America elected a black president. The election was yesterday and I still find it hard to believe that we finally have some proof that America has changed, evolved, grown for the better. This is a country that had slavery as one of the pillars that it was founded on and now we have elected a president that doesn’t fit the white old man sterotype. For the first time in my life I am completely proud to call myself an American. Were I to travel to another country tomorrow I would find myself saying with complete ease, “Of course I’m an American.”
Patriotism is something that I have rarely experienced and when I have, the catalyst has never been positive. 9/11 really brought the country together and during that time, young though I was, I would have considered myself a patriot. However, other than that, I can’t remember a time that I have had total dedication and love for my country. Seeing Barack Obama take the stage and deliver one of the most powerful speeches I can remember gave me a sense of pride like I have never felt before. Seeing Barack Obama take the stage gave me hope and will continue to give me hope in the American people. Finally, we have proof that we aren’t standing in the past with glazed looks. Instead, we are looking ahead at the future, one that is full of promise, hope and unity. I am proud to be an American.
