A Political Autobiography

[wintermute84]

As I sat among new friends, watching the drama of election night unfold, I became very attuned to the emotional investments of those around me in the outcome. I've only been eligible to vote in two presidential elections so far, and neither of them have led to the same sort of devotion or dedication that I witnessed on Tuesday

Comments

[amberash]

Your post touched a nerve and resonated.

My public administration prof told me, 'There's not much a leader can do in America because the system in place has been institutionalised and democracy is already mature. However, in Asia, it is different. The leader changes the political climate'.

I can't understand why people cry because a black man is a president. It might have different connotations and meanings to it, but somehow words become cheap when they reduce it to race.

[wintermute84]

I think your prof is right. There are powerful forces already intermixed into America's democracy, and no single leader can remove or overcome those forces. Although I don't think you can easily dismiss the significance of America's first minority president. For those who have been the victim of racism, it's an indication that Americans have continued to make some significant progress since the Civil Rights movements of the 1960's.

Even still, I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like his election itself isn't enough to change the world. He's going to disappoint a lot of people if he doesn't fulfill at least some of his grand promises. That hopeful bunch needs skeptics like us to hold him to his word.