Yeah, Baby!

Granted, this editorial animated cartoon is from Nov. 5, 2008, but I think today it's equally as apropos!

And if you want some good reading, go here and read what my buddy, Gunfighter, has to say to those in his past and any in the future who tell him he's a sell out to his people because he chose to use good grammar and standard English.

Yesterday, Mr. Obama was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and then at Calvin Coolidge H.S. as part of his day of service. Both of these are mere blocks from my home. We went out to see the president's (how cool is it that we can say that now?!) motorcade and the atmosphere was electric! For the first time in a long time, this city is pumped!

Finally, if you want to see some nice photos of events going on over the last few days and today, visit fellow photoblogger Juxtaexposed. And, in a bit of shameless self-promotion, check out my blog, too. (Although, I haven't posted nearly as many pictures as Juxta. As prolific as I can be with my camera, I've been overwhelmed by the emotion and excitement of the last few days and can't adequately capture the feeling. This is one of those moments in history where you have to see it and feel it to believe it.)

Editorial copyright: Ann Telnaes and the Washington Post Co.

Awesome

My friend, Phoebe, out in blue-state-Colorado, sent me this cartoon. I think that pretty much sums it up! The illustration below comes to me from my friend, Sylvia.* (Click on the images to enlarge.)



The Washington Post is running a three op-ed series called The Man of Tomorrow about the election of Barack Obama from the perspective of three individuals: a local writer and political analyst, a contributing editor for Atlantic magazine, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Here is The Man of Tomorrow: He Leapt the Tallest Barrier. What Does it Mean for America?, King Trusted White to Stand Up. Obama Showed Me He Was Right, and His Election Has Turned America's Global Image on its Head.


* Hm. Why does this look vaguely familiar? The only difference, I doubt a certain religious tribe will ever have a black leader. That would require a miracle from the Almighty Herself.

Impact, Part 2

Another story about the impact of this election in the lives of ordinary public servants. Here is A Butler Well Served by This Election.

And in the lives of ordinary black Americans, the election of Barack Obama opens the door to a new feeling of belonging. Here is Obama Victory Opens Door to a New Black Identity.

A brief comment on this article: It bothers me when I walk down the street, pass a black person and, rather than meeting my gaze and saying hello, they look down and only respond with a greeting if I greet them first. It bothers me not because I feel I need to be acknowledged. It bothers me because I sense an underlying feeling of inequality and that bugs me, because for me everyone is equal and I try to treat them thusly.

Since Tuesday, I've noticed a difference in the demeanor of many of my black neighbors. I'm noticing more of them are actually locking eyes with me and others and looking up. No longer are so many of them casting their eyes downward when they pass a white person. It is as if they are saying, "I can no longer be ignored and I will no longer be invisible." And to that I say, "Hoorah!"

The Boston Globe runs a beautiful series of 35 photos of our new president-elect. Here is the Big Picture.

And, this morning, my friend Alice over at Alice's Adventure's Underground sent me this article from Salon. The basic premise: Gen X'ers finally understand the passion of Baby Boomers. Here is A Gen X Response to Barack Obama: An Open Apology to Boomers Everywhere.

Finally, my friend Adriana, writer of What I Made for Dinner, writes about the effect of this election in her life. Here is The Audacity of Hope.

For someone who was going to stop doing round-ups once the election was over, I'm sure falling down on that, aren't I? Oh well.