Meridian Star - Looking for the silver lining

Thu, Jan 08 2009

Published: November 16, 2008 01:49 am

Looking for the silver lining

I'd like to start this letter by stating to all that I cared neither for McCain OR Obama in this year's election. Even with all of the election coverage and all that I had read and listened to, I was one of the 1% that arrived at the polls on Tuesday as an "undecided". That being said, I eventually "voted my conscience" and cast a vote for McCain. Although I do not espouse to all of his beliefs (I liken myself to being a Libertarian these days), I did find myself yearning for the comfort that his experience brings to the table as opposed to the inexperience of his opponent.

Like many Americans I was glued to the television Tuesday night with hope for my selected candidate but also because I just couldn't wait for this election to finally be over. I actually found it less appealing than the Bush/Gore battle for the Whitehouse that played out in the courtrooms in 2000. And like many Americans after the election was called, I went to bed frustrated. But on Wednesday I found myself renewed. Hopeful even and here's why.

I live in a state with a very high black population and there have been many, many times that I have heard black Americans say, "a black person doesn't stand a chance", "a black man can't get a leg up in this country" or (my personal favorite), "black people have no one to represent them." Those days are gone. Over. To those that believe (black, white, hispanic or other), that you can't ever get ahead and reach your fullest potential because of the color of your skin, I challenge you to pull your pants up to your waist, look in the mirror and say, "I can".

No more excuses. The glass ceiling has been broken. There is finally someone to represent you and he holds the most powerful position in the world. NOT the country ... the world. I may not like him but I will support him. Because if he fails, we all fail.

And the world is watching.

A.F. Neal

Meridian