you point it out to me I realize I have never lived anywhere where I've had that opportunity, either. You don't notice it as much, being white.

But THIS one. Dang, THIS one I'm noticing. Every bit of it. It feels like... being reborn into the world I SHOULD have been born into!

renascently,
Bright

[Morning Dew]

19. Congratulations!

I haven't had many opportunities to vote for non-white candidates but I did get to help elect the country's first Muslim Congressman, Keith Ellison, who also happens to be African American - AND I get to very proudly cast my ballot for his re-election.

[Omnibus]

20. I'm a white guy...

..and this is the first time I've voted for a non-white person for any federal office.

And it feels GOOOOOOOOD!




That's what America is all about, baby!

[SweetieD]

21. Come to think of it me too. I'm black and this is my first vote cast for a black political candidate

I never thought about it before.

[Booster]

22. I'm so very proud also of Barack Obama and I'm proud of you.

I'm sitting here alone and weeping softly - this election has simply exhausted me. I'm white and I'm sorry it took us so long to get to this point. I'm also very proud of the South; maybe, just maybe, this time we really have taken a huge step forward to peace in our own land - I hope so. I don't pray, but I'm going to be hoping everyday that the Secret Service takes care of Obama like he was one of their very own children. I am overwhelmed by the thought of how proud black people must feel, and I share that pride with you. Your vote certainly matters to me no matter what happens in Kentucky.:loveya:

[Enthusiast]

23. You must be a rare 'reverse racist'.

:sarcasm: :rofl: :sarcasm: :rofl: :patriot: :headbang: :loveya: :beer: :party: :toast:

[Skidmore]

24. Will be casting my vote today in my village with equal joy.

My husband is African-American and he can't wait to get off of work today to come to the polls to vote.

I have hope that this nation can get past the test of skin color to realize that the soul has no color and we all bleed red.

[agentS]

26. Bring a sandwich and a drink

Those lines, at least on TV, seem rrreeeeaaaaallllllyyyyy lloooonnnnngggg.

On second thought, bring the Sudoku book and extra batteries for the mp3/FM player. This will take a while.

[Skidmore]

28. I'm leaving for the polls in 5 minutes and I will vote first right after the polls open

then I'll be pollwatching until they close. I'm taking a book and an FM player and I'll be back around 10 pm.

[shaniqua6392]

25. It is a great day in America!!

I am so happy for all of us.

[Doityourself]

27. I'm AA too..it's the first I've voted for a non-white for President!!!

[KitSileya]

29. You never know - one day your neighbors may get to vote for you!

If there's never been any black people running for office where you live, it's high time that changed. So let this election be an inspiration to make sure that in 2010, and 2112, and every other year after that there will be minority candidates on your ballot - even if you have to stand for election yourself. This is the beginning of the change, the change hasn't finished when an African American man is sworn in as President - that's just the beginning!

[Window]

30. I so feel you on this. Since waking this morning, I've been alternately yelling

with joy and crying with the enormity of this vote I'll be casting for Barack H. Obama shortly.