Comments on: I Cried at the Announcement of Obama’s Election

By: Paul Dettman

Paul Dettman — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:15:05 +0000

Go America! The truth is we really don't understand America where I'm from – we think we do, but only because we share a language. At no time in the last 50 years could this story have happened in Britain, and yet we still suffer from racism at the highest levels of society. Only recently our leading police officer resigned, partly due to his role in racist behvaiour inside London's police force. Obama can't change the world, but he will certainly knock off a few rought edges.

By: Ann Handley

Ann Handley — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:16:07 +0000

What a great story, Cheryl. And I cried too.

My kids were a little confused about why, exactly… but I think with time they’ll understand the fuller picture.

By: Mary E. DeMuth

Mary E. DeMuth — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:30:07 +0000

Beautiful post. And so well put.

By: BGreen

BGreen — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:55:17 +0000

Your post was beautiful, Cheryl! I was crying with you, watching as I remembered my grandmother in her card

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:12:27 +0000

Thank you!
I too have had many experiences with racism and today I am heartbroken that so many “christians” are so “un-Christ-like”. I too cried when I heard his acceptance speech. I cried when I read this post. I cried when I thought of what I want Kaileigh to remember. I want her to know a country that ANYONE can do ANYTHING, color does not measure your greatness, great people have sacrificed family, limb and life for her freedom. I want her to know that regardless of which side of the aisle we sit on we are all brothers and sisters. We are AMERICANS!

We attended an election watch party and she kept saying over and over again “this is the best party ever!” Of course to her it was just a bunch of people clapping and screaming because “Barackstar” was on TV, but the true sentiment of the night will be forever engaved on my mind’s eye as one of the greatest moments in history–and I took part of it.

I am incredibly proud of Obama and our country, but heartbroken by the people and institution she loves so much.

By: karla

karla — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:01:34 +0000

I invited my 5th grade 10-year-old son to see for himself when the news program we were watching showed the projected electoral votes ticker past 270. Didn’t tell him what to watch for and it was so neat to watch him jump up and cheer when he put it together in his mind. Then we invited him back out of bed (again!) to watch the historic acceptance speech. (11pm local time; his usual school night bedtime=9pm.) It’s something I believe he’ll never forget. What an amazing and exciting time to be an American!

By: Jennifer Mills

Jennifer Mills — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:47:02 +0000

I guess I haven’t really thought about this election having to do with civil rights – I don’t look at Obama as a black man but as a politician who will threaten the livelihood of my small business. I think it is important – though – that I try and see past his policies and see it as a historic day for celebration. I think that maybe if it had been a woman who won the presidency… I would have looked at things differently.

By: Cheryl Smith

Cheryl Smith — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:38:10 +0000

Thanks Rick!

By: Rick Wolff

Rick Wolff — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:15:04 +0000

Here’s a gift for you. I didn’t draw it. I wish I had. http://www.patrickmoberg.com/november-4-2008.jpg

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:13:57 +0000

Oh, Cheryl, thank you so much for sharing this very personal experience you’ve had with racism in our country. I grew up in an area where everyone was white. Going to college in a large urban setting was a real eye opener to the diversity that we have in this world (I just didn’t see much as a kid). Today we live in an area that is predominantly white middle class America. And I worry – are my own kids seeing enough cultural diversity in their lives? Sure, there is some (more than when I grew up) – but still very limited. I don’t want them to ever have an issue with someone just because of their skin color.

Hearing your story is heart-breaking, and yet it’s also uplifting. It’s uplifting in that you came from a family that accepted people of different skin color – at a time when that was not as easy as it is today.

Thanks again, Cheryl, for sharing your story – and reminding us where we’ve come from…