Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: Opinion

As the high tide of thrilled American supporters crashed into applause, glancing through bulletproof glass walls, America's president-elect Barack Obama appeared in his element on Nov. 4.

Marking the dawn of the most recent chapter of American history, the first African-American president would sway the immigrant nation down the stream of its Founding Fathers' core principles.

"It's the answer spoken by … Americans who sent out a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals," Obama said, "or a collection of red states and blue states.

"We are, and will always be, the United States of America."

The same America that had struggled with issues of race, issues of religion, issues of color and issues of a divided class would be joined by a common, educated and committed leader.

Taking the tumultuous reins from George W. Bush would allow Obama to make history on the night of his acceptance speech.

It is not merely Obama's skin color, his social status or his political party that creates his identity. It's the result of a leadership approach that hopes for change by touching on the common denominator of the diverse community that is joined with a single cause.

And while Obama addressed his nation with an unfaltering voice of patriotism, the entire world awaited its share of the 17-minute speech by the new president of the most powerful country in the world.

Obama, who held a calm poise before the American people and the world, is known as an amateur concerning the vital foreign policy of the United States. It is what makes those who doubt him uneasy about the future.

But for many, Obama is the first step in raising America back to its feet.

He highlights the difference that the United States has maintained as compared with the rest of the world. It is the reality of America, the fruitful land of dreams.

In fact, the New York Times has reported on the impact the American election has had on European countries such as France, which started reflecting on its own possible civil rights movement.

Despite the plethora of political analysts and notable characters commenting on this memorable day in history, one cannot help but turn back to the first chapter of the United States' history.

Who would've thought that 200 years after Thomas Jefferson stepped out of the White House on March 4, 1809, that the American people would turn out in record-breaking numbers to elect Barack Hussein Obama the 44th president of the United States of America?

And who would've imagined that such a young president, at the age of 47, could gather so much dignity and poise standing in front of the world, days after his grandmother had passed away, with unshakable strength and peace of mind?

The American people will welcome president-elect Barack Obama as he crosses the bridge to the start of his presidency on Jan. 20, 2009. Upon his inauguration, they will welcome hope, change and unity.

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