President Elect Barack Obama

November 4, 2008 @ 11:00pm est the United States of America elected the 44th president of our union. The peoples choice was former Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
This years election was of historic proportion because Senator Obama is the 1st Black President elected in the history of the United States. With the world watching, millions of people were hoping and praying that this great nation would get it right. When you look at the 200,000 + people assembled in Chicago's Grant Park and the thousands of people in the streets of Harlem, New York and on the campus of our Historic Black Colleges and Universities as well as the street of sunny California, one can say we got it right. The pictures of white, black and brown persons side by side with tears in their eyes hugging each other and celebrating was a sight to see. Looking at the crowds celebrating reminded me of how European countries celebrate their elections. The people are engaged, they understand the importance of getting the right political representation in office and they remain integrated in the process and the politics.
The United States, as a relatively young nation, is on the horizon of this paradigm change in how our citizens engage in the political process. No longer can we sit down and think that it is someone elses problem. We must get involved, stay involved, be engaged, mobilize, speak out, debate and hold accountable our elected officials for the direction of our country.
As an African American I am excited about what I witnessed on November the 4th beginning at 7:45am when I first arrived at my polling location. For the first time since I have been able to vote I had to wait in line. My wait was 1-1/2 hours but I did not mind. There was a sense of community and excitement that I had never experienced before. There was laughter and discussion from people from all walks of life. After the polls closed and the results began to come in the mustard seed of hope began to grow and at 11:00pm it blossomed into a wonderful beautiful mosaic.
So, Yes We Can and Yes We Did....now the true work begins.
In the days and months ahead, continue to keep President Elect Obama and his family in your prayers as well as our country. There is a lot of healing that needs to occur in our nation and there are many crisis's on the political front. We must remember that President Elect Obama is still just a man and there is only so much that he can do but with God all things are possible.
God Bless Everyone!!

Peace,
Mishca R. Smith