November 4/5 2008

Yesterday I fell in love. His name is Obama and he is carrying the hope of the world on his shoulders. I spent yesterday morning glued to the TV watching the numbers tick away at the bottom of CNN’s screen. I’m still not sure how they made the leap from 207 electoral college votes to “Obama elected president” in several seconds, but it wasn’t an error and the decision stuck. No recounts, no hanging chads. I let out a cheer, no doubt startling whoever was doing dishes or laundry at the communal fountain outside my bedroom window. The speeches came shortly afterwards, and I was touched by McCain’s concession. It seems to me that he has more integrity in his little finger than the current president has in his entire administration.

Then Barack Obama took the stage. His face is defined by a gentleness and an almost child-like quality. He spoke beautifully and eloquently about an America that everyone wants to see. He instilled a fresh hope in the people of his country and around the world. Listening to him I could believe that we have seen the last of a government motivated by greed, and are welcoming a new one motivated by love, compassion and a sense of duty towards humanity and our environment. I heard the speech several times yesterday, and was repeatedly struck not only by the content but by the delivery. This man is a true orator.

I understand that Obama’s race is of huge significance. But for me, the fact that he is African-American is of no consequence. He is a good man and I believe he will be a good president. I look forward to a day when attributes such as gender and colour do not factor into a campaign.

My greatest surprise was the shift in my attitude towards America and its citizens. I have many friends and extended family members in the US and I love them all. Virtually all of the Americans I have met travelling have been Democrats and we shared a common disgust with their government. (The sole exception was a young Korean-American man I shared an airport shuttle with in Bangkok. The son of immigrant parents, he startled me by introducing himself with a thick Texan drawl.) As much as I love the Americans I know individually, I had developed a lack of respect for the American population as a whole. This isn’t something I’m proud of – I try my best to eschew prejudices of all kinds. But I just couldn’t understand or support an entire society that would re-elect George W. Bush. Yesterday America chose a government they can be proud of, and in so doing showed the world that its population is worthy of our respect.

Last night I attended an Obama victory party hosted by the Nepal chapter of Democrats Abroad. I received the invitation several days prior to the election, so I assumed that there was considerable optimism within that camp. In speaking with party-goers, I found that this wasn’t necessarily the case – many of them had been sitting on pins and needles that morning. While I’m not one to plaster my luggage with Canadian flags, I have typically tried to ensure that my fellow travellers are aware of my nationality. I didn’t want to be perceived to be associated with the government of the US in any way. But last night at the party I gladly stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the American community in Nepal as some high school students sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” in beautiful harmony. I was proud of them and for them. I only confessed to being a Canadian because I felt it unfair to accept congratulations for a victory to which I did not contribute.

Living abroad for much of the last two years has made me understand how far-reaching the consequences of this election are. This wasn’t just about America, but will affect lives around the world. I feel a renewed hope for America and for the world in general. Based on the reactions I witnessed in the media yesterday, I can only assume that I’m not alone in this. I know that I join people all over the world in placing far too heavy a load on the shoulders of one man. I am worried that the rigors and reality of life in Washington will erode the ideology and spirit of the US president-elect. I fear that some rogue racist will succeed in cutting short the life of this pioneer as they have done for so many pioneers before him. But for now, I’m in love and I’m going to enjoy the honeymoon.