Barack the President – Change begins tonight

On this historical, generational and unprecedented night after twenty-plus months of campaigning – I am proud to witness the election of the 44th president of the United States of America, my adopted country and the most consequential nation-state in history.   As a young Asian American coming-of-age in a post-9/11 world, voted only for the second presidential elections, having no personal memories of the struggles for Civil Rights, women’s suffrage, equality and global security, and being far removed from the deep scars of slavery and Jim Crow – I am grateful to be alive to usher in, with my fellow Americans, across generations, racial lines and cultural diversities, and along with weary eyes across the globe, a new generation of leadership embodied in the first Black and biracial President-elect whom I have observed and supported since his announcement for the presidency.   Beyond the sober verdict on the past eight years of foreign policy hubris, fiscal brashness and the betrayal of domestic trust and international respect – this decision begins a long road ahead for redemption. It starts on a forward-looking note by having the most powerful office in the world occupied by Barack Hussein Obama – a person of grand yet rooted vision, wise political instincts, skillful grasp of law and public policy, and an inspiring and transcendent biography for American and global citizens alike – from the emerging corners of Obama’s paternal ancestry, to the deferred dreams of urban decay where he worked amongst, and to the everyday determination and faith by Americans like his late maternal grandmother.

The excitement tonight is only matched by the tremendous challenges ahead.  The journey will be difficult in repairing our broken economy, divisive cultural fabric, international partnerships, unequal access to education, and the health of our democracy and health – period. It is my prayer that this moment is blessed by God, that change is really going to come, and America will be on the path toward repentance, healing and resurgence in diplomacy, innovation, sustainability and inclusiveness.  I pray that God will keep us humble in the midst of optimism, hopeful in the midst of crisis, and grant us the necessary strength, unity and creativity to work towards justice, peace, and wholeness.

Yes we did!  America has given itself a chance to renew its promise. Although tonight is a monumental milestone for a victory by the unlikeliest of candidates, it is most importantly a wake-up call for ordinary citizens with not only a vote, but a life to live fully and responsibly on behalf of our communities, our world, our children and our future.  We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.  Change begins tonight – let us get to work!

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