What Is Up With This World?

TODAY WAS TRULY A DAY that will go down in history as one that was a long time coming. Throughout the election's ups and downs, we proved, as American citizens, that nothing can hold us back from our dreams. No woman, no minority can be held back any longer.

Not only did today go down in the annals of history as the day the first African-American president was sworn in, but it also served as proof that our children can be anything they put their minds to - no longer can any of us use the excuse that, "Oh, I can't do that because I am African-American" or "They won't elect a woman" - any things of that sort. Today proved the naysayers wrong. Today was proof positive that the underdog can win. Today was proof that anybody, even the son of an African immigrant, can do anything he sets his brilliant mind to do.

I have always been proud to say I am an American, but today, I have much more for which I can be proud. Today was validation. Today was one of those days where I sat back and relaxed for a brief moment. We will always have struggles and adversity to overcome, but today was a good day - a day that let me know that all that the civil rights leaders fought for was not for naught. Today, I did not have to sit and wonder if my beliefs were so far removed from everyone else's that something is wrong with ME - finally, I AM part of a majority and no longer one of the minorities, in terms of my opinions reagarding fairness, equality and social justice.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Martin Luther King, Jr. were always two people from history whom I admired greatly. Elizabeth Cady Stanton gained my admiration as I learned what she had done for American females. Through her bravery, she helped us gain the right to vote - something that so many had tried to keep us away from ever being able to do. Dr. King - he fought bravely for so many things. The naysayers will have you believe that he meant no one any good, but that is not a true statement. He helped women and minorities and if the truth be known - all of us. For Dr. King fought for what was right and he did not die in vain. Today, I know both Ms. Stanton and Dr. King are looking down on us from heaven above with great smiles on their respective faces.

Today, just like everyday, I am proud to call myself an American. We all deserve so much better than what we have had in the past and I pray that President Obama makes all of us proud - especially the naysayers.