Yes We Can!

I am breathless.
I am speechless.
I am so proud and so hopeful and so very, very happy.

I watched the world change last night. I knew that for the rest of my life I would have to answer the question “Where were you on 9/11?” but now I will also have the supreme pleasure of answering the question “Where were you when Obama became president?” I was with friends, we were watching the Daily Show and Jon Stewart told us that Obama had won, and I said, “Check the real news!” and we did and then we screamed and danced and hugged and cried. Much champagne was drunk, much laughing done and revelations were announced as they came, “We have a Constitutional Law Professor in the Oval Office!” I particularly enjoyed his victory speech; I appreciate the call to service, not just service in uniform but in every way that you can serve your country. I feel so wonderful about my job. I feel so proud of my country. I am going to frame my little “I voted!” sticker and my ballot receipt.

I was privileged to see Obama at the ALA convention in 2005 in Chicago. (http://closedstacks.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/remember-when-obama-spoke-a...) He gave a stirring and passionate speech. He talked about the library and librarians of his youth. He was intelligent and charming and funny. I went to see him because someone told me that this guy, Senator Obama from Illinois, was supposedly a really amazing orator. I was a debater in high school; I can always get down for a good speech, so I went. I came out of that event and told anyone and everyone that this guy was going places and I hoped so much that he would run for president “some day.” Watching my world change last night is something that I will always remember. I don’t think that America is going to become instantly perfect. I know that this country has a lot of hard work to do and a lot of serious issues to face. Obama will make me very happy, but he will probably piss me off too. However, I know that he is going to lead me well. He’s going to give me and everyone else high standards to live up to and I believe we will all be able to rise to them.

Pardon my sentimentality. Pardon my schmaltz. I’ll regain my big city cynicism soon and I'll be back to talking about libraries like I'm supposed to.

For now I’m just going to enjoy the fact that hope prevailed over fear.

Yours,
the bookish bluestocking