I have realized lately, as my good friend Maggie and I discussed, that I have never been in a situation, in my entire life, where I was excited about government or a time where I found myself within the majority opinion. Since I was old enough to understand, all I have ever known is the Bush Administration and it is such an incredible feeling to feel a part of a larger group that feels the same. We will fight poverty, together; we will fight against those destroying the environment together; we will finish these wars and take care of the brave now fighting when they return home, together; we will make sure that all citizens have health care available to them, together; we will fight for civil rights and equality, together; we will better our education system and take better care of our educators, together; we will use diplomacy to communicate with the rest of the world and restore our global legitimacy, together. And this includes those who did not vote for our now president-elect as well, any Christian, Muslim, Jew, Atheist, Gay, Straight, Black, White, Hispanic, Poor, Rich, Republican, Democrat, Male, Female, Old, Young person, because I feel most of these issues are concerns for every single person on the face of this planet.
I know that this may seem cheesy to some, but now I am willing to work and fight and try because I feel that I can. It will not be easy and I know that all I am hoping to accomplish will not happen immediately, but eventually. I will leave you with this:
“We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will
only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been
asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against
offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been
anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible
odds; when we've been told that we're not ready, or that we shouldn't
try, or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a
simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people, Yes we can.
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the
destiny of a nation, Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail
toward freedom through the darkest of nights, Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and
pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness, Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the
ballot; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality. Yes we can to opportunity and
prosperity. Yes we can heal this nation. Yes we can repair this
world. Yes we can.
And we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we
are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people;
we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter
in America's story with three words that will ring from coast to
coast; from sea to shining sea - Yes. We. Can.”
