Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Inspiration and fast food

I don't know if there is much that I can say about last night that won't have been already spoken.



I joked around on the phone with an American friend that the little election pizza, beer and CNN party was merely us being "just another group of opinionated Canadians". However, despite the fact that this is not my election, I will be damned if I didn't feel a swell of pride as Barack Obama stood before a crowd, uttering the words "Yes we can" with utter conviction. People had real hope in their eyes again.

I'm sure we all heard the cliche that tonight, history was made. However, I received an email from a Black friend today that really drove this home-- he said that he woke up this morning, and the thought that there may actually be an African-American president made him want to cry, as ten years ago, he would have never expected this to even be a possibility in his lifetime. How phenomenal for this to have been proven wrong.

(I also learned today that my mega-crush, Jon Stewart, has hairier knuckles than expected. I would just make him wear gloves.)

Rather than belabour the point any further (and, as I write this, I am still anxiously awaiting the results of Proposition 8, the results of which may diminish some of rose colours on my glasses), I will direct you to a delightfully non-political and comical post I wrote over in the land of Libby of In This Skin about why your job is nowhere near as horrible as my first (fast-food) job. It has tales of grease, polyester and maltreatment. You know you want to click.

21 comments:

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

I think this election means the world for the U.S., but also means the U.S. will be prepared to work with the world again. You absolutely have every right to feel that this election matters.

However, we all have a lot of work to do. Things do not bode well on Prop 8 ... and a number of other states have passed similar provisions.

dmb5_libra said...

gloves can be sexy

Arielle said...

No good news on prop 8 today. =(

Abbey said...

I love that you can overlook Stewart's flaws with something as simple as gloves.

I also love the Candians' love of US politics. In general, you guys are way more knowledgeable than I am.

Anonymous said...

Hahah, good guest post! About three years ago I sold shoes at a department store, and whenever I have a bad day at my current job I always tell myself, "It's still beats selling shoes!"

Mandy said...

I love that so many of my Canadian blogger friends are so invested in the US political system. I agree with Nilsa, we may have come a long way, but based on Prop. 8 we still have a long way to go.

Anonymous said...

Amazing, isn't it? To think that it wasn't long ago this country was fighting for civil rights and now we're electing an African American to the Presidential office. Ahh. Wonderful.

Of course, Americans can only do so much good at once -- all the Same Sex Marriage propositions passed.

Ant said...

Everyone's invested in this. And the result is fantastic.

I've espoused my theory on more than one blog today that everyone in the world should have a say in who the next American president is.

And finally...

Jon Stewart?! Isn't he a bit of a twat?

Tonya said...

of course on one hand i'm thrilled. you know i overlooked the fact that he's black this entire election, which really drives home MLK's statement about overlooking the color of one's skin and judging them on the content of their character. He was the better candidate. of course i'm thrilled though at the social progression, but of course sad that prop 8 is passing. i just don't get it.

KA said...

TWo years ago we said America wasn't ready for a black president. Apparently, we were just waiting for the RIGHT black president.

Anonymous said...

"I think this election means the world for the U.S., but also means the U.S. will be prepared to work with the world again. You absolutely have every right to feel that this election matters."

I couldn't have said it better!

Crushed said...

I have been in such a good mood all day.

I did have slight doubts it could happen, but he's done it, he's won, and the world is a better place for it.

P said...

I actually didn't realise just how much I wanted Obama to win until last night. I can't believe how happy I am about it.

And I think McCain was a very sporting loser about it too.

Matt said...

Oh working for a fast food chain is never a good thing.

Katelin said...

i think it's awesome and crazy how our election is everywhere and even non-americans can have pride in something so momentous. i love it.

Anonymous said...

People a lot further away than Canada are feeling invested in this election.
Over here in NZ, we have our own election on Saturday, but people were so invested in the US elections that no one thought about national politics much last night.
Now fingers crossed that NZers are feeling as liberal as our US counterparts!

captain corky said...

I read your other post and I don't know, because Captain Corky looks amazing in polyester.

Yoda said...

"Bush screwed up so bad, that a black man became Prez!"

It was politically correct only because a black friend of mine said it.

Anonymous said...

This election was historic and even tho I voted for McCain I am so proud to be an American and support Obama in all his endeavors

Mrs4444 said...

I'm good with Obama being president, even though I did not vote for him. I've been reading some scary stuff, though, about the reactions of African Americans in inner cities; kind of alarming. I hope it all settles down and we can forget color and respect the man for WHO he is and not what color he is.

We had company from Canada a few weeks ago, and they were fascinated to talk about politics; I enjoyed it. I wish our elections were as quick as they are in Canada!

Therapeutic Ramblings said...

(been catching up on your blog over the last 2ish months...has it been that long?!!)

Anyhow...I hope for our (the world's) sake, he can mend some of the bridges we've burned in the past decade.