I'm a hardened cynic, and I expect to cry tonight

[LucyParsons]

I've said all along that, even though I like to think the America I believe in is fully capable of nominating a black man, and America at large is fully able to elect a black man, and even though I would be equally struck-in-the-stomach with sudden shock/pride if (when!) the first woman is in this position (despite my dislike of this particular woman candidate, I'm sure, just like the first time I heard, "Madam Speaker", I would be moved), I would probably cry when it actually, really happened. And when we all sat in front of our TVs one night and saw it happen, something to tell our grandchildren about.

I think when the magnitude of this hits all of us - and not just DUers, or Democrats, or liberals, but all Americans except the most anachronistic and hopeless racists - we will experience a moment of timelessness, of wonder, of pride, of the knowledge of being IN HISTORY, a moment of previously unimaginable reality.

I'm not editing this, and it's not the most eloquent post ever (even by me), but I wanted to say it. I'm extremely cynical, despise most members of both parties, usually filled with a mix of disbelief and fear at the state of our public discourse. But this is a moment of no return. For the better. This is a watershed.

This is a lantern in a modest Boston church steeple; a speech asking, demanding, "and ain't I a woman?"; a Gettysburg address; a Seattle general strike; a rain of ticker-tape in Times Square; a woman refusing to give up her seat on an everday city bus; a man seen, grainily, setting foot on the moon. This is a moment in which the promise of the Declaration of Independence comes closer to being fulfilled, when America grows into its potential.

I am not a sentimental person. I don't know what a President Obama will do about so, so many issues, and he wasn't my first, or second, choice. The burden will be on him to convince us that, as he claimed in regards to the Declaration, words have power, and can spur change.

But I am proud, and hopeful. Yes, hopeful.

[Why Syzygy]

1. I'm with you.

I get choked up at a lot of his speeches. I am so thrilled to be alive to see this day!

[DB1]

2. Nice to cry out of joy instead of shame.... for a change.

[Happyhippychick]

9. The last time I cried over politics is when Bush won in 2000.

I didn't cry in 2004 because I was so fucking pissed off.

And I have been crying all day because I am so proud.

[DB1]

10. This is a great day, with many more to follow. The pendulem is swinging back and to the left.

[JNelson6563]

19. I cried out of frustration in 2004

There I was on the couch, hadn't even started getting over my hang-over and then here comes Kerry "No need to finish counting the votes, you go ahead and take it again George". I spent the next hour crying and vomiting intermittently.

I'm still sickened by it. I musta put in 40-50 hours a week for many months as a volunteer in my home county. Abandoned family and home and all. I'll never do that again (no, thank YOU Senator Kerry) and that was after my broken heart over Dean in the primary.

I won't be crying tonight but I sure as hell will be able to muster a lot more enthusiasm for this nominee than our last. At least we *know* this one won't back down in the face of, well, of whatever may come.

Julie

[NightWatcher]

3. maybe we are progressing just a little from that country that used to keep slaves

and where women and "freed blacks" could not own property or vote. Maybe we are slowly heading towards the day where we become as good as we know we should be.

[Caution]

4. I have cried exactly 3 times in the past 15 years

The day the Red Sox won the World series in 2004, knowing that my Uncle should have been alive to see it
Election day 2004 when my country let me down
The day Speaker Pelosi gaveled in a new Congress and brought back faith in America.

I expect to cry again tonight.

[NatBurner]

5. no words

except:
ditto

and

rec'd

[Aloha Spirit]

6. We need some hugs up in here!

[Aloha Spirit]

8. Another one ;-)

[LucyParsons]

7. I'm also so, so happy for all the African-Americans who will be watching this along with me on TV

I can't imagine how they must feel.

I keep thinking back, thinking of all the pain, and struggle, and unstoppable will to survive of so many black people - slaves, the builders of America; the first black educators, and writers; people risking everything on the Underground Railroad; soldiers, black and white, who died to end American slavery; those thousands of Americans who suffered under the "freedom" of Jim Crow, who were abused, exploited, lynched; children who grew up hearing the word "nigger" lobbed at them by empowered ignorance; the thousands of nameless heroes of the civil rights movement.

I can't even wrap my mind around what this means. I am grateful to be alive to see this, and I can't stop thinking of all those others, those Americans who suffered, and fought, and survived, and died, and wishing they could know.

[BklynChick]

11. I've already lost it several times today.

[Doityourself]

12. yeah..it's one of those occasions for tears..of joy!!

[FrenchieCat]

13. We will get this done, as the world watches.......

We are ushering in the 21st Century, finally!

[Shakespeare]

14. Me, too, Lucy--me, too.

I've had a hard time keeping it together at work today. I'm so excited and so moved by what tonight signifies.

[ananda]

15. I cried today..

.. when it was first announced that Jimmy
Carter is going to endorse Obama today,
and again when I gave the message to my
sister.

That was such a sweet, touching, powerful,
emotional moment for me.

[Coexist]

16. I've already gotten weepy a couple times reading these posts.

[Doityourself]

17. I HAVE A DREAM.......LAWD lawd lawd lawd!

[Matariki]

18. nice post

[stillcool]

20. I'm waiting to exhale...

[LucyParsons]

24. That middle one's about a half mile from me

:)

[stillcool]

25. the very best part of this...

primary season was reading the posts, and seeing pictures like these from DU'ers. Youtube has been great too!

[FrenchieCat]

21. Kicking about the Hillary Threads....cause today is not about her!

[snappyturtle]

22. I know all the tears I've stored up for eight years will flow tonite....

but these are tears of relief and confidence in Sen.Obama. I bet he gives one of his super duper speeches tonight. I cried during and after his 2004 convention speech! I said to my not then hubby that night that Obama should be the one running. Am I psychic? HA!

[Patsy Stone]

23. Agreed

It's a historic and emotional night for all Americans.

K&R

[LucyParsons]

26. shameless self kick

shameless