New Attitude '08

I believe Obama has such pressures on him to help every American, to be an excellent successful Black President, to not be so liberal. Times are always best when the government is split, not majority one party: when President is one party and the Senate is another.

I like Obama, I voted for him. I was never obsessed and star struck like many others; I never wore a pin or a T-shirt. I did not follow him from the beginning of his campaign. Idolizing anyone always seems to end in downfall because people are, in fact, human. I know that there will be moments of him disappointing me entirely. But I did cheer in Union Sq. at 1:30 in the morning with hundreds of other young people. You might consider me a flip-flopper – neutral until someone wins, then I join that side. No. I cheered for the revolution: intellectualism, awareness, participation, strength against adversity, progression. I cheered for the passion that everyone felt.

I think what Obama has started is a world of passion – people stood on the street fundraising and invested themselves in this candidate – and now should hold him accountable. Citizens need to understand that participation goes beyond voting – but goes into writing letters to congress, attending events with community orgs, taking to the streets when we are upset OR happy with a decision that the government made. We need to not be apathetic. I believe Obama convinced people to believe, not only in him but themselves and the change we can create.

I am upset that people are saying “yes we did!” – claiming that our fight is over, we did it. We took a first step, but we need to keep in the present and remember that there is still lot that needs to be done – that CAN be done. Yes we can – and we should, and we will. Just because is he in office, doesn’t mean that racism is over, or opposition will not become stronger (the conservatives might push even harder now, trying to end this liberal regime. Every move made will be spun, and we need to be aware of the spin that is being taken by the media.) We need to continue this awareness and passion with a critical eye.

It’s not all up to Obama. He is not the ultimate change. Change is 10% what happens, and 90% the way you react to it. Let us continue that faith and action towards what we want to see and realize it’s in us, not only Obama.