New Hope, New Americanism

Only moments ago came the announcement; Senator Barack Obama is projected to carry the day for the United States Presidency. We watch the sea of faces on our television, and realize that, as white Americans, we cannot possibly internalize the same feeling that millions of African Americans now are experiencing.

It was more than 40 years ago that this writer first dabbled in political activities. As a member of fledgling Students for a Democratic Society, our focus was two-fold; we joined forces with Civil Rights workers in Chicago while we supported the growing anti-war movement.

Proud as we may be of that participation, it cannot compare to the new pride we feel at this moment. Despite many advantages in the intervening years, we view this moment as proof that there truly is such a thing as the American Dream.