The afiivé Group – President Elect: Barack Obama

November 5, 2008 Posted by Lola in Headlines

President Elect: Barack Obama

This is so surreal.

Three years ago, even two years ago, no one could have predicted what happened last night.

I am still basking in the reality that anything is possible but wanted to give a few takeaways about this historic time.

1. First and foremost, and I think everyone will agree - there is absolutely nothing that isn't possible. the limitations and the barriers that prevented so many people in the past - black or white, male or female, young or old- are a thing of the past. If you work hard (sometimes for two years straight!) and believe- you can achieve. Period, point blank, end of story.

2. While this is HISTORIC for African-Americans across the globe, its important to note this isn't a win just for black people. It wasn't only black people that made their voices heard yesterday and voted for hope rather than fear. White people, brown people, Asians, Hispanics, Gay, Straight, Republican, Independent, New Englanders, Southerners, Rich People, Poor People, Evangelical Christians, Baptists, YOUNG people and OLD people made the difference yesterday. People from all walks of life stood in those lines, got people registered, volunteered, donated their money and put their faith in the democratic system. Regardless of who you were rooting for - you should be proud. America - with its participation in this election - made a statement - Loud and Clear.

For the rest of my life, when someone says something can't be done, my simple response will be - "November 4, 2008. There are no more impossibilities."

Best Quotes from Around the World:

"As a black British woman, I can't believe that America has voted in a black president. It makes me feel like there is a future that includes all of us."

Jackie Humphries, 49, a librarian who partied with 1,500 people at the U.S. Embassy in London Tuesday night.

"Americans overcame the racial divide and elected Obama because they wanted the real thing: a candidate who spoke from the bottom of his heart. I think this means the United States can go back to being admired as the country of dreams."

Terumi Hino, a photographer and painter in Tokyo.

"Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place."

Nelson Mandela

"We have a new spring in our walk and our shoulders are straighter."

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

"The United States has given a lesson, a lesson in maturity and a lesson in democracy. The essential considerations that prevailed were really the considerations of a man who had a program."

Amadou Toure, President of Mali