Shannon KeoughAs news reporters relayed the message to all the anxious viewers that Barack Obama was elected to be the 44th President of the United States, I heard cheers throughout campus.
We, as a nation, should feel so privileged to be alive during a period of time when history is being made right in front of our eyes.
Obama, being the first African-American president, is allowing everyone to realize it isn’t about the color of your skin, it is about your belief on different issues and your character that makes a person who they are. Personally, I was so enthused by Obama winning the election and I feel like there will be great changes to come.
Quickly, my enthusiasm was shattered when I logged into Facebook, and saw the status’ of my fellow peers. I saw statements that were so cruel and vulgar; it was very disheartening that people my age are filled with so much hate.
People were posting how they want to move out of America. Those who feel as though they need to leave, the country because of the newly elected president should really do so. By saying they want to leave they are not standing behind America, the land of the free.
Others were bashing Obama because the color of his skin. It is 2008, you would think by now people would get over the racism factor and vote for the person who would make the best president.
Our country is in a big mess right now with the economic crisis and the war in Iraq, we should feel blessed with someone who is looking to make a difference and make a change.
People shouldn’t be so negative because of the color of his skin or bitter because John McCain didn’t win.
I thought to myself, if people my generation were making such offensive statements on a Web site, I couldn’t imagine the threats and racism being displayed by other age groups. This is the time where America should come together as a nation and be excited about new changes and a brighter future.
It is time everyone looks beyond the color of one’s skin and looks forward for what is best for our future. In the end, the best man for the job won. That isn’t a personal opinion, that is America speaking when they placed their vote.
Instead of voicing such negativity, we should be singing, “And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today. Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A.,” sung by artist Lee Greenwood.
