TOGETHER WE STAND

November 4th was a momentous empowering occasion for America no matter what your political views. It proved without a doubt, one could achieve their dreams with hard work. No matter what your political views, we should all join in celebrating the American Dream. Both candidates in their speeches, eloquently struck the right cords. It was a proud time to be an American.


In two years of gruelling campaigning, Barack has fended off personal attacks without blinking. Accused of being un-American, Obama responded with uncommon ease and no traces of anger. Barack redefined "never let them see you sweat". It was apparent while addressing a nation wrestling with a crippling economic collapse (a wavering market, that will hopefully gain strength with the security of a leader) and maintaining an iron strength during the debates, Obama remained calm and steadfast.


So, who is the real Obama, the man who could be the country's first black president?

Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961, the son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas who met at the University of Hawaii. He was to say later that they "weren't well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to."

His parents separated when he was 2 and were subsequently divorced. His mother remarried and moved to Indonesia, where Obama spent ages 6 through 10. He returned to Hawaii for high school, then went to Columbia University and Harvard law school, where he made headlines as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review - seen as a stepping stone to any number of career opportunities.

He had earlier worked in Chicago as a community organizer with a church-based group seeking to improve living conditions in poor neighborhoods. Practicing civil rights law back in Chicago after Harvard, Obama's advocacy work led him to run for the Illinois State Senate, where he served for eight years.

Obama's rise from obscure state legislator to presidential candidate was nothing short of meteoric. In 2004, as the Democratic nominee for a US Senate seat from Illinois, Obama got an unusual opportunity to deliver a prime-time address to the party's national convention.

In words that are now standard components of his presidential speech, Obama said: 'There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there's the United States of America.'

Although party leaders placed him on the podium simply to get more exposure for his Senate race, they were bowled over by his ability to command a crowd. My dear friend and early Obama supporter, John Gorman (R-Austin) often referred to Obama as a "Rock Star" and "Not since John Kennedy has there been such a following" Before long, Obama was recognized as THE speech maker on the Democratic party, cultivating a following that would soon urge him to bid for the presidency as the war in Iraq spiralled out of control.

His eloquence has always won him admirers - even the woman who was to become his wife in 1992, Michelle Obama, who was at first skeptical of the Harvard hotshot who came to intern in her high-power law firm in Chicago.

In early 2007, with mounting US casualties in Iraq eroding Republican fortunes, Obama formed a committee to explore his presidential bid, just days before Senator Hillary Clinton did the same.

For the first time in history, a black man and a woman would battle it out for their party's presidential nomination, a race that went to the bitter end in June, when Obama emerged the winner.

Obama leads in most polls against McCain, buoyed by financial uncertainty and his own reassuring presence that impressed admirers such as Colin Powell, the decorated retired four-star general, Bush's one-time secretary of state and one of the nation's leading Republican figures.

Endorsing Obama, Powell turned the tables on his own party, saying he was uneasy about McCain's erratic reactions during the finance crisis.

Powell, an African American, cited Obama's 'ability to inspire' and called him a 'transformational figure' who could bring about a 'generational change.'


I have to admit, this moved me. All Americans should celebrate the shedding of racism. This proves citizens should not judge a man by the color of his skin but his character. Congratulations to you, President elect Obama, First Lady Michelle and your beautiful girls.

This is a time where all Americans should band together and work to unite during this new beginning and fresh start.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!