"Hi sweetheart. You've woken up in a changed world."
I don't care who you supported in the election or even maybe how you feel about Obama, but I hope you can see, regardless of your political preferences, how mind-blowingly incredible this week is. Just half a century ago, fires raged and protesters marched to bring the rights promised 200 years ago in the Constitution to all of America. And here we are in 2008 celebrating the rise of an African-American to the presidency. I think it's proof that humanity and unity can overcome bigotry and racism and hate. And yes, there are still lots of problems the country faces and I do not think Obama is by any means infallible, nor do I believe he'll be able to deliver on all of his promises. But what president ever has? I just think it's incredible that in just half a century we've progressed as a nation to the point where something like this is even possible, much less--or maybe much more--a reality.
Every single person I have talked to in the past couple months here in Portugal, and especially the past 2 days, is thrilled about Obama's race and election to the presidency. In America, it is generally known that much of the world is not thrilled with us right now for various reasons but I never really comprehended that until I got over here. It's fascinating listening to what non-Americans have to say about the election and the government. Portugal, and the Portuguese, are relatively neutral these days but nobody here is really a huge fan of President Bush, so they were all looking forward to us electing a new president, especially since the European economy has sort of been holding its breath, waiting to see what the American economy would do, which was in turn waiting on the election...Anyways, the point is that all of the Europeans I've met are thrilled that we have elected a new president and almost everybody is thrilled that we elected Obama.
Again, regardless of your political preferences, I hope you can understand how fascinating it is to be experiencing this from the other side of the world. I didn't realize how much people outside of the United States were following the campaigns. Many of my friends here know more about it than I do, which is either really embarassing or really impressive considering I'd been blowing off homework to follow the news...
It's sort of out of character for me to spend so much time focusing on politics but it's been just so interesting following the election so...bear with me for a few more minutes. If you're sick of my thoughts on politics, skip ahead to the section labeled "Toast."
My anthropology professor assigned us a spur of the moment paper to write about racism in the election and it's been very difficult to approach the election results in a completely analytical, academical sense without any emotion getting involved. I feel like this is an emotional (and not in a moody female way but in a I-can't-separate-my-heart-from-this way) event and a monumental one in our history as a country but even more so, it's a monumental event in my lifetime. I wasn't in Alabama or Mississippi in the 50s or 60s but I'm alive today and I sometimes feel like I can feel the world changing on a day to day basis. I felt so proud on Wednesday morning. Instead of having to defend myself as a Texan and American, I got to high five and hug and say "Yeah, I supported Obama!"
Even more impressive than the possibility and then reality of electing an African American to the presidency is just the sheer volume of voter turnout. Four years ago when they did the Rock the Vote campaign, the number of young people voting didn't increase that drastically despite all the money they poured into that effort. And then two men (and one woman if you go all the way back to the primaries) generated so much interest that numbers jumped higher than ever before. I don't know why you wouldn't want to vote; even if you're not crazy about either candidate, I feel that it's a shame to pass up a right that so many people fought for, shed blood for, gave their lives for. Generations upon generations of Americans and people all over the world never had--and often still don't--have the freedom to express themselves and influence their lives in the way that we can as Americans. It makes me sad that some people aren't able to vote because they can't get off work or out of school in time. And it's disappointing that apathy remains such a huge factor in those uncast ballots. I hope this election will help change that eventually too...
And last but not least, I wish I could've been in the US on Tuesday night to dance in the streets with my friends and celebrate the American dream coming to life. I can't wait to see what's in store for the next four years and beyond. To quote my friend Tomas, it's going to be "so totally Barack."
TOAST
Wednesday evening some of the Americans got together for a toast to the end of the presidential election and the eminent end of the Bush administration. We popped a bottle of champagne (the toast) and toasted bread on Noey's space heater (toast) We goofed around, not really feeling the need to talk about the election anymore since it feels like that's all we've been doing. One of our friends who is a McCain supporter declined the invitation to toast our new president but joined in the cheers for the end of eight years of Bush's policies. It was nice that despite our differences of opinion we could a) find some common ground and b) be civil adults about our differences. I watched McCain's concession speech and was disappointed by all the booing. I was really happy that we could all just get along.
That's about it for major things that happened this weekend. We visited a few museums for art history but they weren't that exciting so I don't feel the need to bore you to death. Instead, enjoy some honorable mentions and thank you readers for indulging me in my streak of caring about politics. Ate logo!
Honorable Mentions
- Backtrack to Daniel and Elena's adventures...on our way up to the Castelo, Daniel picked up a carob leaf off the ground and showed me how to eat it. It was not half bad, considering that I picked it up off the cobblestones of an 11th century castle. Not really something I would ever do outside of the influence of my persuasive cousin and the most perfect afternoon.
- Somebody tried to ask me something on the street the other day and as I tried to tell him I don't speak Portuguese, I instead said "Nao parler portugues" Parler is french for "speak," not Portuguese. whoops.
- I tried Portuguese fruit cake today at the grocery store. It also was not half bad. I did not eat this off the ground. Also, instead of making me walk around to sample, today they just brought it to me where I was standing in the aisle. Nice.
- I have decided that the Portuguese ideology of being constantly relaxed is bordering on pure apathy. I'm not sure I mind it that much, most of the time. It's not so fun when the escalators in Baixa Chiado, of which there are 4 very long ones, are not working and you have to climb hundreds of stairs just to leave the subway. And nobody is repairing them.
- I would like to reiterate the fact that people don't seem content to stay on the roads. I dodged a motorcycle on the sidewalk yesterday.
- I tried seitan, a cousin of tofu this week. The cantina here has a vegan line and a meat line, and the seitan stroganoff smelled delicious so I went for it. Not too shabby. My culinary tastes have expanded every so slightly. Thanks Portugal!
- I heard some people speaking English yesterday with an American accent, bringing my random-Americans-on-the-street count up to 6. There really aren't that many Americans here.
- Buying food at the grocery store is fairly cheap here. I bought orange juice, clementines, bread, a bottle of wine, futebol-shaped Cheetos (yeah!) and Pims for 6.33 euros. I'm really going to miss that aspect of my daily life here.
- Portuguese cheetos are not the same as American cheetos because they are made with real cheese. They also do not leave your hands orange and cheesy. It was an impulse buy and a very delicious one at that. The woman was not thrilled that I tried to give her 20.40 so I didn't have to get a lot of coins back. Honestly, of all the things to be picky about she goes for my choice of change. Where is the logic in that?
- I have developed a serious case of the Thursdays. Thursday afternoon history class has become the giggle seminar for Elena. For whatever reason, Portuguese exploits in the Indian Ocean are just that much funnier at 5:00 on a Thursday afternoon. It's a wonder my professor hasn't asked me to leave.
- My favorite security guard, Sergio, went on vacation and got moved to a different post when he got back so I don't get to see him anymore. I think it's indicative of the serious withdrawal I'm going to feel upon my return home.
1 comment:
SO BEAUTIFUL.
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